Where to stay in Marseille?

Accommodation near Marseille's Old Port

Marseille is a very old city, whose port dates back to 600 BC. As the historic center of the Phocaean city, the Vieux-Port is an excellent place to stay to experience local life, culture and history up close. Once a calanque, this area gradually developed with the presence of Greek settlers, who named it Massalia. Over the centuries, it became increasingly important, until it had to be extended as far as La Joliette to accommodate more commercial ships. It was thus an economic hub for the growing city, which became France's second-largest port in the 19th century.

As a result, there's a myriad of buildings from different eras to see in the harbour area. Architectural styles intermingle to create an eclectic landscape that reflects its eventful past. Today, it's a place where visitors and locals alike like to meet for a drink on the terrace and enjoy the view under the Mediterranean sun. You can choose between the Opéra or Mairie sides to stay in this part of town.

We've selected a few places to visit in Marseille's Vieux-Port and a choice of interesting accommodations:

• the fish market: A true Marseilles institution, this is where you can discover the night's fishing
• the flower market: a friendly market held on Tuesdays and Saturdays
• l'ombrière de Norman Foster: Designed by the architect of the same name, this huge futuristic mirror stands on the Quai de la Fraternité

Choose to stay on La Canebière: the lively thoroughfare

If you decide to stay in the Canebière district, this is themain artery of the Phocaean city, home to most of the city's shopping hotspots. Historically, it was the economic heart of the city, trading in hemp to make ropes for the port industry. After many extensions, it is now a pedestrian-only alleyway served by the tramway, providing easy access to this shopping district, which opens onto the sea with the Vieux-Port.

You'll find numerous cafés, restaurants and shops, and can easily stroll along the perpendicular lanes of the avenue, where you'll also come across local designer boutiques. Being connected to the Eglise des Réformés, the Canebière thoroughfare allows you to see many points of interest and stay in one of the liveliest spots. Be sure to take this into account, as the area can be noisy.

• Palais Longchamp: Symbolic of Marseille's water, this 19th-century palace features a cascading fountain and serves two museums and a park to the rear.
• Cours Julien: This is the artists' district, where you'll find plenty of street art.
• Le Vieux-Port : Accessible at the end of the avenue, this is the most popular tourist spot, offering incomparable views of the port.

We've put together a small selection of the best places to stay in this part of Marseille:

Stay in an authentic area: Le Panier

Le Panier is Marseille's most charming spot. If you're looking for an authentic , picturesque place to set down your suitcases, the best place to do so is this little corner that looks like a village in the South of France. Cars are not allowed to circulate here, which really gives you the feeling of living in a village. Stroll through the many narrow streets to appreciate the architecture and colorful style of Le Panier's typical Mediterranean style. Pretty fountains planted with olive trees await you for a break in the sun while you sip your cool drink.

When you choose to stay in the Panier area, you're guaranteed a relaxing stay in a friendly, charming atmosphere. You'll be drawn in by the many artists' studios, designer boutiques and cultural venues that line the three hills of this emblematic part of Marseille. A bit like an open-air museum, you'll love getting lost in its streets and staircases, becoming one of Marseille's must-sees.

We've selected the must-see sights in this part of Marseille:

• Cathédrale la Major: Neo-Byzantine in style, this ornate cathedral is one of the city's and Panier's landmark buildings.
• Mucem - Musée des civilisations méditerranéennes: A must-see for history buffs who want to know everything there is to know about Marseille.
• Hôtel de Cabre : A 16th-century building that was moved 90° on jacks after the Second World War.

Below are the best places to stay in the Panier area during your stay:

Staying near Saint-Charles station

If you're looking for accommodation near Marseille's Saint-Charles train station, you'll be right to set down your suitcases in this lively part of town. Built in 1893, the station was inaugurated at the turn of the century, in 1927, and was placed on the heights of an ancient plateau, which means it can only be accessed via themonumental staircase facing the center. It's not the most beautiful part of Marseille, but you'll have the advantage of being close to the station for a short overnight stay , for example. Restaurants, bars and shops in the vicinity of the Saint Charles station will liven up your visit to the city.

Around the station, at the bottom of its monumental staircase, you'll find mainly bed & breakfasts and a few hotels around the Place des Marseillaises. Apartments are also available in this area. If you go a little further afield, to boulevard de la liberté, you'll find a number of attractive turn-of-the-century facades and some interesting guest houses and B&Bs.

Here's our selection of places to stay in the Gare Saint-Charles area:

Stay along Corniche Kennedy to Prado

When visiting Marseille, it's impossible to miss the beautiful Corniche Kennedy, named after the former U.S. president, which runs along the southern part of the city from the Plage des Catalans to the Plage du Prado. It's one of the most popular spots for locals and tourists alike, as the untamed landscape attracts many visitors. You'll be able to enjoy not only the beaches, but also the fishermen's shacks, historic monuments, Belle Epoque villas, luxury hotels and prestigious establishments. Indeed, it's along the corniche that Provençal gastronomy is showcased in a number of renowned venues.

The Plage des Catalans is the closest to the city center, and the most easily accessible for quick refreshments. The underwater museum is also right next door, where you can observe the seabed and submerged statues. Further afield, the Plage du Prophète attracts a large number of Marseille's youngest residents, making it an ideal place for children and moonlit evenings. But it's the beaches created in the 70s, known as the Prado, that are certainly the most interesting. More secluded, right next to the magnificent Parc Borély, you'll be able to stay in a wide range of accommodation facing the sea or more secluded from the crowded areas.

Staying along the Corniche is the ideal way to spend a few days in Marseille during the summer months, as you'll be able to take advantage of the exceptional scenery and the many restaurants that make the city so famous. You'll find hotels and resorts ranging from mid-range to top-of-the-range.