Location

The conference will be held in Marseille city of art and history. History and geography go hand in hand. An excellent place for human settlement for the past 28 000 years (as attested by the wall paintings in the Cosquer Cave), Marseille now has grown into a metropolis of 807 000 inhabitants. Corseted by a ring of hills, including the Calanques massif, the city winds 57 km along the Mediterranean coast. Sunshine is one of the strong assets of its pleasant lifestyle, and the Mistral wind gives it that special light that has inspired many renowned painters such as Cézanne, Braque, Dufy, Derain, Marquet and others...

Since the dawn of its history Marseille has always looked outward to the Mediterranean to which it owes the myth of its own founding: the love between a Ligurian princess and a Phocean sailor. As France's chief port, sea trade has played an important part in the life of Marseille for centuries. Marseille is also a great favourite with water-sports-men and women. But it is not only divers, wind-surfers and sailors who flock to the city; its sun-drenched beaches also attract ordinary holidaymakers who seek nothing more energetic than a paddle.

• Wonderful things not to be missed:·    Around the Vieux-Port : For 26 centuries it has been the prestigious stage on which Marseilles' history has been played out.·    Old Marseilles : From the City Hall to the Vieille Charité, a stroll in the most ancient quarter in the whole of France - le Panier.·    The Palais Longchamp : A grandiose setting to celebrate the arrival of water in Marseilles during the Second Empire period.·    The Vélodrome stadium : History of the Vélodrome stadium, of the 100 years of the Olympique de Marseille soccer team and visit to the museum-shop.·    The abbay of Saint-Victor: A wonderful example of a church that was originally built in the 5th century and then fortified in the 14th century.·    Notre-Dame de la Garde and the ex-voto : Notre-Dame de la Garde is a fortress and sanctuary. It is an irreplaceable landmark, home to many moving testimonies to local religious devotion.·    The Opera house: The opera house is a temple of the lyrical arts.·    The Vieux Port's forts: Saint-Nicolas and Saint-Jean. With their superb military architecture, these symbols of royal power watch over the oldest city in France.·    Les Arcenaulx : History of the Great Arsenal and the city's relations with Louis XIV + visit to the Louis XIV room in the History Museum.

More information
Conferences will take place in the ancient Arcenaulx of Marseille in the Center of the city close to the old harbour. This old and handsome house was in the past the wharehouse of galley at theXVIIth century. Decoration, old stones and high ceiling where wood beam cross give to this place a very comfortable atmosphere.
Les Arcenaulx
25, cours Estienne d'Orves - 13001 Marseille
Tel : 04.91.59.80.40               Fax : 04.91.54.76.33
Email : restaurant@les-arcenaulx.com
www.les-arcenaulx.com