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Accompanying persons program
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- Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 08:30 - Discover Le Castelet and Cassis
Departure by coach from the Pullman Hotel Return estimated at 12:30
 Le Castellet is a lovely little village perched above the plains of the Var. Arriving on the little road from La Cadière-d'Azur you get a good view of Le Castellet, as the road across the countryside and vineyards pretty much circles the village before finally climbing up to the center.
The "center" of Le Castellet is at (or close to) the top of the village, contrary to many Provencal villages where the center is on the slope and the top has only a lonely old church or castle. The village retains its fortified look, with  sections of the ancient ramparts still there, along with a couple of the old fortified "portes". The streets are cobblestone and the houses are old and interesting. The chateau was last rebuilt in the 15th century, and has an imposing defensive feel about it.
Le Castellet is also a surprisingly active village and at the edge of the village, you can have a glimpse of the Mediterranean coast. It's a very popular weekend retreat in the region, and there are a lot of art galleries and numerous gift/souvenir shops.
 Near Le Castellet is settled the famous Paul Ricard racetrack.
The tour will then lead you to Cassis, where the lunch will be settled in a restaurant on the harbor.
" Qu'a vist Paris, se noun a vist Cassis, pou dire: n'ai rèn vist" ("He who has seen Paris and who hasn't seen Cassis will say « I have seen nothing »).
These words alone of the Nobel Prize for Literature winner, Frederic Mistral, represent the formidable attraction that Cassis exerts on all those who come here. This small fishing port, nestled between two exceptional natural sites, (the famous massif of the Calanques and the majestic Cap Canaille) offers visitors a concentration of Provence and the Mediterranean. The magical effect begins on the small road that leads to the village and winds its way between the vineyards and the pine forest. Its charm reveals itself when strolling through the narrow streets and squares bordered by the colorful houses that belong to the local fishermen and the first impressions of the port with its boats and inviting terraces are not easily forgotten.
What we recommend you should buy in Le Castellet: provencal fabrics, Bandol wines, …
What we recommend you should buy in Cassis: Cassis white wine, provencal tableware, …
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Monday, March 30, 2009 at 09:00 - Discover Marseille’s oldest area, Le Panier
Departure by coach from the Pullman Hotel
 Return estimated at 11:00
France's premier port and oldest major city, Marseille is in a surprisingly attractive setting, centered on the Vieux Port (the old harbor). People have lived here for 26 centuries: its mixture of cultures being so varied that Alexander Dumas called it "the meeting place of the entire world". The Panier area (« Panier » means basket in French) is the town’s oldest place and historically the place where newcomers installed. In the middle of this area there is the Vieille Charité, a wonderful old monument, now hosting museums and exhibitions. What we recommend you should buy in « Le Panier »: traditional soap (Savon de Marseille), Pastis (anise-flavored liqueur and apéritif), olive oil, …
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