aixcentric

The town authorities are in sell-off mode, wishing to divest themselves of buildings that aren’t functional and are costing too much to maintain.

First up is the Hotel de Valbelle in rue Mignet which currently houses the sous-

Photo: J M Campaner sous licence Creative Commons 3.0

prefecture. It’s where you have to go for various administration items like re-registering your car and it’s very cramped and gloomy.

The new building is underway, just down from the gare routier.  Interested?  If so, the Hotel de Valbelle will set you back about 10m euros.

Alternatively, there’s the Hotel de Castillon just down the cours from Monoprix.  The ground floor used to be the art gallery for the Conseil General which is much missed.  Anyway, it too is up for sale for 15m euros.  Mayor Marysse Joissans emphasises that they are looking for the ‘best possible purchaser’ for this prestigious site, a museum or a ‘hotel de charme’.

Meanwhile, down in Marseille, I read that the ferryboat is under threat.  No!  Apparently there isn’t funding for the staff needed.  What a shame it would be to lose this part of Marseille’s heritage.  It’s great to take a short cut across the Vieux Port and see all the boats.  The old wooden César was wonderful but the new sleek and silent solar version is gorgeous. 

On a more positive note, a new-to-town bus company, Megabus, has started a 1 euro Marseille-Paris service.  Part of the Scottish Stagecoach group, they are in competition with SNCF’s Ouibus and also Eurolines.  This new situation has arisen under the Loi Macron which aims to boost employment by introducing competition.  Megabus currently serves 150 destinations in UK, North America and Europe.  The aller-retour to Paris will cost 2.50€ (the 50c is for admin)…..but will take 10 hours.