Marseille, France

Just look at that gorgeous blue sea in that massive harbor...

Ah, just seeing it makes me feel so good!

I'm here in the oldest city in France, the port city of Marseille.

Located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, it has been a thriving trade hub since ancient times.

The sun is so bright today!

The days are generally sunny, and it doesn't rain much here.

And look, the ocean is so close!

The contrast between the blue of the sky and the blue of the sea is stunning!

I think I'll get off around here and check it out.

It's 8:30 in the morning.

Time to see the town!

Not a cloud in sight!

The morning air is crisp and refreshing.

Wow! The Mediterranean Sea!

Now, let me check my map.

I think I'm here, around this coast.

The city center is near the old port where the boats are docked.

I think, first, I'll check out that old port.

It's early, but everyone's so active.

Good morning!

Morning!

It must be great to be able to run along this beautiful coastline.

Huh? What is that orange thing in the water?

Is someone swimming?

But it's so cold!

Where could they be going?

Are they headed to the shore over there?

Hmm, it looks like I can get down there from here.

Ah, people are there!

I wonder what they're doing?

Ooh, look it's a tiny beach!

And the water's so beautiful.

They seem to be changing!

Oh, excuse me!

Oh, the orange preserver!

I bet that's the person I saw swimming.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Earlier I saw you swimming in the water, right?

That's right.

Where did you swim from?

From the opposite side.
I swam along the coast.

So early in the morning! Wow!

Are all of you friends?

Yes, we're a team.

And you always swim here?

All year around.

All year!?

- Everyday.
- That's right.

But it's so cold today!

It was 7 degrees Celsius this morning.
The water is 13 degrees.

Ah, the ocean's warmer than the air!!

The wind can be strong,
and there are storms.

Generally, it's sunny
all year around here.

There're so many different
sea creatures in the water.

Octopus and sea bream.

The water is great today.
Incredibly clear!

Nothing like a morning stroll through the ocean.

We're swimming to
a small island over there.

They seem to have so much fun!

I see they use swim buoys.

- Goodbye!
- Bye!

Take care!

Ahh, the morning sun and the beautiful water!

Take care! Have a good time!

Taking a morning stroll in the ocean!

What a great way to begin your day!

Okay, now it's time to make my way to the old port!

I've found my way to a rather large road!

Look at all the cars!

Oh wow, look at all the boats in the harbor.

And all those masts sticking up.

So this is the old port.

Good morning!

Now, let me check the guidebook.

It seems that a lot of commercial trade took place in this port until the 19th century.

Now, it's a marina.

Oh, there's a lot of activity going on over there.

2 kilograms for 10 Euros.
Almost sold out!

It's the weekend
so I'm going home too.

Oh, it's a fish market.

Sale! Only 10 Euros!
We're barely breaking even!

Holy mackerel!

That's some delicious looking mackerel!

How ‘bout it? 2 kilograms!

Wow people are snatching them up.

10 Euros, that's about 10 US dollars right now.

Um, excuse me!

Business is good, huh?

When the catch is good,
we sell it cheap so it goes out fresh.

It makes the customers happy,
and that's what matters, right?

Look at how many boxes we had.

Wow, they're all empty.

Thank you!

You're welcome.
Have a good one.

Selling it cheap while its fresh!

So, everybody wins!

Fresh fish is the best!

So, after visiting the Old Port, time to head towards town.

The buildings are magnificently grand.

And the streets are nice and wide.

Feels great to walk here.

Hey.

Hello!

They've closed this off for pedestrians.

What a gorgeous building.

Oh, look at the sculptured reliefs and columns!

Ah, the reliefs on the front of the building are in the shapes of boats.

I wonder if there is any meaning to that?

Um, excuse me.

Hi there.

May I ask you a question?

Of course.

What is this building?

This is Marseille's Chamber of
Commerce and Industry.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry!

Is it an old building?

Yes, from the time of
Napoleon III in 1860.

That's over 160 years ago! Wow!

I didn't realize that a Chamber of Commerce could look this grand!

It's proof how strong Marseille was.

Boat owners and brokers visited this street,
so there are many luxury hotels.

I see!

Take care.

Thank you so much.

I get it! The ships represent the success of the port.

I bet that the streets of Marseille welcomed people from all over.

This must have been the main street.

That man said there are a lot of luxury hotels here.

Ah, so this building with the exquisitely carved figures must have been a hotel.

Yep, it says Grand Hotel, right up there.

My goodness!

Those are all rooms.

With ships arriving from all over the world, the cultural diversity must have been amazing.

It's a clothing store now.

How nice that these old buildings are still being used.

There are a lot of restaurants around here.

Hm? What's up there on that red building over there?

Looks like a chess piece...

But it's rather large!

It appears to be a store...

Oh, they sell rubber stamps here!

What a great selection.

Welcome.

Huh? Oh, hello.

Hello.

You make rubber stamps here?

Yes, we do. Please come in and
have a look at our selection.

I will, thank you.

What a nice shop.

Just look at all the different kinds of stamps!

These are made of wood.

This shop must have a long history.

We've been in business over 125 years.

Oh wow!

Would you like to see one of
our old catalogues?

It was published over a century ago.

Stamps from a century ago!?

Wow, there are so many.

Yes, this is a shoe stamp.
Would you like to see the stamp?

Yes.

This stamp was used back then.
It's hand carved!

Hand carved, that's amazing!

Yes.

Very cool.

This is for a grocery store in Avignon.

I see.

And this is for a bicycle and
motorcycle repair shop in Nice.

You had customers from all over.

Goods from across France
were brought to Marseille.

And they were sold all over
the Mediterranean.

Many items were stamped.

Like the products, packaging,
wooden boxes, or wine barrels.

Oh, I heard that this was an international trade center.

Yes, even now people from
all over the world gather here.

Marseille has been
welcoming people since 600BCE.

Many different cultures interacted
with each other here.

We are a city that is constantly moving
with the times. That is Marseille.

I love that. Thank you so much.

Please enjoy your walk.

Thanks, I will.

Thank you! Goodbye.

Goodbye!

Seeing these stamps, I can sort of picture what the trade was like back then.

Welcoming people and items from all over the world...

Marseille is so hospitable!

Hello, my name is Vivien.

I am a soap maker.

This factory makes the famed Marseille soap.

We've been using the same traditional methods for 165 years.

Let me share with you the history of our town and the part that soap has played in it.

Around 600 BCE, Greeks from Phocaea created a trading colony near a seaside inlet, establishing the city of Marseille.

France's oldest port town, Marseille has thrived as a trade hub for the Mediterranean region with goods and people from all over the world passing through.

Due to access to olive oil from Provence, Marseille was able to develop a thriving soap industry.

In the 17th century, Marseille soap was even used by the royal family.

Louis XIV established standards for soapmaking, guaranteeing its quality.

The port evolved, and during the 19th century Marseille boasted Europe's largest stockpile of oil.

The people who made their fortune off the oil trade opened large soap factories.

At the start of the 20th century, there were nearly 100 soap factories.

At its peak, the area produced half of all of France's soap.

Making soap is a bit like cooking.

You take the olive oil and add lye and water, salt, and then slowly cook it for just the right amount of time.

The heat must be just right.

You keep an eye on it and pay attention to the fragrance.

Perfect.

There was a time when soap was used to clean everything - - the body, clothes, the floor, dishes, etc...

There would be large blocks of it all around the house.

It's still a famous local product.

The economy has continued to develop through businesses like shipbuilding and the chemical industry.

A lot of people have moved here for the work.

The city is constantly evolving with several new things and people coming here.

Please walk around and check it out for yourself.

See you!

It's now 11:00 AM.

Look, there are more people on the streets.

Let me check the map again.

I met the swim team, saw the Old Port fish market, saw some old buildings and the stamp shop.

Now I'm here.

This area is Noailles, known for its diverse community of residents.

That looks like a grocery store.

I wonder if they are all buying food for lunch.

This city is so fascinating.

It is so exiting to be here.

That looks like a vegetable store, up there on the left.

Are those big things potatoes?

Oh, a customer.

- How much for a kilogram?
- 4.95 euros.

That's all that's left.

I've never seen anything like them before.

What are those?

It's breadfruit.

I've never seen breadfruit before!

How do you prepare it?

- Like a potato.
- Yes, a potato.

Oooh.

You can cut it and make fries.

Or mix it with banana or coconut.

I can't imagine what it tastes like!

Where is it grown?

It's African.

In Madagascar and Comoros,
they eat green bananas.

Ahh, African cuisine.

I've never seen most of these vegetables.

Thanks for your time!

You're welcome.

I wonder if that breadfruit and banana is for lunch.

I'd love to try it.

Oh, look! There are yellow bananas on this side.

Ah, another vegetable store.

So, I wonder if these vegetables from Arica come in by boat?

Oh, what is that over there?

A basket shop?

There are so many!

And what's hanging up next door?

Are those hats?

Welcome.

Ah hello.

Are those hats hanging up there?

They're lampshades, not hats.
They're for inside and outdoors.

Oh they're lampshades.

Woven, right?

Yes, from Morocco and Tunisia.
All handmade.

They're wonderful!

There are a lot of African things in this area.

There are people here from all
the Mediterranean countries, so we have things from
all around the world.

There's something for everyone here.

I see.

Thanks. Goodbye.

Thank you! Goodbye!

Wow, goods from Morocco and Tunisia.

That's right, the continent of Africa is just on the other side of the Mediterranean!

Ah, look at the fabulous colors that woman is wearing!

It seems that so many interesting people are living here in Marseille.

Let's see now. Which way to go...

To the left?

Or maybe the right?

Wait, what's that over there?

It is definitely very colorful!

The front is plastered with photos.

Who are all these people?

Hello there.

Hello.

May I ask what kind of shop this is?

This is the best barber in Marseille.

I'm here for a cut. I'm waiting in line.

Would it be possible for me to take a look inside?

Wait, I'll see if the owner is there.

Thank you.

Is it okay to enter?
Please!

Oh, thanks!

Hello.

Welcome.

Wha! It's really busy in here!

Wow, why are those uniforms on the wall?

Those belong to players who
had their hair cut here.

I asked the players for them.

Wow, they're signed.

They're all white and blue.

Are they all on the same team?

It's all Olympique de Marseille.
It's in the DNA of Marseille.

Please move over there.

Oh, so it's Marseille's soccer team.

Does everyone here like soccer?

Of course.

In France, we are the most
passionate soccer fans.

It's that big huh?

When a match starts, work is paused
and we all come watch here.

We're mostly talking about the team.
I mean, this is Marseille.

This is a very cosmopolitan city. People of
all nationalities live here together.

We're all joined together by soccer.
And soccer unites us!

- United by soccer!
- Yes, that's soccer.

So soccer units everyone in the city.

That's nice.

Hello!

Hey.

May I ask about your haircut?

It's very Marseille.
Just like one of the players.

Oh you get the same haircut.

When the players get a new hairstyle,
we follow them.

Now, that's dedication.

Wow, this style is also very distinctive.

The fan team dedication is incredible.

So, fans of other teams don't come here, do they?

Boooooo.

Oohh, booing!

Excuse me for asking a bad question!

They don't come here.

This guy's up next.
Look! He's a fan of OM too.

Since he's wearing the uniform
he gets his cut for free today.

Hi there! Who's your favorite player?

Payet.

Are you going to get the same haircut as him?

No.

Oh? What then?

We colored his hair a while back.

How about we do Rongier's hairstyle.

I'm sure it'll look great.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, and welcome to Marseille.

Goodbye!

It must be wild in there on the day of a match.

Interesting how soccer serves to unite the people in this city!

I'm Iona, a university student in Marseille.

I'm Shaima.

The bouillabaisse in Marseille really is the best.

But there is also other delicious food here also.

We'll show you the best 3 street foods in Marseille.

First up, a shop that always has a queue in front.

In 3rd place is chichis fregis.

It's a sweet made of fried dough that was said to be created for tile makers.

The dough is made from wheat and chickpea flour.

And then the dough is spiraled into hot oil.

As chickpeas are high in protein, this is perfect for a recharge.

Sugar is the standard topping...

...but we recommend the chocolate and whipped cream version.

Don't think about the calories.

It's so good.

Next are some modern sandwiches.

Here you are! The octopus sandwich of Marseille.

Second place is this octopus sandwich!

The taste of Marseille is packed into every bite.

Fresh octopus is cooked for 2 hours with pastis, a local spirit.

The flavors are brought out with a brief saute.

An aioli sauce made with garlic, egg yolk, and olive oil is spread on the bread.

Add the veggies and octopus, and it's done.

The octopus is so soft and juicy.

Being able to enjoy a good octopus sandwich is so Marseille.

I'm so exhausted!

But we have to hurry or they're going to run out!

First place is pizza!

They have local flavors from around the world.

My favorite is the Armenian pizza.

It's simple, but I love the combination of the cumin and lemon.

The dough is made in the truck.

Then they add ground beef, olives and cumin, combining Armenian flavors with pizza.

Then it's baked in the oven.

And for the final touch, the taste of lemon!

Bon appetit!

My after-class treat! It's so delicious!

So, what did you think of the street food?

Everyone, please come and give them a try!

Bye-bye!

Hmm, it's now 2:00 in the afternoon.

I'd like to check the map again.

I was in the multi-cultural area of Noailles, then the soccer fan barber shop and now, I'm here.

Apparently, the Oil Square is up ahead.

That's an interesting name.

It should be somewhere around here.

Hmm, what's that building over there?

There's a drawing posted on the front.

That's a wine bottle!

Is this a bar?

Excuse me.

Wow! Look at all the bottles!

Ah, it's a wine store and the shelves are packed.

But where is the staff?

Excuse me! Is anyone here?

Yes yes, over here.

I heard a voice, but where is she?

I'm in the cellar!

Eh?? In the cellar?

I'll be right up.

Oh, the voice is coming from down there!

Hello there.

Whoa! There she is! Hello!

Welcome.

Is this a wine store?

Yes we deal in wine.

So you were in the cellar?

There's a large space down there.

How big is it?

Would you mind showing me?

I'd be delighted. Follow me!

Awesome! Thank you!

A wine cellar! It's so exciting.

It's very old. 17th century.
The time of Louis XIV.

That is very old!

This place is amazing!

Look at all the bottles of wine.

So, this is where they age it.

During the time of Louis the Fourteenth was wine stored down here?

No, at that time this was
a storage for olive oil.

Olive oil?

Yes, olive oil for making soap.

Ahh, the famous Marseille soap!

Each individual room held 30,000 liters.

Thirty thousand liters?

This was sealed.
It's been opened so we can access it.

So each of these rooms was an oil tank.

Now there are about 10 rooms.

Look up there.

What is it?

That's where the oil came in.
From up there.

Wow, so all this was filled with olive oil.

And there was a pipe to take it outside.

Outside?

This pipe was connected to Oil Square.

The soap makers would go there
to get their oil.

So that's why it's called the Oil Square.

The oil came from here.

I had no idea there was a place like this!

Most locals don't know,
about this secret.

I feel so lucky to have seen this!

Thank you so much.

Now, I'm going to check out Oil Square.

It's close.
Just a bit further down.

Got it, thank you.

You're welcome.

Have a good day!
Enjoy that beautiful Marseille sun.

Will do! Bye!

Imagine! The basement rooms used to be oil tanks!

She said that the Oil Square is just a bit further up the street.

Ah, this must be it!

The place popularized by olive oil!

Yes, Marseille soap has always been held in high esteem!

Now then, where do I want to go next?

I think I'll head over this way.

Hmm, I wonder what's happening up there?

Now that's a good-sized boat!

Ahh, that's the boat. And it's a wooden boat!

Excuse me! May I ask a question?

Hello.

Hello! Is this an old boat?

My boss would know that.

Your boss?

He's over there.

Hmm? Where?

Oh, there's another boat.

Is that man the boss?

Oh, he's also working on that boat.

Excuse me!

Sorry to interrupt you while you're working...

Oh hi.

May I ask what you're doing?

I'm repairing the boat.
Doing something called caulking.

I'm stuffing cotton between the planks
to make the boat more seaworthy.

Cotton?

Here have a look.

Huh, that's cotton?

Ah, so he's pounding the cotton in-between the planks of wood.

Is this what makes it waterproof?

The proof is how the boat floats.
It's the old way to do it.

This is fascinating!

Must feel great to work here with the sea breeze and the sound of the waves.

It is beautiful,
but I still have to work.

Haha, of course.

Hm?

What's that building up there on the hill?

That's Pharo Palace,
built by Napoleon III.

Wow!

A palace with an amazing view enhanced by the gentle sound of waves.

Really nice!!

There are more old boats over there.
Would you like to see them?

Yes please.

Fabulous!

They're all being repaired.

Who's the person in the photo?

That's my father.
He built this place.

You were taught by your father?

Not actually taught,
more like learn by watching.

I had to be curious and assertive.

Your father sounds like a real craftsman.

You know, you look like him.

My father always brought me here.

I watched my father work here
from the cradle.

My father, my grandfather-
they were all shipbuilders.

Your grandfather too, huh?

It's been 3 generations.

Italian immigrants from Tunisia.

Shipbuilders from Italy and Africa
came here to looking for work.

Ah, I see.

That's so fascinating!

Traveling to a new land and bringing those amazing traditional skills with them.

That's quite incredible.

Luca.

Ah, he's the guy I met before.

How long have you worked here?

Almost a year now.

So you've just started.

Why did you choose this work?

Because I want to cross
the Pacific one day.

But it'll take time before
I can build my own boat.

Wow!

I'd like to visit Japan too.

It's a great place!

Thank you.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Coming to a new place and putting down roots.

Marseille seems to be a place that people are drawn to.

Hmm, I wouldn't mind living here...

It's 5:00 PM now.

I'm on the west side of the old port.

Haha, look at that big bear. Interesting!

I wonder why it's there?

Ah, the sun will be setting soon!

Everyone's enjoying the coast in their own way.

Oh? I hear music.

Hello.

Oooh, I like that beat!

Oh, they're dancing together.

Now, that looks like fun!

You want to dance too?
I'll teach you the salsa.

Really? The Salsa?

This is the salsa.
It's easy!

One step forward,
one step back.

Looks easy enough...

If you learn them,
you can dance anywhere!

May I ask where everyone is from?

All over. Columbia.
Cuba. France.

Do you all live in Marseille?

Yes.

Fortunately!

You like living here?

But of course.

Yes, of course!

Everyone is accepted here.
The people are easy-going.

And the sea is beautiful.

The sea and the mountains.

Yes, the ocean and mountains are stunning!

There's no place better.

You might be right about that!

Thank you very much.

Goodbye now.

Farewell, and good luck!

Ahh, thank you, thank you!

Wow... the sunset is gorgeous.

That man had a great smile.

Marseille welcomes everyone and they often become residents.

Well, I certainly walked a lot today.

Ah, the city lights have been turned on.

It's really gotten dark!

Good evening!

Good evening.

Wow, this city is still pulsating with action.

I guess the night is just beginning.

So many people come here, fall in love with the city and enjoy being together.

When people who live here talk about Marseille, the look of joy on their faces is delightfully intoxicating.