There is a new Museum in Marseille, the MuCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations). I didn't see the exhibitions yet but the architecture and the location are worth the visit. It's situated between the Old Harbor and the seaport near the Cathedral of La Major, with a view on the Pharo Palace and with an access by the Fort Saint Jean ( Read more... )

During Antiquity Provence was a roman province for a long time. That's why there are cities possessing interesting vestiges (Arles, Nîmes, Vaison-la-Romaine...). One probably won't find impressive vestiges as arenas again but worthwhile things are still dug up. For exemple in 2007 in Rhones river near Arles people found pieces of statues. The ( Read more... )

With Les Misérables winning three Acadamy Awards two days ago, one shouldn't forget the author of the original novel: it's Victor Hugo' birthday today (26 February 1802 - 22 May 1885 ( Read more... )

Do you know when did dueling end in France?

In 1967. Well, officially.

That last duel was between Gaston Defferre, socialist deputy and mayor of Marseille and the gaullist deputy from Seine-et-Oise, René Ribière. During a debate at the French National Assembly, Defferre was irritated by Ribière's interventions and clamours and said to him "shut up, ( Read more... )

I took them during the summer of 2011. I was in London for a week and I spent one day to Portsmouth to see that ship (all the historic dockyard is worth the journey).

( Here they are! )

This time it's not exactly Marseille but If, the smallest island of the Frioul Archipelago about a mile offshore of the town. The island is famous because the main character of The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas was imprisoned here. The fortress was built between 1524 and 1531 during the reign of Francis I. It became a prison later.

( The Château d'If )