2016-08-19 Calanque de Morgiou to Vieux Port, Marseille, Provence, France

An amazing overnight anchorage in Calanque Morgiou

The scenery as we leave the bay and motor along the coast was absolutely extraordinary

Approaching Calanque de Sormiou one of the larger calanques along this coast as we continue west

A small cluster of houses and a couple of restaurants lie at the head of the bay

Bec Sormiou the steep headland at the mouth of the deep steep sided calanque

Ile Riou is the southernmost island of a small group off the coast near the calanques

Looking back east to the extraordinary Les Calanques coastline

Continuing along we pass Calanque de Marseilleveyre with it’s massive cliffs

In summer a small restaurant opens here with fishing being the most popular pastime

Ahead we see the narrow passage between Ile Maire and Cap Croisette as we near Marseille

With such a narrow channel and very shallow depths we decide to play it safe and go around the island

By Ile Maire scuba diving trips are popular, perhaps diving on ship wrecks near the narrow passage!!

Several lookouts have been carved into the solid rock around the small island

Our first glimpses of Marseille

In Rade de Marseille there are some islands, Ile d’If, the smallest, Ile Ratonneau and Ile Pomegues which are joined by a causeway

Ile d’If has a fortified medieval chateau which was used as a prison for many centuries

Approaching the entrance to the old harbour of Marseille

We enter the port as the Le Don du Vent departs

As we near the port , the 13th century Fort of St Jean is on our port side

The square iconic King Rene Tower was built later in the 15th century

We approach the entrance to Vieux Port which was a natural calanque when first deveoped as an ancient port

Today there are literally thousands of boats on quays in the large harbour

Looking back to to the entrance of the old port

Once we arrive in the port we are shown to our berth, which are few and far between, so booking is certainly advisable especially in the busy months

There are plenty of small local boats towards the head of the harbour

Oliver and Sarah, the friendly mooring staff from Vieux port who assisted us getting the Tangaroa into a tight pier

From the end of our pier at the marina we can see the Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica on the hill in the distance

We set off in the evening, after making a booking in a nice restaurant

The military presence is very obvious in Marseille, as it was in Nice while we were there recently

The wide pedestrian friendly promenade along the waterfront by the marina

Looking towards the entrance to the big harbour

The ferris wheel at the head of the harbour is very popular in Marseille

The rectangular mirrored structure attracts thousands of passers by everyday here in Marseille

We finally arrive at La Table Du Fort Restaurant in a small side street on the opposite side of the port from our berth

Very elegant, quiet with sophisticated decor in our restaurant choice tonight

Ric orders a light French red to match the restaurant’s set menu

Tasty tuna with salad

Lovely lobster ravioli

Beautiful beef with vegetables

Fabulous fish with broad beans

Poached pear and peach

Chocolate tart

……with a pistachio cream centre….yum

Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica glowing on the hillside across the harbour as we return to the Tangaroa