“C’est la sardine qui a bouché le port de Marseille!” (A sardine blocked Marseille’s port!)
This local saying is famous throughout France. Another that is less well-known is “Chercher Molinari” (look for Molinari). Both expressions, curiously, come from the same famous disaster that took place in the 18th century.
Can a little bitty sardine really block a great big port? Yes! Well, kind of.
Read all about it in Perfectly Provence!