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

 An amazing overnight anchorage in Calanque Morgiou
An amazing overnight anchorage in Calanque Morgiou
The scenery as we leave the bay and motor along the coast was absolutely extraordinary
The scenery as we leave the bay and motor along the coast was absolutely extraordinary

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 Approaching Calanque de Sormiou one of the larger calanques along this coast as we continue west
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
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
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
Ile Riou is the southernmost island of a small group off the coast near the calanques
back east to the extraordinary Les Calanques
Looking back east to the extraordinary Les Calanques coastline
Continuing along we pass Calanque de Marseilleveyre with it's massive cliffs
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
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
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
With such a narrow channel and very shallow depths we decide to play it safe and go around the island

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By Ile Maire scuba diving trips are popular, perhaps diving on ship wrecks near the narrow passage!!
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
Several lookouts have been carved into the solid rock around the small island
Our first glimpses of Marseille
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
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
Ile d’If has a fortified medieval chateau which was used as a prison for many centuries
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
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
As we near the port , the 13th century Fort of St Jean is on our port side
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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
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
Today there are literally thousands of boats on quays in the large harbour
Looking back to to the entrance of the old port
Looking back to to the entrance of the old port

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 Once we arrive in the port we are shown to our berth
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 boats in the head of the harbour
There are plenty of small local boats towards the head of the harbour
Oliver and Sarah, the friendly mooring staff from Vieux port
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
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
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 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
The wide pedestrian friendly promenade along the waterfront by the marina

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Looking towards the entrance to the big harbour
Looking towards the entrance to the big harbour

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The ferris wheel at the head of the harbour is very popular in Marseille
The ferris wheel at the head of the harbour is very popular in Marseille
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The rectangular mirrored structure attracts thousands of passers by everyday here in Marseille

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We finally arrive at La Table Du Fort Restaurant in a small side street on the opposite side of the port from our berth
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 and sophisticated  decor in our restaurant choice
Very elegant, quiet with sophisticated decor in our restaurant choice tonight
Ric orders a light French red to match the restaurant's set  menu
Ric orders a light French red to match the restaurant’s set menu
Tasty tuna with salad
Tasty tuna with salad
Lovely lobster ravioli
Lovely lobster ravioli
Beautiful beef with vegetables
Beautiful beef with vegetables
Fabulous fish with broad beans
Fabulous fish with broad beans
Poached pear and peach
Poached pear and peach
Chocolate tart
Chocolate tart
......with a pistachio cream centre
……with a pistachio cream centre….yum
Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica glowing on the hillside across the harbour
Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica glowing on the hillside across the harbour as we return to the Tangaroa

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