Marseille, Mon Amour (A 3-day travel journal ) – Day 1

Marseille is an instant crush. A raw, sun-drenched city that greets you like an old friend. From the moment we arrived, we felt the pulse of this port city with a thousand faces — Mediterranean, concrete and poetry all woven together. And let’s just say this short getaway quickly turned into a bright, hedonistic escape.

First Impressions: Artsy check-in, sea-sprayed feast & golden hour

Check-in at Mama Shelter Marseille, in the Notre-Dame-du-Mont district. Same playful, urban vibe typical of the brand: Starck-designed decor, relaxed atmosphere, and attentive staff. The rooms could use a little refresh, but ours — spacious and on a corner — offered great natural light and an open view over the city.

Next stop: the Grandes Halles du Vieux-Port. This contemporary and vibrant food court gathers local artisans around a central bar: joyful ambiance, no-fuss cuisine. Envisioned as a Mediterranean agora right in the heart of the city, the Halles stretch across 2,000 square meters designed by interior architect Olympe Zographos, with a buzzing terrace and an impressive variety of regional flavors. You’ll see families brunching, colleagues grabbing lunch, curious tourists…

A space that brings people together. Julien Fabre, one of the co-founders, speaks of a human and gastronomic project, created to spotlight Southern flavors in a spirit of sharing.

We ordered some plump oysters, crispy fried calamari, and a half-and-half pizza (a local institution). Paired with a fruity white from Cassis. A DJ played a summer groove in the background. Pure Marseille.

We headed to the Sofitel  Dantes Skylounge  for golden hour. Possibly the best panoramic view in town. Overlooking the boats, the Frioul Islands in the distance, the sky fading into orange… The place is chic but never pretentious. The espresso martini? Spot on. Time stood still.

Evening led us to CopperBay Marseille, a discreet cocktail den in the Opéra neighborhood. Here, mixology is an art: homemade infusions, rare spirits, perfectly cut glassware. Dim lighting, stylish clientele, smooth soundtrack — Marseille elegance distilled.

As we stepped back into the night air, the city’s nocturnal pulse followed us all the way to our hotel, the salty breeze and distant laughter swirling in our heads, leaving us delightfully dizzy with the flavours of Marseille after dark.

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