书城外语英语PARTY——浪漫之都·法国
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第5章 城市导航Cityscapes(3)

Although in many respects Marseille is big and sprawling,dirty and slumlike in many places,there,s much elegance and charm here as well. The Vieux Port,the old harbor,is especially colorful,compensatingcompensating 补偿,补助;修正 to an extent for the dreary industrial dockland nearby. Marseille has always symbolized danger and intrigue,and that reputation is somewhat justified. However,the city is experiencing somewhat of a renaissancerenaissance n.复兴,复活,新生,文艺复兴,文艺复兴时期,and because it is now so easily reached by train from Paris,there is much hope for its future economy. Since the 1970s,a great deal of that economy has revolved around thousands upon thousands of North and subSaharan Africans who have poured into Marseille,creating a lively medley of races and creeds. One quarter of the present population of Marseille is of North African descent. These Africans have flocked here to find a better life than what they had in their own shattered lands.

Marseille today actually occupies twice the amount of land space as Paris,and its ageold problems remain,including a declining drug industry,smugglingsmuggling v.走私,corruption (often at the highest levels),the Mafia,and racial tension. Unemployment,as always,is on the rise. But in spite of all these difficulties,it,s a bustling,always fascinating city unlike any other in France. A city official proclaimed recently that “Marseille is the unbeloved child of France. It,s attached to France,but has the collective consciousness of an Italian citystate,like Genoa or Venice.”

Marseille is a good choice for a visit in this country. If you are a newcomer to the area or haven,t visited for a while,the information provided on this and related pages will prove invaluableinvaluable adj.无价的,价值无法衡量的 in assisting you to make your holiday or business venture here,as simple as a stroll down your local street back home.

The oldest city in the country,Marseille is its premier port. A popular seaside destination,the area has far more to offer than water related activities.

The city is a showpiece,rising above a picture perfect seaport framed by enormous neoByzantine churches and the winding alleywaysalleyway n.小巷,窄街,(船上的)通道 of the old town reveal ancient buildings,simply begging your discovery.

Whether visiting on business or travelling around the country with your family,there,s ton,s to see and do here. Museums,galleries,theatres,monuments (such as Pharos Palace),various forts,the St Victors Abbey as well as the Panier district where the ancient Phocaeans first settled,are worth experiencing.

Marseille,is often thought of as a series of small neighbourhoods,each with its own unique history and traditions. Some are renowned for their beaches (La Vielle Chapelle),some for the famous artists who were inspired there (L,Estaque for Cezanne and Braque) and still others for their charming harbours (La Vallon des Auffes,La Pointe Rouge,Le Vieux Port). Visit the NotreDamedelaGarde Cathedral,the Museum of the Roman Docks,the town hall,Chateau d,If (mentioned in The Count of Monte Cristo) and much more.

The Vieux Port,the old harbour,is especially colourful,in contrast to the somewhat dreary industrial dockland nearby. It is also the destination of many north and subSaharan Africans,who,along with the Italians,French,Lebanese and Armenians,create a lively mix of races that make up much of the local populace in the area.

Marseille today occupies twice the amount of land space as Paris. In spite of the difficulties inevitablyinevitably adv.不可避免 associated with life in a large city,it is bustling,always fascinating,and unlike any other in France.

Known for its beaches,(it has 35 miles of gorgeous coastline) and for its superb bouillabaisse (which all visitors should sample) it is now emerging as a dynamic creative centre for musicians,filmmakers,theatre directors and fashion and furniture designers.

Nice Overview

度假天堂——尼斯

如果说巴黎是时尚的代言、国际文化的交融点,那么,尼斯一带的法国南部地中海沿岸便是一片大自然赐予的纯净天地了。这里有着世外桃源的味道,地中海的光与影、海岸与天空,造就了这里的人超越其他欧洲人的艺术气质,看看眼前这大自然的恩赐吧,每一个画面都是一幅绝美的油画,又怎能不催生出诗情画意呢?

度假天堂尼斯

环绕地中海的城市都带着令人憧憬的色彩,而尼斯更堪称是其中最大、名气最盛的度假城市。尼斯机场也是仅次于巴黎的法国第二大机场,巴黎飞尼斯每天有30个以上航班,航程1小时20分。若是搭TGV则是2小时左右。尼斯以其全年温和的地中海气候,灿烂的阳光、悠长的石滩,以及裸体晒太阳的美女而闻名。有人这样形容尼斯:“尼斯是个懒人城、闲人城、老人城、无聊城。”在二战前,这里就是欧洲贵族的最爱,造访名单中包括沙皇尼古拉一世遗孀,英国维多利亚女皇等。另外,野兽派领导人物马蒂斯与俄裔法籍画家夏加尔的美术馆也为尼斯再添重量级魅力。

这个世人们渴望徜徉的度假胜地,从高岗向下望,是呈弓型的宽广蓝色海岸,两岸旁的高大椰影使得刺眼的阳光变得柔和许多,而古罗马帝国时代所遗留的古老街道,让尼斯更散发出怀古的幽思。尼斯的英国滨海大道Promenadedesanglais是一条沿着海滨全长3.5公里的大街。它汇集了众多超一流的饭店,这些饭店都有各自的购物中心和海滩区。中间有公用海滩区,人们可以自由出入。过了复活节,当人们刚刚感受到初夏阳光时,便有众多喜好日光浴的美女们来这里,一展美妙的身姿。这里也是尼斯人的乐园,尼斯人在此放狗的放狗,钓鱼的钓鱼,跑步的跑步,游泳的游泳,各适其适、各有欢愉,更多的是闲坐,惬意地享受阳光。

嘉年华狂欢节

嘉年华源起于进入斋戒月前的大肆狂欢活动,尼斯嘉年华大概是世界嘉年华中最盛大的,除了尼斯本身的优良条件占极大优势,从1294年以来,尼斯嘉年华深受皇室参与支持也是其历久不衰的原因。尼斯嘉年华每年2月举行,为期2~3星期,活动非常多元化,包括街头表演、烛光晚会、大游行、花车游行、化装舞会等。嘉年华会时,整个城市都沉醉在烟火、游行及化装舞会中。而令人新奇的面具是狂欢节的特色,在古代的时候,那些面具的相貌更是吓人。古人相信,那是驱邪攘魔,以及防止农作物之害的良法。尼斯的狂欢节,人们在大马路上巡行载歌载舞,经数日而不衰,节目多姿多彩,令全市飘荡着欢乐的气氛。在这段时间内,游人还可以到邻近的芒通参加当地独特的传统节庆“柠檬节”Feteducitron。

Nice,the fifth largest city in France,acts as a magnet attracting people from all over the world,for a multitudemultitude n.多数,群众 of reasons. Not only renowned for its grace,Nice has become a hub for research in industry,science and advanced technology since the creation of such centers as Acropolis and Sophia Antipolis. The Palais de Congrès,a convention center,can accomodate diverse functions and the international airport has a capacity that only Paris can better.

Both elegant and simple,Nice,s charm comes from its exceptional climate as well as its beauty. Even in the winter the café terraces are filled with people happily drinking and contemplating the ultra famous Promenade des Anglais. Always in flower this wonderful walk follows along the bay,looking out onto the Baie des Anges and the beaches on one side,and on the other such luxury hotels as the Negresco.