France’s oldest city isn’t trying to be polished. That’s precisely its charm. Marseille is a beautiful tangle of cultures, textures, and timeworn grandeur. With its mix of sea air and street art, historic chapels and concept boutiques, there’s an irresistible grit-meets-glamour energy here. One moment you’re standing beneath the striped domes of the Cathédrale de la Major, the next you’re sipping natural wine at a converted épicerie or swimming off the rocks at Vallon des Auffes.
Its layered history—Greek foundations, North African influence, a fiercely independent Mediterranean identity—seeps into every aspect of the city. You taste it in the food, feel it in the rhythm of the streets, and hear it in the blend of languages spoken across neighbourhood markets. This is Marseille: unapologetically diverse, effortlessly magnetic.
It’s the kind of place that rewards wandering. Turn a corner and you might stumble upon a centuries-old bakery, a colourful mural, or a plaza bursting with locals. Base yourself at the charming Hotel La Relève, tucked down a quiet side street in the city centre. From here, every neighbourhood unfurls with character—some vibrant and chaotic, others serene and sea-facing. Each holds stories to tell.
