Eurocircus.com ~ Marseille

Wanted to wish everyone here or on their way here or there in Marseille a happy 4th. I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Democrats Abroad July 4th party yesterday at Pamela's beautiful home in Roucas Blanc. I have no idea how she pulled off hosting a large event feeding/inebriating the expat/local/curious crowd with such grace. I finally had the opportunity to try my baked beans recipe from scratch and test it out. Was definitely pleased to find a few home-cooked recipes that I would like to scavenge from the group.

Simultaneously the grand opening of the American Gallery took place and I was able to chat with one of the artists Patrick Guns, a wide-eyed Belgian whose photography documents the finality of a prisoner's last meal.

Before you choose your clothes this morning, think blue, since today starts La Fête Bleue in Marseille. It is the 1st time I have noticed this celebration, but in the summertime, who can keep them all straight and it just seems like one long party? This is the 4th of these festivals which includes music, dance and performances around town for 3 days, but done in blue which is also the "dresscode". In fact, wearing blue is enough to get you in free to the Soirée Groove Unity on Wednesday night, otherwise pay 5€.  Many of the major buildings and momuments will also be lit...

Maybe you've seen the 3rd Orange Freestyle Cup posters up all over town, but just in case not..., it is not to be missed since it is the Marsilia beach-meets-street spirit at its best. This event has drawn the best windsurfers (freestyle and ramp), BMX, skateboarders (World Skateboarding Cup) , SUP (stand-up paddleboarders) and a skydiving show all topped off with great music in the evenings on Plage de Bonneveine.

If you still have the shout/dance left in you, the afterparty starts at La Voile at 11 and keeps going until 5.  I would suppose it will be packed, so if you have plans to eat there, reserve like now. Also...

There is a rather large graffiti-painted globe in place Alex Jany, the square I peer down daily at from my apartment. On the platform base credit goes to coolglobesmarseille.com and happens to be a city-wide art project which grew out of the "Clinton Global Initiative in 2005". Marseille, being selected as Water Capital of the 6th World Water Forum in 2012, plays perfect host to one of the first European stops in this tour for 2010. 

At first glance on Marseille maps, there are 4 major beaches stretching along corniche Kennedy taking the bulk of  the public traffic (all along the 83 or 19 bus line). Plages Catalan, Prophète, Borély and Pointe Rouge and so much has been written about these beaches and promoted by the Tourist Center downtown. My interest though, lies in the little places scattered up and down the rocky coastline since a look over the craggy Corniche, you are bound to see many Marseillaise sunning themselves contentedly on some lone rock or on wooden-deck perched over the sea. 

Today's the day to burn less gas in your car and burn calories with your legs. Fête du Vélo has paraded itself infront of my house and is on route via the Corniche (reserved for biking and other wheels that don't consume anything but sweat) to Parc Borély for all day fun with bizarre bikes, expert rollerblading and skateboarding manuevers, music and picnics.

Terroir 13 ends tomorrow...Sunday 6th of June. I recommend this bellyache since that is what you will have after sampling everything. The Camargue horseshow was today along with sheepherding (the world champion sheepherding dog was steering ducks, kids and sheep around). The kids will have a blast in this farm in the city layout on the ground floor along with games and expositions explaining husbandry and the most used livestock in the Bouche-du-Rhone. Read more to look at some pictures.

It is easy to eat locally and in season with the proximity of markets (marchés) in and around Marseille and all of France, for that fact.  Each region has, of course, its own specialities, ours being the Provençal aromatics and olives to name two top-of-mind.

Living in town (and still not driving) makes me dependent on the small local markets and embracing the “rythme naturel des saisons” attitude, which is recognized as leaving a smaller carbon footprint and also a healthier choice. A word of advice to newbies (and fellow procrastinators like myself), get to the markets in the morning for the best selections. If you are someone that prefers to buy-it-all-at-once at the larger French grocery stores, included at the end of the article is a guideline in English (French version) on what you should be looking for to be eating along with mother nature.

Let's face it, city-living versus country-living is a different animal when you have kids. Marseille is no different but after 6 years of living here, I am still discovering there are many outlets for entertaining your tot (I having 2 of my own) and will be actively penning the information I have garnered in a number of stories over the next month for the site. The perennial park is always the classic solution and I will do some coverage on the inland parks of Marseille. Next part will cover some of the surf and turf activities....

Finding it hard to find a wide selection of health-conscious foods? bio, multi-vitamins, diet-planned meals, protein powders, vegan or vegetarian, restaurants and or organizations focusing on a healthier lifestyle... you can find it here in Marseille. Following is a list with brief descriptions of what you can pick up easily without have to import or ask a kind relative to send.
A personal passion of mine, revisit this list for the latest updates on recent discoveries... read more for list.