 Life
in the hills surrounding Marseille
The pine-clad hills and coastline around Marseille are a world
away from the noise of the city. The Blue Coast, la Côte Bleue,
is a rugged landscape whose remarkable scenery remains relatively
untouched.
In the hills off the Côte Bleue, villages like Le Rove once
depended on goat farming to make a living. The goats were used
in the production of the distinctive local cheese, la Brousse
du Rove, which is still made today.
The smell of pine, herbs and lavender fills the air but, as
with much of the Provençal countryside around Marseille, the
landscape is in great danger. Devastating forest fires regularly
scar the land. In these fires the pine trees burn easily and
the winds fan the flames, increasing the destructive force.
Local volunteers are attempting to remedy the situation by using
traditional techniques like stone-wall terracing and by planting
fire-resistant trees like olive and oak. The size of the task
ahead is enormous but all the locals are keen to preserve the
area's natural beauty.
Links
A tourist guide with general information on the region, in both French and English.
More information on the countryside and flora and fauna around Marseille. In English and French.
These links do not constitute
an endorsement by the 麻豆社 of the companies, their services or
products. The 麻豆社 is not responsible for the content of external
sites. |
