How Europe works with work. Let's make it our business!

Our team has chosen to work on the theme of Transports in our region opened to the Mediterranean sea.
Marseilles has always been an important harbour in the Mediterranean sea, the first one today. The richness and prosperity of the city is due to its spirit of enterprise and its contact with the East through all the times.
Today a new project is been developped to modernize our harbour. It is called « Euroméditerranée ». Its aim is to attract modern enterprises and create new jobs to dynamize our city in terms of employment.

With our students, we are working on the theme of WORK in our city from the origin to the modern times. Marseilles intends to valorize its maritime heritage as the Capital of Culture in Europe in 2013.

Plan of our work

2011- 2012

1. The history of Marseilles harbour

1st visit : 23/09/11 « The Old Port »

We have visited the first Old Port with the 2 forts which protected it :

Fort Saint Nicolas and Fort Saint Jean.

The relationships between Marseilles and France (Royal power and Revolution).

Trade and protection in the Mediterranean sea.

2. Work and Art : the origins of our cultural heritage : maritime trading, shipping

a) An example of architecture: our school « Lycée Montgrand » built in the 18th century (1745) as a private mansion by the rich shipowner Roux de Corse.

b) A masterpiece « The entrance of Marseilles port » painted in the 17th century by Joseh Verney, a navy painter which represents the merchants and the commercial activities of the Old Port

3. The first Chamber of Commerce was created in Marseilles

(a visit, December 2011)

4. The role of the islands for the protection of the harbour

(a visit, by boat if possible March 2012)

5. The new harbour in the North of the city

(a visit, by boat if possible May 2012)

2012 – 2013

1. The new harbour district

« Euroméditerranée », an entirely new business area for offices and enterprises

2. Art : the district of the new harbour

« L’Estaque » seen by Cézanne, Braque, Renoir

3. The first tower in Marseilles CMA-CGM also called « The french line »

it hosts the biggest maritime company : CMA-CGM (the tower is147 meters high)

4. Enterprises

COMEX a high tehnology enterprise

5. The new green transports

Silent boats for the tourists (short cruises). An example « the ferry boat » to cross the Old Port

6. The transport of passengers

Companies and destinations (Algeria, Tunisia, Corsica)

7. Transports and tourism

The cruises (Costa etc.)

Employment and jobs for the city

8) The industrial buildings : a heritage for Marseilles culture

The « Silo » (the grain silo) is now a music hall

CONCLUSION : The new face of Marseilles thanks to the new harbour district bringing the modernization of the city and jobs for its population.