Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

The High Ride Over Marseille

Ferris Wheel in Marseille

A day in Marseille under that amazing blue sky.

Oh this is why I love the south.

That sky!

Marseille has a large Ferris Wheel during Christmas through the first part of Febuary. This year it is on the old port in the center of the city. Alice and I took a ride.

 

Ferris Wheel ride in Marseille

 

It is one big puppy. The difference between the Ferris wheel in Marseille compared to the one in Paris is that the one in Marseille does not have enclosed cabins. the cabin seats are open and the cabin spins around giving a 360° view. Gulp.

 

Up on the Ferris wheel

Going up was one thing.

Going around and around in the open cabin was another.

I could barely stop laughing or I should say feeling freaked out.

Though I did smile for the camera.

 

Overlooking marseille

Overlooking Marseille.

The sea on one side and the city filling into to the provencal hillside.

Marseille is not Paris.

But Paris is not Marseille.

Sure Marseille is gritty, earthy, constantly under construction… but the nearby landscape and sea cannot be denied as captivating. The people of Marseille are fiercely proud of their city. I have lived nearby for over twenty years… The blue pulls me in time and time again. Some of my dearest friends live here.

 

 

Reflection on church

 

I got a kick out of the Ferris wheel's reflection on the church.

Do you like Ferris Wheels? Have you ever been to Marseille?

 

Comments

18 responses to “The High Ride Over Marseille”

  1. nancy w

    No and No.

    Reply
  2. WR

    You sure know how to show an Australian girl a good time… Hi Alice!

    Reply
  3. Marilyn

    For some reason we didn’t come to Marseille when we were in the south of France. I regret it. Oh the blue sky is stunning. Love ferris wheels, but they do scare me a bit. Not sure about the baskets turning, it might be more scary.

    Reply
  4. Annette

    I visited Marseille in the mid-80’s. I recall eating bouillabaisse at a harbor cafe, just so I could try it. But I dislike fish, so it wasn’t a good idea for me. My memories of Marseille are: saw an old man peeing against a column right outside the train station door; turned the wrong way and got lost in a questionable area, luckily got directions at a tabac and safely backtracked; stayed at a 2-star hotel and saw two girls delousing each other in the plaza below the next A.M. I was with my boyfriend. Even though I’m sure we saw other sights, these are what I recall today. Not really a ringing endorsement. I should probably give it another go.

    Reply
  5. betty parker

    I have been to Marseille. It was wonderful! Of course, I was with a tour group and did not get the same tour guide that Alice has! No more ferris wheels for me.

    Reply
  6. Kathie B

    There’s not enough money in the world to get me up in a Ferris wheel. But I’m not above sending Farmboy Husband up in one to snap lots of photos to show me afterwards
    😉

    Reply
  7. g

    I have never been to Marseille-and I love ferris wheels THE BIGGER THE BETTER-the open cart/seat a big fat YES would love that!!

    Reply
  8. Teresa Young

    Never have liked ferris wheels, but as life goes on…I would probably go too! My laughing would probably be nerves, but the views are stunning. What a photo opt!
    t

    Reply
  9. Brother Mathew

    I love the ferris wheel. Marie is a real chicken and wont ride with me. I admit though that it is scarier that it looks!

    Reply
  10. Frederic

    Beautiful pictures of Marseille. Really love the last picture with the reflection on the church. I don’t know why people don’t want to visit more Marseille. A great city.

    Reply
  11. Di

    There is a Ferris wheel on Princes Street in Edinburgh every Christmas and until this year it was an open one. My mum and I went on it one year and as we were stuck at the top slowly rotating so people could get on we were each wondering, as our knuckles turned white, what we were doing up there as neither of us like heights.
    Marseille is beautiful. I spent a day there last June. We wanted to see Kengo Kuma’s FRAC building as we are about to build a Kengo Kuma building in Dundee. But of course it was Tuesday so it was closed. But the rest of the city was stunning…..I would like to spend more time exploring it.

    Reply
  12. Cheryl

    My tummy is flipping over just looking. Glad you did it, fantastic photos…..again

    Reply
  13. Peggy Braswell

    adore Ferris wheels + especially open ones. wonderful photos. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

    Reply
  14. Sharon Penney-Morrison

    Yes…I have been to Marseille, and no, and never will ride a Ferris Wheel. You are a brave woman. My heart was pounding just looking at you sitting in the cage.

    Reply
  15. Cousin Linda

    Ferris wheels are for sissies. I prefer giant roller coasters.

    Reply
  16. Marina

    The ferris wheel is the only ride I will go on. And my husband proposed to me on one in Wildwood, NJ.

    Reply
  17. The Bold Soul

    ADORE the photo with the shadow of the wheel against the old church; that, and the gorgeous views, were totally worth having to go up there. I’ve been to Marseille a few times as we also have good friends who live a bit outside of town. The first time, we explored around the old port a bit before taking a bus to their place (the other side of the Prado, I think it might be the Pointe Rouge section); I liked the old port but yes, “gritty” is a good word to describe the rest. Haven’t been to the Chateau d’If yet, though. When we come to Marseille now, we mostly just hang out at our friends’ home or go out on their little boat fishing (well, THEY fish; I just enjoy the views). The landscape in that part of France is gorgeous with the grey-white rocks; and then a bit more to the east the coastline turns into all RED rocks, so it’s rather interesting.

    Reply
  18. The Bold Soul

    I’m from NJ and I LOVE Wildwood. How nice for you to have such a great memory there. 🙂

    Reply

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