The 10 most legendary hotels in Marseille

Strolling along the Corniche Kennedy, you can't miss the imposing white silhouette of the 3-star Rhul overlooking the Mediterranean. Best known for its restaurant, which serves some of the best bouillabaisses in Marseille, this Marseilles institution also houses a superbly charming hotel.

Most of the Rhul's pretty rooms offer stunning sea views. Run by the same family for three generations, there is a friendly, good-natured atmosphere throughout the establishment.

Right in the heart of the Panier district, the 5-star InterContinental Marseille Hôtel-Dieu has been the new jewel in the crown of Marseille since 2013. It has to be said that the architecture of the former Hôtel-Dieu has a lot to do with it, offering extraordinary volumes in which the services on offer and the modern decor come into their own.

179 rooms and 15 suites, a gourmet restaurant, a brasserie, a spa with swimming pool and, above all, a gigantic terrace offering a breathtaking view of Notre-Dame de la Garde... How could you fail to fall under its spell?

La Cité Radieuse, the only building of its kind in the world designed by Le Corbusier in the 1950s, is a true experience of life. Visiting this architectural work of art gives you a better understanding of the architect's philosophy.

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed building is also home to a 3-star hotel with 21 vintage-style design rooms, with no skimping on comfort. After visiting the shopping arcade and the restaurant, don't forget to climb up to the rooftop for an exceptional panoramic view of the whole of Marseille.

Owned by the Sofitel chain for almost 50 years, the Marseille version is a credit to the upmarket hotel group. The Sofitel Marseille Vieux-Port 5*** decor is as breathtaking as the **view of the Vieux-Port from its terrace.

The style of the 134 rooms is inspired by the luxury yachts that are often seen in Marseille harbour. With its spa, indoor pool, bar and panoramic restaurant, the Sofitel is an address that will delight both lovers and families on holiday.

Built in 1874 at the request of a wealthy merchant family, Château Beaupin is an eclectic edifice designed by architect Paul Sédille, whose façade and roof are listed Historic Monuments. Inside, the pink marble fireplaces and the gilding of the adjoining rooms, complemented by contemporary decoration, give the place all its cachet.

The hotel has 14 rooms, some with sea views. There is a swimming pool in the small garden in front of the Château and a pleasant terrace for aperitifs in fine weather. Breakfast is classic, but can be adapted to suit guests' tastes, giving the impression of being welcomed into a family home, with the added comfort of a hotel.

The 5* C2 hotel is a little jewel set in a 19th-century jewel box. Located in one of Marseille's affluent districts, this establishment is a haven of peace and decoration where ancient and modern, arts and culture, relaxation and well-being come together to the delight of its guests.

We love its sleek, modern rooms and magnificent spa, which offer a welcome break from our busy lifestyles. But the real little extra is the day trips to Degaby Island: a real moment out of time.

Before it was rebranded in 2018, the nhow Marseille was known for welcoming football players who were due to take part in a match at the Stade Orange Vélodrome. Today, the hotel boasts a modern decor that contrasts magnificently with the Mediterranean Sea.

Most of the 150 colourful rooms offer superb sea views, often with a terrace. And that's not even mentioning the magnificent view from the hotel's large swimming pool. Add to this a delicious restaurant and you have the perfect cocktail for a weekend in Marseille.

Everyone in Marseille knows the 5* Petit Nice-Passedat. A veritable institution in the city, the hotel was for many years home to the city's only 3-star Michelinrestaurant, making the people of Marseille proud.

But people also come here to enjoy the panoramic view over the sea and the Frioul islands, and the 16 luxurious, comfortable rooms. Opened in 1917, the Petit-Nice Passedat attracts locals and tourists alike, and we predict it will continue to do so for many years to come.

Opened in 2012, the 3* Mama Shelter Marseille was the second establishment in the chain of the same name to open in France. Expected to be the messiah, the Marseille version has lived up to its promise, echoing the Parisian parent company and becoming the new 'place to be' for young people in Marseille.

With its favourable location in an up-and-coming working-class district - the famous Cours Julien - its Starck design, its young, trendy clientele and its renowned restaurant, Mama Shelter has made a name for itself on the Marseilles scene, all at very reasonable rates.

The 3-star Hotel Belle-Vue, has a facade inseparable from the landscape of the Old Port, as it blows a breath of Belle Epoque over the whole of Marseille. At the end of the wrought iron staircase, listed as a historic monument, the rooms are charming and comfortable.

Upstairs is one of Marseille's most coveted balconies, that of the bar-restaurant La Caravelle, named after the cabaret that once stood here: the view over the Old Port and Notre-Dame de la Garde is breathtaking! With a bit of luck, you'll have the same view from your room...