National Geographic Day Tour: Marseille - Capital of Diversity
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Port
Marseille (Provence), France
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All,61
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$199.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 6 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Explore Marseille’s Old Port and experience a unique peek into daily life in the city. Soak up the multi-ethnic atmosphere in the old quarters and hidden streets, discovering the stories of the neighborhoods and the families that call them home, many hailing from Syria or Africa. This tour enables you to get a fresh perspective on this characterful city, meet community members, and learn about the association that helps newcomers with social inclusion in their adopted city.
Your local guide will show you spice shops and open-air fruit markets, and in the Noailles District you will taste specialties including local Tunisian pastries known as ‘makroudhs’ and ‘Corne de gazelle’ served with a mint tea at a renowned neighborhood shop.
Lunch at a family-owned Middle Eastern restaurant introduces you to authentic Syrian mezze - houmous, samoussa, falafel, labneh, and more, complemented by conversations with the Syrian owners about their migration and establishment in Marseille.
Post-lunch, meet Thérése and Ali – fondly known as ‘The Patriarch,’ from the Belsunce District, part of the ACAM (Association of Merchants and Artisans of Marseille – Belsunce). You’ll have the honor of talking to them about their migration stories and the economic ties they maintain with their home countries.
Finish off the tour with a fun Arabic calligraphy workshop, and a fruit juice drink from Côte d’Ivoire. Take home your piece of calligraphy, a gift from Anis d’Alep, and a deeper knowledge of Marseille's eclectic culture.
Notes: Wear comfortable walking shoes.Uneven surfaces, some stairs, uphill and downhill, must be able to walk approximately 6 miles.