[FR] Vacation in the south of France Part 1: Marseille

Bonjour,

I have spent a week in Marseille to visit the city and do some trips to other cities in southern France. Aside from a lot of sightseeing, I managed to catch some tram and railway pictures. I will start my report in Marseille. After arriving in Marseille I bought a 72h tram-bus-metro pass, dropped my bags in the hotel and started the (metro) sightseeing trip.

Rubber-Métro

The Métro network consists of two lines (m1 and m2). It went into service in 1977. The trains run on rubber tyres.

A train in "my" station "Joliette", which was located a 5min walk from my hotel.


The interieur design is more functional and vandalism-resistent than actually beautiful


The overpass at "Castellane" station of line m2 offers a nice view down unto the tracks


A picture takes from the steps down to the platform.


This train will terminate here and return outbound, because servicse through downtown were suspended due to a suicide attempt. The annoucements put the information in some nicer words: "Suite d'un incident independent de notre volonté ..." / "Due to an incident beyond our control...."). Very tourist-friendly (and pretty uncommon in France): The announcements were in Frensh and English. Simliar to announcements at SNCF rail stations, they began with a jingle.

On the outskirts of Marseille, the Métro runs overground section. After leaving "Bougainville" this train of line m1 runs down the ramp and heads towards downtown.


Impressions from my favourite overground section in the vicinity of "Malpassé" station








From an architectural point of view, most (old) stations were pretty unimpressive and relatively dark. But decide for yourself: Joliette station.


In contrast station "Blancarde": newer, brighter and a lot more spacious


Some stations were decorated with artwork. As "Joliette" is located in the old port quarter, now revitalized as the "Euromediteranée" quarter, the artwork pays reference to its ship heritage


Stone mosaics and light art in "Vieux Port" station


A reflection on the "real" trains running above: Artwork of a TGV in "St Charles" station


A peak into the Métro tunnel at "Vieux Port"


The stairs at "La Fourragère" reminded me, that some stations are pretty deep below the surface


Enought about the métro. The tram is next.

Tram

The tram network has two lines. A third one was in testing when I was there. It is supposed to enter revenue service end of May. The trams have a unique design. In the beginning I was a bit skeptical, but in retrospect I liked it. Looks much better in reality than in pictures .


"Noailles" (T1) station is the only one below the surface. A single track tunnel connects it to the next station "Eugène Pierre" (The tunnel is a remainder of Marseilles old tram network).


The tram has left "Eugène Pierre" and runs into the tunnel heading to "Noailles"


The tram returns


Sharp contrast to the special design of the trams: The station have a no frills look and feel.


A look inside the tram. The seats are hard as hell and the back forces you to sit straight. Tinted windows in combination with blinds protect from direct sun light.


T2 approaching its terminus "Arenc Le Silo"


Just ouside my hotel: The T2 in the "Euromediteranée" quarter


Looked really nice after dark




T2 makes a turn in front of "Palais Longchamps" and heads to "La Blancarde"


The "Palais Longchamps". Children were bathing in the basin of the fountain. I cannot blame them, because the temperature rose to 26°C that day.


Tram running along the Boulevard Longchamp


Nice paint job


"real" Rail

A mixed bouquet of pictures taken in St Charles, Marseilles main station.

I really, really, really like the design of the class BB 22200 locomotives


It shows its beauty next to a TGV


Train quartett: TGV, BB 22200, AVE and diesel power


Lowcost meets International: Ouigo to Marne la Vallée and the AVE to Madrid side by side


Since May a regular guest in Marseille: The Eurostar.


The facade of St. Charles


Trees in the station hall


The stairs down to Boulevard Nédelec


Testing, 123, Testing


Sighseeing

I want to wrap this up, with some sightseeing pictures. It preside over the city: The church "Notre Dame de la garde"


The inside is worth a visit too.


The square in front of the church offers a great view over the city of Marseille. The old port


A landmark: The stadium


The sea


The bus ride to the church is an adventure: A little bus runs along small, winding roads. As it is crowed as a box of sardines, no need to hold on .

An eyecatcher by day and by night: The Mucem.




Right next door: The "Villa Méditerranée"


The cathedral "La Major" and the triangle-shaped "Musée Regards de Provence"


The "Major" at night


Art in the "Euromediterranée"-Viertel. Title: "It takes two to tango".


Mirror art at the exit of Métro "Vieux Port"


Whenever I see these, I cannot believe that these things still exist in France


Nice to look at: The court building ("Palais de Justice")


A three-master for the rich


A have to quote Monty Python on this: "This is an Ex-Parrot". The zoo of Marseille closed in the 80s. A few years ago, the cages were "revitalized" with models of animals in flashy colours


My favourite: The Crocodile


A surprise on the return trip: A track closure (following a derailment of a freight train), required a detour via Strasbourg for the trains running between Francfurt to Paris. So I managed to catch an unusual guest: An ICE in Strabourg


This concludes my little report about Marseille. I really liked the city and can highly recommend to go there to visit. I am looking forward to you feedback.

Adieu
Charly