Visiting

In case you would like to take advantage of your trop to Marseille to visit the area before or after the conference, here are some recommandations from local organizers. Of course, feel three to ask them for more details on-site.

Laurent’s three suggestions :

- walk (or run) along the Corniche, which extends from the Pharo palace to the Prado beaches along the sea with a view on the Frioul islands and the famous « Château d’If ». 

- have a stop at the « Cours Julien », a well known lively place full of terraces, trees and graffities (15 min walk from the « Vieux port »)

- visit the old city of Allauch, an authentic village from Provence on a hill north-east of Marseille, to enjoy historical mills and a 270° view from the Calanques to the Camarague (access by bus)

Brieuc's three suggestions :

- Walk in the streets of the oldest district of Marseille "Le Panier" where typical old façades are colored, and the streets are full of flowers thanks to its careful people. (15 min walk from Vieux Port)

-Have a drink in Cours d'Estienne d'Orves located right next to the Vieux Port, a bit less typical than Cours Julien, there are also a lot of restaurants on adjacent streets (especially near the Opera where "Pain à l'ail" a street food restaurant that serve revisited version of provencal dishes)

- Climb up to the highest point of Marseille: Notre Dame de La Garde. This basilica will give you a very nice panorama on Marseille city under the surveillance of "La Bonne Mère". (during PRE the golden statue of Mary will be undergoing renovation work) (about 40 minutes of very steep walk from the conference site or take bus 60 from Vieux Port or the tourist Marseille's Little Train)

James' three suggestions : 

- Parc Pastré is one of Marseille's biggest parks, home to Château Pastré (built in 1862) and a doorway to the Marseilleveyre massif and the Calanques National Park. Both contain pine forests, Provençal "garrigue" scrubland, well-marked hiking trails, majestic limestone summits and cliffs, and of course beautiful views of Marseille and the Mediterranean. The main entrance to Parc Pastré can be reached in ~ 1 hour from the Vieux Port via bus/metro.

- Les Goudes and Callelongue are fishing port districts in the South of Marseille. With bars, restaurants, ice cream stores and the attractive "cabanons" or old fishing huts that represent part of the character of Marseille, they are also in close proximity to the Calanques National Park and are surrounded by impressive topography and plentiful hiking trails. Les Goudes/Callelongue can be reached in ~ 1 hour from the Vieux Port via bus/metro

- Palais Longchamp was built in the 19th century to hold drinking water for the city; mainly featuring an eye-catching, ornamental fountain flanked by the two wings of the palace (which have now become natural history and art museums) but also a park and old botanical garden, and the historic observatory of Marseille (which is unfortunately closed to the public). Palais Longchamp can be reached in ~15-30 minutes from the Vieux Port via metro/tram/bus