Local Connections: Panoramic Marseille & Soap Museum with Master Soap Maker

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

WHAT YOU VISIT
Marseille Soap Museum
Located on the historic Vieux-Port in the old galley arsenal built by Louis XIV in the 17th century, the 1,350-square-foot museum dedicated to Marseille soap, known locally as the MuSaMa, traces the history of this essential product of Provencal culture. In the workshop led by master soap maker Coralie Jaussaud, you'll learn how Marseille soap, first created in the 14th century, is made from local ingredients. You'll even get to make a sample of your own soap and personalize it with some local stamps.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Your panoramic tour of Marseilles includes a stop at Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica, an important landmark that was built on a defensive observation post in ancient times. The architecture of the Romanesque-Byzantine style basilica boasts splendid domes, multicolored stone, and shimmering mosaics. Take in the magnificence of the view from this high vantage point. Another site to behold is the Longchamp Palace, a fantastic 19th century complex of stately museums, elegant fountains, and a former expansive Zoological Garden.

LUNCH
Enjoy free time in the Old Port to stroll and purchase lunch.

WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY
Your excursion begins with a drive through the colorful Old Port, where the city's Greek founders landed in 600 B.C. Gaze out the window at the colorful French sidewalk cafés, lively markets, and charming fishing boats that bob in the harbor. As you continue on along the coastline, you'll be mesmerized by the dramatic cliffs of the Marseille massif and the islands that dot the landscape offshore.

Special Notes:

Guests are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes; bring local currency.
Medical Restriction: Not suitable for wheelchair users or guests with mobility problems

Medical Restriction:

Not suitable for wheelchair users or guests with mobility problems