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Marseille: Le Panier

Greco Roman Marseille

Le Panier

Situated to the north of the Vieux Port this is the area is where the Greeks settled 2600 years ago to be followed later by the Romans. In fact Le Panier (meaning the Basket) has been the first port of call for successive waves of immigrants over the centuries, most recently from North Africa and Viet Nam.

Le Panier expanded considerably after the Middle Ages but unfortunately a lot of it was destroyed during the WW2 when the Nazis cleared the area of most of its population as well as tearing down their houses. Unfortunately, much of this housing was replaced by the typically 1950s Brutalist Architecture which lines the Quai du Port.

Nevertheless there is much to see here including the restored former Hospice of la Vieille Charité and the Romano-Byzantine Cathédrale-de-la-Major built during the mid 19th century.

Cathedral de la Major Marseille

Cathédrale de la Major

Something Greek? Well, there isn’t much left but you could visit the Place des Lenches built on the site of the Agora or Greek forum. Here you can enjoy the daily morning market and watch the locals getting their supplies. Perhaps you could treat yourself and buy some of the wonderful fresh produce for your own consumption!

Practical Info Practical Info icon

Département: Bouches-du-Rhône.

www.marseille-provence.info

Marseille

Text © Paul Shawcross

Images by Paul Shawcross