Marseille: Coastal and Cosmopolitan
Marseille's sun-drenched coastal vibes will draw you in and give you many reasons to linger.
From its aperitif-loving locals and cultural offerings, to its art, architecture and nearby national parks, few cities deliver like Marseille.
Marseille also manages to seamlessly blend the old world with the new, moving effortlessly from the narrow streets of Le Panier, the city's oldest district, to the ultra-modern MUCEM museum that sits right on the water. The museum's outer shell plays with the light to create different impressions throughout the day, and the collection of art and history inside tracks the way different civilizations moved through and influenced this part of the world.
Another architectural gem a bit further from the city center is La Cité Radieuse, created by famous architect Le Corbusier. Its colorful facade and iconic rooftop show a unique vision for a city within a city – not to mention a great viewpoint across southern Marseille and the Mediterranean coast.
Marseille is a city of undulating hills that play a big part in creating its unique character. The largest slope runs up to Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, who's views across the sprawling city and its coastline more than make up for the steep climb.
Marseille really isn't short on spectacular views, especially at Sepia, a restaurant focused on seasonal french dishes with an epic harbor setting. It's the perfect place for a sunset meal with a glass of local provencal wine in hand.
The appeal of Marseille goes beyond the city limits. as the unspoiled nature of the Calanques National Park is just under an hour away. The clear water and dramatic cliffs shelter calm pebble and sand beaches – perfect for swimming or boating. Relax by the water or get active on a hike along the many trails up and around the miniature fjords.
For those wanting these views, but teamed with comfortable amenities and fresh design, check out the nearby Tuba Club restaurant and hotel. Tuba Club sits in a renovated and repurposed former diving school that's full of eye-catching interior design touches. Their onsite seafood restaurant and a private beach complete the boutique retreat's offering.
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Alex is the director of program management at Origin with previous experience at Airbnb and Uber. When he's not bringing together teams in the Product space - he's probably traveling to research for his own travel guide site, Booklet. He's currently based in Amsterdam but has visited 63 countries (and counting) and lived on four different continents so far. He's always happy to talk about his three T's - travel, tea, and tiki bars.
Images courtesy of https://restaurant-sepia.fr and www.tuba-club.com