National Geographic Day Tour: The Story of Pastis
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Port
Marseille (Provence), France
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$189.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4¾ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Meet your National Geographic guide., Jean-Pierre L’Enfant, and transfer together to Les Docks, a recently refurbished warehouse district that was built in the mid-1800s to relieve boat traffic at the Vieux Port. Your destination is the Mx Experience, an interactive museum dedicated to star-anise and pastis and their integral role in Provençal history and culture.
Meaning “mixture” in the Provençal dialect, local pastis has long been made locally by macerating herbs that grow wild in the dry Mediterranean scrub, or garrigue. Most associated with aniseed and fennel—which are used in other Mediterranean spirits such as Italian sambuca and Greek ouzo—pastis can also incorporate verbena, thyme, rosemary, and other native botanicals.
Discover the intriguing story of Paul Ricard, an artist, environmentalist, and entrepreneur who guided his “true pastis” through two world wars and the tumultuous events of 1968 before forming one of the world’s largest spirits companies.
Head to the adjacent headquarters of Pernod Ricard to see memorabilia associated with Paul Ricard and take part in a private “pastisologie” workshop with a staff member. In an area usually off-limits to the public, you’ll get acquainted with the properties of Provençal botanicals and learn to identify their scents and uses. Find out how distilling pastis has evolved over the decades, and sample three different varieties of pastis including appetizers that incorporate the spirit. Through the experience, soak up the aromas and flavors that embody the south of France.