Packs and Boots: Road Trip from Marseilles to Paris: Part 1

In late June my parents came to join us on a two-week road trip from Marseilles to Paris. We rented a car and had a great time stopping in towns and cities along the route, mostly staying two nights in each place except for Paris where we stayed for four. In many of the towns we rented apartments where we'd make at least one meal a day--which of course always consisted of at least two French baguettes, a variety of local cheeses, and wine. We hopped from towns in the Riviera to the Western edge of Switzerland, through a small portion of Germany for one afternoon, and then to Paris. It was good to make the trip with family after being away from home for so long.

We penciled in a rough map of our route. Here it is.

They flew into Marseilles, but before they did, Rachel and I had 24 hours with a rented car to ourselves since our friends from home--Ian, Sito, and Hyph--just left (a whole other post or two that we will eventually write).

We drove a short distance from Marseilles and into the town of Martigues, France. It is right by the water and on the night we visited there was a fair in town complete with games, snacks, and scary, un-safe looking rides. Just like home.

Rachel in Martigues

We ate pizza on the water

And then my folks came! We rented an apartment in Marseilles for the first night, and stayed a hotel for the second.

Home-made dinner at the apartment, 2 hours after my parents landed

All rested up the next day, ready to walk around the city

Around Marseilles...

The harbor--my dad's favorite place to stroll

Taking a break and consulting the map

It may not look far, but there are a lot of steps going up to Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica

...and at the top we found a parking lot with buses. Dad wasn't too happy.

View from the top of the basilica

Wine, cheese, and chocolate snack at our hotel on the second night... Dad telling a story

The steps to the station at sunset. We took baguettes, cheese, and wine to snack on as we enjoyed the view

On the third day of my parents visit, we all piled into the car and started driving North. Our destination for the night was a town called Annecy... but to break up the trip, we decided to stop in the walled city of Avignon, which has an interesting history. It was once the seat of both popes and antipopes. The popes fortified the town with the surrounding ramparts, and Avignon is now one of the few French cities to have preserved its ramparts. In addition to walking the town, the ramparts, and the Roman bridge that stretches half-way across the river, we also toured the Palais des Popes.

In the Palais des Popes

Outside the Palace, we found Zorro, who my brother idolized as a kid... so we took a picture with him. This one is for you, Jimmy.

Rachel on the Avignon bridge

Mom on the bridge

Lunch in Avignon

We arrived in Annecy late that night and walked into town for a Thai dinner. (R's note: It sounded like a good option then... now, after 2 months in Southeast Asia, it doesn't sound as appealing!) Our apartment was nice, and again fully-furnished with tables, chairs, and kitchen, and an easy walk to town. But since it was late, we didn't get the full flavor of Annecy that night. We set out early the next morning to see the town and were taken by how beautiful it is.

Annecy was once the capital of the county of Geneva before it was taken by the French. It is lined with numerous waterways that all spill into Lake Annecy, on which the town sits. Foot bridges crisscross the waterways, flower pots hang from windows, the streets are made of cobble stones, and the streets are narrow and inviting for wanderers.