Information for: Marseille
France’s second city is located on the south east coast of France on the Mediterranean. Marseille is France’s largest commercial port – known as Vieux Port. It is also France’s third largest metropolitan area after Paris and Lyon. Marseille may not have a particularly glamorous reputation but don’t let that put you off coming here. The Vieux Port (Old Port) has the views, the bars and no shortage of great restaurants. And this French connection to Africa and beyond has more than its fair share of cultural and shopping attractions too.
Hotels located in: Marseille
Pullman Marseille Palm Beach
The Pullman Marseille Palm Beach is a riviera-style boutique hotel on the Med. This is a classy ex-Sofitel number attractive both inside and out. It can also get quite lively at times. You’ve escaped from the city here but are still close enough to get in and out easily. There are lovely leisure and wellbeing [...]
2 Impasse de la PlageMarseille
Tel No: +334 91 161900
Le Petit Nice-Passédat
Marseille’s most exclusive hotel Le Petit Nice-Passédat is located on the southern edge of the city. It is occasionally visited by visiting celebrities. This small 16 room hotel is minimalist and modern and offers some unrivalled dining in it’s restaurant which has 3 Michelin stars. An absolutely gorgeous place to stay.
Anse de MaldorméCorniche J.F. Kennedy
Tel No: +04 91 59 25 92
New Hotel of Marseille
The New Hotel of Marseille is an original and eccentric 4-star boutique offering. Look out for flashy furniture and fluorescent rainbow corridors – this place stands out a mile from the Marseille norm. Le Victor Cafe Restaurant has a sun terrace. There’s a Bar and an outdoor swimming pool where you can soak up the sun, [...]
71 Boulevard Charles LivonMarseille
Tel No: +334 91 315315
Hotel Sofitel Marseille Vieux Port
Hotel Sofitel Marseille Vieux Port is a modern and impressive 5-star from this upmarket chain. A popular business oriented option that is in a great location. Here you will enjoy great views over the city and you’re right in amongst it with many great venues nearby. Expensive but worth it. Look out for great in-house [...]
36 Boulevard Charles LivonMarseille
Tel No: +334 91 155900
Radisson Blu Hotel Marseille
A new-ish (2007) Radisson Blu offering in an ideal location. If you choose to stay here you will find yourself right in amongst the Vieux Port’s bars and restaurants – youwill not have to go far for a good night out. A smart and stylish offering with good in-house dining and drinking options. Also good facilities [...]
38-40 Quai de Rive-NueveMarseille
Tel No: +334 88 921950
Culture & Entertainment Located in: Marseille
Le Bar de la Marine
Le Bar de la Marine is a legendary venue that’s popular with a well-heeled crowd. The perfect place to meet before a big night out. It’s in an ideal location with top views out over the Vieux Port. An all-round cool place to have a drink. We think you’ll like it here!
15 Quai de Rive-NeuveMarseille
Tel No: +334 91 549542
Le Bar du Sofitel Vieux Port
Le Bar du Sofitel Vieux Port is undeniably stylish luxury within the hotel of the same name. In a great Vieux Port location there are loads of other dining and drinking options nearby. You can expect world class drinks and world class views. Stop in here for an expensive drink or two before moving on.
36 Boulevard Charles LivonMarseille
Tel No: +334 91 155900
Le Café Parisien
Le Café Parisien is a well known city resto-bar in an ideal Vieux Port location. Recently renovated to recapture some of its former glory it’s upmarket and elegant. The food here is good too. A good place to appreciate the finer things in Marseille.
1 Place Sadi CarnotMarseille
Tel No: +334 91 900577
Le Crystal
Le Crystal – with its retro pop decor – is frequented by the young and hip of Marseille most of whom head off to more night spots after a quick meet-up and a drink. The food is ok but the cocktails which are available at the flashy bar with its yellow wood paneling and red [...]
148 Quai du PortMarseille
Tel No: +334 91 915796
Zoo Bar
Zoo Bar is an off-the-wall looking city party hangout! Expect something a bit different here – the decor is made up of stretched skins and bamboo! Open Thursday through to Sunday things go on until the early hours here – this is the place if you want a long nights drinking and dancing.
79 Promenade Georges PompidouMarseille
Tel No: +334 91 762156
El Cochino
There’s a surprisingly low number of wine bars in Marseille. However El Cochino is authentic, pleasant and convivial. Wine can be ordered by the glass or by the bottle to accompany plates of cold pork or excellent cheeses. There’s often jazz music playing in the background here while the tables and chairs are all made [...]
11 rue des Trois-MagesMarseille
Tel No: +334 91 472966
Restaurants Located in: Marseille
La Ferme
Definitely one of the city’s best restaurants. La Ferme is elegant, upmarket and expensive – this is Marseille’s finest fine dining! Expect French cuisine mixed and presented in a unique manner. It’s best to book in advance if you’re coming here – and dress smart!
23 Rue SainteMarseille
Tel No: +334 91 332112
Le Miramar
Le Miramar is regarded by locals as one of the best restaurants in town. A seafood-leaning upmarket option. It also manages to avoid being too stuffy – it’s pretty relaxed in here. An ideal spot for wine lovers – they have a very impressive local national and international wine list.
12 Quai PortMarseille
Tel No: +334 91 911040
L’Indigo Cafe
L’Indigo Cafe is a trendy-ish Tex-Mex restaurant that’s a popular alternative. Attractive and in a pretty convenient location right by the sea. The surroundings are authentic enough and all the favourites are there for your Tex-Mex fix. Not the cheapest place in town but far from expensive.
Escale BorelyMarseille
Tel No: +334 91 712192
Al Dente
Al Dente is a popular Italian restaurant that’s been doing its thing for almost 25 years now. There aren’t too many Italian restaurants in Marseille but this one stands out. It’s pretty popular with locals too. Home made pasta dishes are the big thing here – and taste lovely! Over all a little on the [...]
10 Rue Edmond RostandMarseille
Tel No: +334 91 816745
L’Epuisette
Decorated in the blue and white colours of Marseille, L’Epuisette is perched on the rocks in the north of the city. At this popular restaurant wonder-chef Guillaume Sourrieu produces some truly amazing seafood dishes. You’ll have to travel a little to come here but if fish dishes are your thing you’ll absolutely love it!
156 Rue Vallon des AuffesMarseille
Tel No: +334 91 521782
La Baie du Dragon
La Baie du Dragon is a popular restaurant for serious fans of Asian food! You can expect a varied menu that takes in dishes from China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Expect to see plenty of locals in here – and it’s advisable to book in advance. All-in-all a pretty cheap place to eat compared [...]
8 Place N D du MontMarseille
Tel No: +334 91 927478
Sporting/Leisure/Beauty Located in: Marseille
Centre Bourse
Centre Bourse is shopping mall complex. Conveniently located close to the Vieux Port. Open Monday through to Saturday from 9.30am til 7.30pm. This multi-level mall features over 60 stores as well as restaurants and other services. Among the main highlights is The Nouvelles Galleries a large national department store. Good rather than terrific.
Cours BelsunceMarseille
Tel No: +334 91 140050
Zara
Marseille’s main shopping street offers a branch of Zara the popular clothing chain that combines several styles to make sure there’s something for all tastes. Although this is classed as a ‘factory outlet’ you’ll hardly notice. It’s busy lively and the staff are pretty sharp too. Worth checking out.
Centre Commercial Grand LittoralMarseille
Amandine
A world made out of chocolate? The amazing Amandine is about as close as it gets! Located in the centre of the city everything is made out of chocolate (well not the staff or the walls!) – photographs, works of art, frames and posters in various shades. Plus some which you can eat such as [...]
475 rue ParadisMarseille
Tel No: + 33 4 91 71 77 10
Association of Scuba Diving Marseille
Marseille is a reasonably popular destination for scuba diving and this local association that can put you in touch with with the right trainers/scuba groups depending on when you’re visiting the city. This is your chance to explore the underwater wonders of the area without having to go far! As you’d expect training for novices [...]
Hotel Mistral31 Ave de la Pointe Rouge
MarseilleTel No: +334 91 734469
Rue Saint Ferreol
The best shopping in Marseille can be found off of the city’s main thoroughfare and most famous street La Canabiere located east of the Old Port. Rue Staint Ferreol is a long walking street between Rue de Rome and Rue Breteuil and is lined with clothes boutiques shoe shops jewellery stores department stores – and a Virgin [...]
Marseille
Les Bains de Breteuil Hammam
When you arrive at the Bains de Breteuil you’ll very quickly feel at ease: the aroma of essential oils, the mint tea, the gentle decor. Then it’s down to some serious relaxation! The staff in this place are very switched on and they will guide you through their comprehensive range of treatments and facilities. You’ll [...]
46 rue de breteuilMarseille
Tel No: +334 96 102210
Entertainment located in: Marseille
Museum of Contemporary Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art is located not far from the Bonneveine shopping centre. It hosts both permanent and temporary exhibitions in an area of 4000 m2. The contemporary art collection brings together work from the 1960′s to the present day. It offers a broad view of current practises and there’s a real modern ‘buzz’ [...]
avenue de HaïfaMarseilles
Tel No: +04 91 25 01 07
Theatre Criee La CRIéE
Theatre Criee La CRIéE  (National Theatre of Marseille) hosts a varied programme of live entertainment from French classics to modern experimental works. This is without question the top theatre in town. Founded in 1981 it has since developed an excellent reputation for both quality and variety and is very well-supported by the local population which isalways [...]
30 Quai Rive NeuveMarseille
Tel No: +334 96 178000
Ballet National de Marseille
To take your cultural entertainment up another notch The Ballet National de Marseille is well worth a visit. This very famous and internationally acclaimed ballet provides performances in Marseille every year and it really is a bit special. Other dance troupes also use the facilities to give performances so it’s always best to check the [...]
20 Boulevard GabèsMarseilles
Tel No: +33 4 91 71 36 32
Opéra municipal de Marseille
Initially built in the 18th century the Opera Municipal was transformed into an opera house in the early 1800′s. Rebuilt following a devastating fire in 1924 in Art-deco style. It’s a unique building that is something of a shrine to operatic theatre in France. Performances are regularly staged here by the National Ballet and monthly [...]
2 Rue MolièreMarseilles
Tel No: +33 4 91 55 00 70
Palais de la Bourse
One of the city’s main tourist attractions this neo-classical palace is located close to the Vieux Port. Originally designed for Napoleon III it houses Marseilles’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as the Maritime Museum. This splendid building will have you pointing and chatting for long enough. Well worth checking out when you’re in [...]
9 La CanebièreMarseille
Tel No: +33 8 10 11 31 13