They call Marseille the Secret Capital of France. It was so delightful to discover that the busiest port in Europe is a thronging refuge for immigrants from everywhere. Marseille seemed to have a very multicultural soul. The gigantic cruise ships floating in the harbor welcomed our group as though we were ready to travel across the sea.
Later in the day, we found ourselves back in lower Paleolic period, dated to about 400,000 BC where the Greeks of Marseille founded a permanent settlement called Nikaia, after Nike, the goddess of victory.
The deep blue waters of the Cote d’Azur provided a dramatic backdrop for the elegant Nice. We took in the fresh Mediterranean air as our group strolled the waterfront promenade. In addition to the beauty, one could feel ancient prosperity, power, and victory in the air.
