Cruising the Med with Mickey and the Crew **Updated 11/25** COMPLETE - Page 24 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Wonderful updates Terri. Your tour at Villefranche sounds wonderful, although I hear you about the perfume smells being overpowering - I can imagine that. It sounds like a wonderful evening as well and I love the James Bond pose!
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Day 10 - Marseilles, France - Last Port of Call
We were up with the sun yet again this morning as we pulled into port. Our excursion today was a half day - The Santons of Marseilles and a driving tour of the city. All four family members would be attending.
Jolene and I were out on the veranda to see our arrival in Marseilles.
We even saw the captain pull us into the slip.
Miss J and I headed to breakfast - mom and dad joined us a little later.
I had my usual - fruit, bacon and an omelet
After breakfast - we headed to our location to meet our tour group - we exited the ship, and met up with Francois - our guide.
We drove along the coast road, before heading into the more industrial part of town - where the Santon Museum and Factory are located.
Notre Dame De la Guard in the distance
The Cathedral of Marseilles
Marseilles has been considered a shady town in the past with a depressed economy - they are having a bit of a rebuilding going on now.
Old Marseilles city hall - in the Vieux port (old port)
The fort of Marseilles, with the Cathedral and bell towers
Theatre National de Marseilles - the national theatre of Marseilles
The Fortress of marseilles
A memorial to WWII soldiers.
I saw this out of the corner of my eye - hence the blurriness... the Centre d'Oceanologie.... The Oceanographic Center.... Too bad we didn't get to go here.
For those Alexander Dumas Fans who read "The Conte of Monte Cristo" or saw the remake with Jim Caveziel.... That fort on the island is Chateau d'If.
The one thing that really struck me - was the vibrant blue of the water....
I also love how the homes come right down to the water, yet they seem quaint and lovely!
The environmental science professor in me was also really happy to see these recycle bins - I wish we did this in the states!
Next - the Santons and my first souvenir from the cruise (other than a post card or photo).
Just caught up and what a great time and your photos are great! I can just imagine myself there and that chocolate covered chocolate cake looked YUMMO but sweet!
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Visiting the Santon Factory and Museum
My mom had selected this excursion for the family - who can you go wrong with three girls and dolls??? Dad? Well - he was along for the ride.
The owner of the shop did not speak english and none of the staff did - so Francois had to translate. I plan to take you through the process - so there are LOTS of photos...
These are some of the molds and pieces of the dolls. A santon is a small figurine cast in terracotta or a similar material that is used for building nativity scenes. Santons are a traditional product of the Provence region of southeastern France. The word "santon" comes from the Provençal "santoun," or "little saint." They became popular during the French Revolution, when the churches were closed and the larger, traditional nativity scenes in churches prohibited. Smaller figurines began appearing in homes, and quickly gained popularity. (I borrowed this from Wikipedia!)
Inside of the kilm where each piece is fired. The Santon maker starts with a lump of clay - that is pressed into a mold They can take the same mold - and with a little turn of the head or tilt - make the expression completely different. They have about 300 molds (those are all stacked behind the gentleman on the wall).
After the molds are pressed - they are fired in the kiln. Then they are painted - by hand. Many painted doll parts..... waiting to be assembled.
Then the dolls are dressed - and the makers use authentic materials from the time when the doll is from.
Some of the dolls in the dressing area.
The doll dressing area.
A doll being assembled. From here - you could either head into the store or the Museum. Dad headed into the store while mom, Jolene and I headed to the museum. Dad in the store.
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A couple more photos before we headed into the museum - One of the finished doll - the lavender was real.
Inside the museum - the displays were amazing!!
Since Santons started with Nativity scenes -
The Passion of Christ
The Provencial French town -
After we finished with the museum (which was just amazing - SO much details) - Jolene, mom and I headed into the shop - and while I was impressed with the Santons - I wasn't impressed enough to spend the kind of money they wanted for a doll - Dad however DID buy a couple of them - one for mom and one for a family friend.
I DID end up buying something though -
If you look above the door - you can see two sea turtles.... the one on the left is a juvenile loggerhead and is now hanging on the wall in my master bedroom.... My little french turtle!! The owners were kind enough to wrap it up very very well in a box so that I could carry it home.
After a LONG time at the Santon factory and museum - much longer than Francois had planned for (women shopping - what do you expect?) - we loaded back into the bus - we continued on with our tour and headed up to Norte Dame De la Gaurd.
I especially enjoyed your pics of Rome and the Vatican. My husband's cousin has been the U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican for a few years now. I have wanted to take the kids over for a visit (because of the access we could have) but, they are 6 and 9, and I just felt like they weren't old enough to go on a trip like that, let alone behave themselves enough to sit through a mass with the Pope. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Your pics are beautiful!!!!
Thanks for the great updates and pics....glad your nose recovered from the perfume factory....I can hardly walk through the beauty department without getting a headache!
Love the turtle...what a great find!
danielle
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I wish your tablemates could dine with DH, I'm not-so-subtley trying on my own!
. looks amazing!
PassPorter Guide Author
the turtle!! it's adorable!
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