Marseille holiday apartment: historical center

Just back from Marseille, the studio is compact but very well furnished for two people, and does provide a home from home feel. We particularly liked the coffee machine, and huge fridge/ freezer for wine and water.
Martina was very accommodating, and as the temperature soared was happy to provide a fan.

There are 55 small winding steps to the top of the studio; Le Panier is home to a number of sea gulls who enjoy a morning chorus! - Also to note is that the
Logis du Panier (which is opposite) - plays very loud music for the young of Marseille until 2.00 am, once a week (Wednesday). The restaurants round the corner held a live music night on Friday and again, very loud music until 2.00 am.

Whilst close to the port and the centre – Le Panier is high up and you will climb many steps and depending on which approach a few dark alleys. We were told many times to watch our bags, and be cautious, from the local shop keepers.

There is a daily market at Capucins - be careful with your bags, this area is great for fruit and veg - very cheap. We found a Hot Chicken shop 6 euros who also sold freshly prepared veg dish similar to ratatouille but with a spicy sausage for 2 euros - amazing. and so friendly and helpful. Marseille is packed with Pizza and you need to look around for food. Capucins is great, very cosmopolitan.

In general - whilst a good base
I wouldnt recommend this place to girls on their own for safety reasons or older people who do not like walking up steep steps and narrow passage ways. The area is very noisy at night -

Had a great week staying in this apartment with my 15 yr old son. The apartment is comfortable (even the fold out bed in the lounge) and well appointed. We were able to do plenty of cooking and relax on the terrace in the evenings.

Being in le Panier it really feels as if you're staying in the historical centre of Marseille with all of the narrow streets, shutters on windows and small bars and shops. You can expect to do some walking and climbing steps if you stay here but it is genuinely delightful because of the surroundings.

The transport system around Marseille is excellent with Metro, tram and bus stops near the apartment. You can use all three exhaustively for 5 euros a day. The SNCF station is 15 minutes walk from which you can get around the region or nationally. Finally the City Centre and Vieux port are 10 minutes away where you can join boat trips to the Calanques and Frioul islands.

A couple of the local bars played loud music until late a couple of nights during the week but this appeared to be for special events and we accepted it as part of the local colour.

The apartment was spotless, very homely, and had everything we needed. Everything seemed new or very well preserved. The kitchen was well equipped, the bathroom included a wonderful powerful shower, and the bedroom and living room were big enough to chill out and relax in, with simple but pleasing decor. The roof terrace turns a good apartment into a great apartment. It is a hidden gem, a haven in the middle of a bustling city. With lots of room for a hammock, deck chairs and a dining table set, it encourages indoor/ outdoor living. The owner keeps a comprehensive supply of everything you might need to hand: bulbs, cloth napkins and tablecloths, cushions, books, maps, cotton wool, etc. She seems to have thought of everything.

The apartment is located in the middle of the old town centre, with artisan stores lining the surrounding cobbled lanes, beautiful churches, domes and spires filling the skylines and a sense of community, safety and friendliness lingering from a bygone age. The terrace looks onto a square where cafes bustle and the aroma of baking and coffee waft upwards. Fresh bread, ice-cream and french food at its best are all on the doorstep. The centre of the new town is less than 10 minutes away.

We had a wonderful time, and recommend staying there for a relaxing home away from home. I give this apartment 10 out of 10 for decor, location and facilities.