Marseille: raw, Mediterranean and full of character
Marseille isn’t a city that smooths its edges. It stays a little rough around the seams — and that’s exactly where its charm lies. This is a place that breathes, pulses, and lives at its own pace. It’s Southern France, but with its own rhythm, its own dialect, and a colourful blend of cultures. No polished facade, but a raw beauty you have to feel, taste, and experience.
You’ll wander from fishing harbours to design stores, from market chaos to sleek museums. And along the way, you’ll taste the sun, the sea, and the many stories this captivating city has to offer.
The soul of the city
On a sunlit morning, you might find yourself wandering through Le Panier, Marseille’s oldest neighbourhood. Sun-warmed façades, narrow stairways, street art, and laundry lines swaying in the breeze. This is where your day begins slowly — with an espresso on a corner terrace or a still-warm navette from a tiny bakery.
From there, you stroll through Cours Julien — a mix of bold graffiti and indie boutiques — and head down to Vallon des Auffes, a tiny port where fishing boats float quietly in the light and the sun sets over the sea. Marseille isn’t a city to tick off — it’s a place to sink into.
Food in Marseille: earthy, honest and full of soul
Marseille’s cuisine is as characterful as the city itself. Don’t expect fancy frills, but do expect bold flavours, seasonal ingredients, and a Mediterranean palette that’s as rich as it is pure.
Think panisse — crispy chickpea fries served with sea salt and lemon. Or fragrant stews, spiced tomato sauces, grilled squid, fresh figs, olive oil and orange blossom. The atmosphere? Relaxed, warm, unpretentious — whether you’re at a bustling café table or a rooftop with harbour views.
A spot that captures this spirit beautifully is Sage, a Nice2stay favourite. In a calm, sunlit interior, they serve seasonal dishes that are both surprising and familiar. It’s all about honest cooking, local ingredients, and the beauty of simplicity. A table here is a must during your Marseille stay.
Marseille is the kind of place where you stumble upon one of your best meals — with no plan at all.
Calanques & sea
The city borders one of Southern France’s most dramatic and stunning natural areas: Les Calanques. Towering limestone cliffs plunge into turquoise waters. Pine-scented trails lead to hidden coves, where the sea is glass-clear and the sunlight dances on the rocks.
In the early morning, the light is soft and everything feels still. Perfect for a picnic, a refreshing swim, or just a few quiet hours in nature — before heading back into the city with salt on your skin and sand between your toes.
Shopping local & wandering with style
Marseille is a city of makers. Instead of big-name chains, you’ll find ateliers, concept stores and artisan workshops. Fashion, ceramics, soaps, vintage furniture — everything with a story and a soul. Some shops blend boutique, gallery and café under one roof, in a laid-back atmosphere with an eye for detail.
And on the city’s markets, you get a full taste of Marseille life: fragrant spices, handmade soaps, bold fabrics and vibrant colours.
Art, culture & contrasts
From contemporary architecture to street art, Marseille is bursting with creativity. Whether it’s the sea-view terrace at the museum, a photo exhibit in an old factory, a mural walk through Cours Julien or a summer film screening on a modernist rooftop — culture here is raw and poetic.
It’s this blend of rough and refined, of old and new, of silence and energy, that gives Marseille its unique power.
Why Marseille?
Because it lives. Because it stirs something in you. Because it challenges and surprises. You can walk from rugged cliffs to soft beaches, from graffiti-covered streets to elegant courtyards, from bold coffee to natural wine.
And whether you’re looking for an urban base or a tranquil hideaway in the hills — with Nice2stay, you’ll experience Marseille in style. Our handpicked collection in Provence — now including a very special home in the heart of Marseille — is perfect for those seeking peace, character and inspiration in the South of France.
Why choose the Provence region?