A city nestled in the south of France has seen a major transformation over the last 13 years, ditching its reputation and seeing a major investment, bringing in ‘chic’ and ‘hip’ food spots
Marseille in France has been dubbed as the ‘capital of cool’(Image: Getty Images)
A stunning European city with UK flights and 20C temperatures in April has been branded the “capital of cool”. Marseille in the south of France secured half a billion euros of investment after being crowned the European Capital of Culture in 2013.
Since then the world famous port has become known for being “chic” and “hip”. It blends a mix of history thanks to the bustling Vieux-Port, which sits at the bottom of the Canebière, a kilometre-long main street in the city.
Visitors can take a selfie under the Ombrière – a giant umbrella at the port – and a stroll along the quayside before watching the fishing boats head out to sea. Towering above the port is the historic Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica, which offers 360 degree views of the stunning city.
The port however blends history with modern, boasting a range of “cutting-edge museums,” reports the Daily Mail, along with “foodie-approved restaurants” and “trendy bars”. The paper, which describes the city as the “capital of cool”, reports: “Marseille is wonderful for a short break at this time of year, with average daily highs of around 19C-20C – and the seafood is second to none.”
One popular dish in the city in particular is bouillabaisse, an “iconic” fish soup that is served in two dishes. One contains the fish and the other a broth on a stove, with the fish itself traditionally cut up in front of diners.
Bouillabaisse is then served with rouille or aioli sauces with croutons for dipping. The influence of the Mediterranean is also evident in the local cuisine, with anchoïade, a traditional dish made with anchovies, capers, olive oil and garlic, said to contain the “iodine taste of the sea” in “every bite,” reports Ville De Marseille.
Away from the food scene, visitors to Marseille can visit the Le Panier, the oldest district of the city which now boasts small café terraces, street-art coloured facades, and designer shops. Having now become an “open-air museum” the area was first inhabited by the Greeks in 600BC.
It developed a reputation for violence and prostitution in the 20th century but has seen a massive overhaul in the past 13 years. It is now described as one of Marseille’s “must-see districts”.
For nature lovers, the cliffs of the Calanques have been described as a “natural wonder”. The Calanques boast fine sandy beaches, miniature fjords and turquoise waters.
It is the perfect area for people who want to sun-bathe or enjoy a spot of kayaking. YouTuber Nathan Frank, who posts as On World Travel, described Marseille as a “city that doesn’t care if you like it or not”.
He said: “We’ve been here for three days now and I’ve spoken to quite a few locals and they’ve been so friendly. Like more friendly than a lot of places we’ve been to and super down to earth and friendly. Our first impressions of Marseille have been really positive, we have some really good food on the agenda.”
Marseille boasts average temperatures of around 19 to 20C in April. And according to Skyscanner, prices from Manchester Airport start from around £28.