Back on the coast and in Marseille, a large city on the edge of the ocean, and like most seaside towns, one with an air of seediness about it.

 It's surprisingly hilly with the station perched above the town giving a glorious view across the rooftops as you arrive. Across the valley on another hill stands the cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Garde, built on an Ancient Fort and therefore commanding attention from all over the city. It's quite a slog up and people tend to enter with their knees trembling. Not from any particular awe at the wonderment on the holy place but more a realisation they they aren't as fit as they thought.

 Took the ferry out to the Frioul archipelago, three islands living just outside the harbour. The castle on one of the islands was the inspiration for The count of monte cristo, and his prison cell still exists. In the misleading ages the island became home to a shipwrecked rhinoceros, which became quite a tourist spectacle with Kings and emperors making trips to visit.