Excursions in Marseille and neighborhoods
Marseille and Provence constitute an unique destination to discover or revisit (Marseille Tourisme Office: http://www.marseille-tourisme.com/en/). The scientific program will be complemented with an offer of evening events (cocktail, artistic event, large audience outreach talk), half-day excursions in the historical city area and the gorgeous neighborhoods and a memorable conference dinner preceded by a concert in one of the historical Provence castle. Marseille Provence was designated as the 2013 European Capital of Culture. All throughout the year 2013, hundreds of cultural and artistic events will be staged across the Provence region, from Arles to Toulon. Artistic and cultural disciplines of all kinds will be present for this major event, ranging from contemporary dance to gastronomy, visual and performing arts, and scholarly conferences. Art will also be on display in public areas. More details here: http://www.mp2013.fr/ .
Thursday excursions
Excursion to Cassis and its famous Creeks
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Departure from Palais des Congrès – Parc Chanot – Rond Point du Prado – 13008 Marseille
Metro Line 2 “Rond Point du Prado” Station
13:30 – 19:00
22 km east of Marseille, Cassis is a small village located in a sheltered bay between two "Classified Natural Sites": the Cap Canaille and the Massif des Calanques.
To the east, Cap Canaille is the home of the highest cliffs in Europe at a 416 m overhang to the sea. To the west, between Cassis and Marseille, the Massif des Calanques offers a beautifully coloured landscape that encompasses the blue sky of Provence, the Mediterranean Sea, green pine forests and white limestone cliffs.
The tour includes a boat trip to some creeks between Marseille and Cassis, free time in Cassis to visit the village and wine tasting to discover typical wine of Provence.
Buses will leave from Marseille at 13:30 to take you to Cassis. You will then take a miniature train to the boat departure area, situated directly on the harbour. Buses will bring you back to Marseille at the end of the day, to the conference venue.
Rate: 90 Euros per person (on a basis of 30 people minimum) including:
- Bus from Marseille and miniature train to reach Cassis and the city centre
- Boat trip to visit 3 creeks
- Wine tasting in a Cassis vineyard
- Free time in Cassis
Please note that all tours are based on a minimum number of 30 participants. If a tour has to be cancelled due to a low number of participants, the tour fee will be refunded in full. All refunds will be processed immediately after the conference.
Marseille visit
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Departure from Marseille Tourist Office – 4 La Canebière – 13001 Marseille
Metro Line 1 “Vieux Port” Station
14:00 – 18:00
The afternoon will begin with a guided visit of the Panier District by foot, and end with a visit to a soap factory.
One of the city's oldest districts, the Panier is where the ancient Phocaeans first settled and founded the city of Massilia. Using the 18th-century Hôtel-Dieu and Notre Dame des Accoules church tower (17th-19th century) as reference points, which lead to the foot of Montée des Accoules - a series of steep flights of steps typical of old Marseilles - lead right to the heart of the district and a pedestrians' paradise. Once home to the ancient city's Greek agora (a public open space used for assemblies and markets), Place de Lenche still bustles with life and has its own market, restaurants and theatre. At the summit of the old town is the Place des Moulins, which in the 16th century lived up to its name with no less than fifteen flourmills. These days the fountain and school help maintain its village square tranquillity and charm. Representing an important industrial tradition in Marseille, the soap factories have contributed to the city's reputation and continue to do so today. We recommend you to take comfortable shoes and a hat.
Rate: 15 Euros per person (on a basis of 30 people minimum) including:
- English-speaking tourist guide
- Visit of a soap factory
Please note that all tours are based on a minimum number of 30 participants. If a tour has to be cancelled due to a low number of participants, the tour fee will be refunded in full. All refunds will be processed immediately after the conference.
