F*ck Marseille, Go to Cassis
By Ashonté S. Lyles
We were thrilled to introduce Marseille to my parents, reminiscing about our visit in 2016 during a whirlwind journey through Barcelona, Spain, with a brief stop in Carcassonne, France, before a short overnight stay in Marseille.
Fast forward to 2023, and our Mediterranean escapade documented in my Destination Diaries—"Cruising the Mediterranean” Series, brought us to Marseille once again, courtesy of Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas. Exiting the ship, we were excited to relive the magic of our earlier visit. Following the advice of our My Time Dining Hosts, Princess, and John, we secured a taxi.
NOTE:
For insights on ship-to-shore options, head to my “Tips & Tricks” section in “Know Before You GEAUX: To Shuttle or Not to Shuttle.”
However, our French taxi driver had different plans. From the moment we stepped into his cab, he sang the praises of Cassis. He dismissed Marseille with a disdainful "POUAH! POUAH! Marseille is just a busy city, with high crime, and the traffic is well you see—it will take us 25 minutes for this short 6 km, and the pollution, just awful.” But he extolled the virtues of Cassis—its pristine beaches, picturesque harbor, and exquisite cuisine.
Despite his persuasive arguments throughout the entire drive, we remained committed to exploring Marseille. When Marlon and I travel we seek everything that comes with a city like Marseille. We strive to fully immerse ourselves in the essence of a city, seeking authentic experiences rather than being confined to typical tourist traps where we learn little about the true essence of the place. We often refer to such resorts or resort towns, as beautiful cages. However, as he continued to regale us with tales of Cassis's allure, we couldn't help but wonder if we were missing out.
Through My Eyes: Did You Know – Cassis?
The picturesque coastal town is cradled in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (French Riviera) region in southern France. Cassis boasts stunning natural beauty, epitomized by the Calanques National Park with inlets carved into steep limestone cliffs and sapphire waters. The vibrant Cassis Harbor, lined with colorful buildings and bustling cafes, serves up fresh seafood daily. And renowned Cassis white wine made primarily from the Marsanne, Clairette, and Ugni Blanc grape varieties, famous for its crisp taste and citrus notes.
Calanques National Park | Cassis Harbor | Cassis Blanc | Provence Lavendar Fields
We thanked the Cassis enthusiast for his insights, promising to consider his recommendation after our Marseille exploration. As we departed, his parting words lingered, a blunt assessment of our choice, “You will regret bringing your parents to Marseille!”
See Cassis for yourself, click here.
Reflections from Marseille
Reflecting and laughing among ourselves, Marlon said, “It’s like he just said ‘F*ck Marseille!’” Our day in Marseille unfolded as an adventure, chronicled in Destination Diaries: "Cruising the Mediterranean – Bienvenue à Marseille” We laughed about the taxi driver's warning because while Marseille may not appeal to everyone, it was another unforgettable experience for us.
Pension bill protests 2023 - Marseille, France: My kind of people!
Some may say "F*ck Marseille," but for us, it's all about embracing the vibrant chaos of the city. And as for Cassis? Well, perhaps it's a story for another day.
“Viva la Marseille! A bientôt Cassis.”
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