Comments on: A Few Ordinary Days in Marseille

By: John Tynan

John Tynan — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:43:56 +0000

Hi Sidney,

Thanks for the post. I agree, it’s a puff piece for sure. But hey, I’m on vacation… I here to support my wife, who’s in Marseille for two months to try her hand at freelance radio reporting from France.

But you’re right. Rene and I were just talking tonight, walking home from dinner, how the cars get pretty banged up here.

I wonder, what brings you here, and what’s kept you here this past year? Maybe you could fill us in on more of the “quality of life” here in Marseille.

By: Sidney Falco

Sidney Falco — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:53:42 +0000

Your ridiculous puff piece about Marseille failed to mention the city streets clogged with cars and motorbikes that, worst in France, are parked on sidewalks. The motorbikes, in fact, are routinely DRIVEN on sidewalks. The image that, I think, best expresses Marseille is that of an undulating junk yard. Don’t expect to take a walk in Marseille in peace. I’m an American living in Marseille for the past year.

By: John Tynan

John Tynan — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:08:47 +0000

Thanks Chris! ‘Appreciate the tip. Thanks for pointing us in the right direction

You are right. Marseille is, of course, too interesting not to get off the main boulevard and explore.

We’ve been out to Frioul and have plans to check out the Le Corbusier’s Unité. But if you have any further suggestions, please feel free to let us know.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:01:55 +0000

You missed the big old soap factories in Marseille. There are only two left and the little shop you visited on Cours Julien is not one of them (though it is a charming little family-run factory with fantastic soaps). I get mine delivered via http://marseillesoap.com by the way. But I guess if your hitting the Monoprix and McDonald’s there, you might be a little lost in Marseille.