Want to visit Provence? Discover the Cité Phocéenne by finding the best neighborhood to stay in Marseille!
Prefecture of the Bouches-du-Rhône department and France’s second largest city with a population of 861,635, Marseille – also known as the Phocéenne city – is one of the jewels of Provence: popular atmosphere, year-round sunshine, beaches, splendid calanques with turquoise waters, limestone massifs and garrigues, picturesque neighborhoods and multicultural influences: it’s good to live in the Marseille region.
Accommodation in Marseille can be expensive or inexpensive, depending on the arrondissement and the accommodation on offer: homestay apartments (Airbnb), hotels, youth hostels…
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The Phocaean city boasts a breathtaking historical and cultural heritage, with human occupation dating back to the Paleolithic era, between 27,000 and 19,000 BC. Since ancient times, the city has occupied a strategic position in the Mediterranean basin, thanks to its commercial port, industrial and tourist infrastructures. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Marseille, here’s where to find it.
The Vieux Port
As is often the case in cities, it’s the center that’s the most interesting. Marseille’s Vieux-Port is waterfront living close to everything: restaurants, cafés, historic monuments, popular neighborhoods and museums. Lodging at the Vieux-Port is an ideal spot to take an urban stroll without taking the metro, from the Canebière to the Rue de Rome, from the Rue de la République to the Panier or the Corniche du Pharo. The Vieux-Port is also the perfect place to sample fish fresh from the fish auction: the fish auction market, held Monday to Sunday mornings, is a must-see in the district.
La Canebière
Continuing into the city center, the Canebière is a kilometer-long thoroughfare that’s not to be missed. A little noisy, it has the advantage of always being active and dynamic. In the morning, the daily market, the shops and the festive atmosphere in the evening bring the whole city together. A frenetic atmosphere guaranteed! Avoid it if you hate noise, but otherwise it’s a great neighborhood to stay in Marseille, close to everything.
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La Plaine and Cours Julien
A veritable institution for young people and students in Marseilles, this is the popular bobo spot where you can enjoy committed art in all its forms (theater, painting, photography, music, drawing, etc.) and think about the alternatives of the future while drinking organic coffee or tea. It’s a bit of a caricature, but that’s what it’s all about, and it’s good to smell the creative soul and the seed of the artist growing in the area. In the evenings, people flock to Place Jean Jaurès – even the administrative names are left-leaning – renamed La Plaine, to enjoy drinks and meals on the terrace. Central, festive and lively: our best neighborhood to stay in Marseille (we’re probably bobo too!).
Le Panier
For an authentic, picturesque and historic stay in Marseille, aim for Le Panier. Not to follow in the footsteps of the TV series “Plus belle la vie” – which wasn’t even filmed in the district – but because wandering through this maze of popular, narrow, cramped streets, dappled in yellows, reds, oranges and ochres, is always a feast for the eyes. Cars don’t pass through here, giving you the feeling of being in a tiny town in the South of France. Many small bars and cafés dot the narrow streets, where you can enjoy a terrace with a fountain and olive trees, the typical charm of Provence under the sound of cicadas (when there are trees…). If you’re looking for peace and quiet, don’t hesitate to stay in Marseille’s Panier district.
>> Read also: Visiting Marseille: the 11 things to do when visiting the first time
