Macon (CA 132) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 148 text:

Your French guide met you at the ship in Marseilles as you all piled into the bus which was to take the tour party to the train station. His name was Albert, and he assured you that he knew everything about France and especially Paris. Later you learned just how true this was. You ' d heard a lot about the 6-man couchette you ' d be riding in and attempting to sleep in, but it turned out not to be too bad after all. The train pulled out, and, since taps were being sounded back at the almost forgotten ship and your shipmates were turning in, you decided to turn in also. Most of you slept, but come early morning all eyes were open— staring out the win- dows at the haze-covered countryside for those first glimpses of Paris, the City of Light. Finally, you were there. Occasionally you had the feeling that you must be travel weary, but these thoughts were quickly dispelled when you set down to an American ham and eggs break- fast at your hotel. You found the food excellent,- so were yoiu hotel accommodations and the service.

Page 147 text:

rxvxx Marseilles passed to the French c:)ini ' n in 1486 under whose sponsorshi]) the city was rebuilt in the late KKlO ' s. Mar- seilles supported the French Revolution and had its commerce ruined by the Na- poleonic Wars and the Continental block- ades. But with the conquest ol Algeria and the construction of the Suez Canal prosperity again came to the city. World War II and especially the year 1944 saw heavy allied bombing o£ Marseilles and much of Southern France. Today you found a large pier-studded harbor which had been almost complete- ly cleared of the many ships sinik there during the last World War. The Old Port you found to be a large rectangular shaped harbor with a long open seaward side. Leading from the Old Port is the Boulevard La Cannebiere, the main avenue filled with shops of every descrip- tion. Overlooking the city in all its splen- dor you found the beautiful cathedral, Notre Dame de la Garde. From your high altitude observation platform you scanned the coastline and your eyes fell on the Chateau d ' If. From the piers at the Old Port you paid 200 francs for a twenty minute boat ride to the famous island immortalized by Diuuas as the prison of the Count of Monte Cristo. Riding back from the island you scanned the horizon of the entire city ' and wondered just what pleased you so vmuch about this maritime metropolis.

Page 149 text:

The sun was out now— the haze had been binned off and Paris was basking in an almost spring-like sun. Your hotel was just off the Champs Elysees. that broad tree-lined concourse bounded by the Arch of Triumph and the Ttiile- ries Gardens and Louvre Palace. For this morn- ing you were content just to window shop. Soon it was evident why Paris is the fashion center of the world, and it was also obvious that the wom- en who wore these fashions were no less exquisite than the clothes. You were impressed by the architectural splen- dor of the city whose origin dated to four cen- turies after Christ. How Paris maintains the new- ness of a carefully planned city and at the same time the splendor of a city whose history is also the history of the western world remained a mystery no matter how hard you searched for the answer. Soon it was lunch time and again Paris proved that French food deserves the praise it is so generously given. You left the hotel in the afternoon for the tour to Versailles and, immediately, you knew the day was going to be a good one. Her name was Nicole. She was your blond and petite French guide who spoke with an oh-so-slight British ac- cent. You were amazed at the wealth of inter- esting facts she revealed about Paris as the bus sped by the Arch of Triumph and out the Ave- nue de Neuilly through the suburbs which soon had you wondering just where Paris ended and Versailles began. Then you were in the city known as Versailles, a city which grew from a few country houses that existed before the Palace of Versailles was built. In fact Louis XII had his hunting lodge here in the 1630 ' s and 1640 ' s. Gradually the fabu- lous palace was completed by Louis XIV and the 2600 acres of gardens were added. Standing in the cobblestone courtyard of the Palace and looking toward Paris you were reminded of the Windsor Palace with its miles-long boidevard to London. Here, and there, the great men of Europe had come to witness the glory of some of France ' s most colorful kings. Upon entering the Palace you were impressed with the magnificent rooms which had once been filled with the royalty of France and thousands of servants who physically maintained the splen- dor known to all of Europe. The Palace today is still one of the most magnificent show places of Europe. The gilt decorations, scidpturing and painted ceilings bear the touch of the brilliant era of royal splendor.