Your best childhood memory in Marseille?
As a child, my father regularly took me to the Stade Vélodrome to attend the games of the OM. We go on foot from Mazargues. I was amazed by the atmosphere there. I discovered the popular fervor around this club, unique, mythical, which still remains the favorite in the eyes of the French and of which I was, a time the president, to bring it back in the first division. I am very proud as Mayor of Marseilles to have realized the renovation of this stadium considered the most beautiful stadium in France.
Measure for Tourism which you are most proud of?
Marseille is now a privileged destination for cruises. 1.6 million cruise workers stopped in the Phocéean city in 2015, of which 520,000 were at the top of the line, leaving the Port of Marseille in the top 15 world in front of New York. This considerable increase is the result of a proactive policy aimed at making tourism a major accelerator of economic growth for our city. It also bears witness to the prominent place that Marseille now occupies among tourist cities.
Measures to improve the city of which you are most proud?
The tramway, inaugurated in 2007, was a great success with the Marseillais. This eco-friendly, quiet and modern mode of transport is an ideal accompaniment to the urban requalification of Marseille city center. Its three lines are nearly 15.8 kilometers long and serve 32 stations. Its expansion is planned in the coming years to extend its route to the North and South districts of the city.
The beach you visited most often?
Like many small Mazanais, I attended Sormiou's calanques where my parents had a cabanon. It's an exceptional place, a real postcard. Scuba diving, relaxing with a family on the beach, restoration. It's a real corner of paradise near the city and at the foot of the hills, now protected thanks to the National Park of Calanques.
The public garden of your childhood?
I have a special affection for Borely Park. Its "French" garden, its nineteenth century landscaped park, its bastide, its water body, its pier, its alleys where families cross the joggers, its lawns, its rose, its Japanese garden created on the occasion of Kobé, give it a special charm.
It's a ride?
I appreciate walking on the Old Port, arresting the wharf of the brotherhood, enjoying the fish market, in the middle of Marseillais, contemplating the stalls, listening to fishermen selling the fruit of their nets "to shouted" before returning to City Hall.
The museums and theaters you enjoy most?
Our city has an intense cultural life, the reputation of which took its full dimension in 2013, when Marseille was the European capital of culture. But if I had to hold a museum it would be the Museum of History of Marseille. What is more normal for a former history professor! I am also deeply attached to the Memorial of La Marseillaise, a place of memory around the national anthem. How can we not cite the Marseille Opera, this architectural jewel, this exceptional establishment for the richness and diversity of its programming?
What about Pagnol or Guédiguian?
I have tenderness for Marcel Pagnol, for his writings. He was a great writer, but also a brilliant filmmaker. His trilogy Marius, Fanny and Cesar helped to make Marseille famous. They are major works, but timeless. On the occasion of the 120 years of its birth, the city of Marseille released the restored version of the open-air trilogy and free of charge, Place Bargemon, just a few steps from the city hall.
Rather calanious or Pagnol hills?
As mentioned earlier, I am an eternal lover of Sormiou's calanques, even though Marcel Pagnol has managed, with all the talent that was his, to describe the hills of his childhood with his inimitable style and to make thousands of tourists come to visit them.
Your Sunday Brunch?
The Intercontinental brewery offers an exceptional brunch formula, in a place that is just as much, all the dieves. Generous buffets created by the Lionel Levy starry chef are offered.
Your headquarters in town?
My headquarters in town is just my office at Town Hall, on the Harbor Wharf, from where I enjoy an idyllic view on the Old Harbor, the Quai Rive-Neuve, with the basilica of Our Lady of Guard, often nicknamed.
" The Good Mother ".
Your lunch break?
I appreciate lunch "Chez Madie, Galinettes", just a few steps from the City Hall. This is a traditional Marseille restaurant. I admire its Provencal cuisine, even if the map also offers meat and fish specialties. Its terrace on the Old Port adds charm instead.
Your Marseilles favorite dish?
Traditional Marseille cuisine is full of culinary treasures. But if I had to remember one, it would be the feet. The legend of this dish suggests that its origin dates back to the creation of the Phocéean city, 2,600 years ago when Gyptis offered Protis, a pledge of love, lamb of lamb, stuffed with flesh and fragrant herbs. This dish is the ancestor of the Marseille packages, which will add lamb feet later. It is also the traditional dish of the «Provençal dinner», the evening of December 24, or the previous week Christmas.
Your good pizzerias?
Many of the addresses I could recommend to you, the city of Marseille is home to good pizzerias. Among them, "Chez Vincent" occupies a unique place in my eyes. His boss Rose Sugello, who left us recently, was a long-time friend. It was above all an exceptional cook. All the great names of political, cultural, social or economic life have been credited with its revenues. I invite all the pizzas to go there.
Your feet in the water?
These are not the right addresses either! I can quote "L 'Epuisette" in the small fishing port of the Vallon des Auffes, "Les Tamaris" in the calanque of Samena, "Le Péron" on the Kennedy corniche… I leave it to your readers to discover all the other good addresses their feet in the water.
Last good table discovery?
Marseille has a new star chef in the person of Ludovic Turac. This former Top Chef candidate has done a great deal since his participation in this show. Its restaurant «A table in the south» carries the colors of one of the finest tables in Marseille where you can taste fish as well as meat in front of the Old Port.
Your Italian addresses?
At Carmine and Trattoria Marco, two establishments located near the City Hall are two excellent brands specialized in Italian cuisine. I strongly recommend them.
Your favorite Marseilles star?
How can we distinguish the Frérards, Levy, Turac, Mazzia… from each other?
Gérald Passedat is a renowned chef and one of the great personalities of the Phocéean city. Its restaurant «Le Petit Nice» is a true institution. His three stars in the Michelin guide testify to his knowledge and talent. I would also like to quote Alexandre Mazzia and his restaurant «AM», recently distinguished by a star in the Michelin guide for its creative cuisine.
A culinary anecdote?
I keep an excellent memory of my passage on Michel Drucker's issue "Loud Sunday". On that occasion, Jean-Pierre Coffe and I cooked a bouillabaisse at the Miramar before presenting it to the viewers and tasting it in plateau.
If you had to move tomorrow, where would you go?
This is simply inconceivable. I'm too attached to my city, my life.
