Summary
Marseille is the second-largest city in France. If the Phocaean capital attracts with its exceptional quality of life, it’s a whole ecosystem that appeals to those who settle there. Between beach, city, mountain, and countryside: so many elements that have convinced thousands of people to settle down to study, work, start a family, or just to spend happy days.
The real estate market in Marseille has always been tense and attractive, but the COVID-19 crisis has prompted the French to review their expectations. Having become an “overheated” market, there are few offers in the sector and demands are only concentrated in the center of Marseille. The few available properties are selling like hotcakes.
They are mainly located in the historic 7th and 8th arrondissements where most of the points of attractions are concentrated. Rental offers are also becoming increasingly rare. While they do exist, most students and young professionals unfortunately cannot afford an apartment, as rental prices are still high. To avoid unsuccessful housing searches, Colivys and its coliving offer appear as a viable solution to house young professionals wishing to settle in Marseille.
We offer rooms located in downtown apartments, close to all amenities and places of life, that you will surely like!
The Best Neighborhoods to Live in Marseille
Marseille encompasses over 110 districts. Needless to say, finding the one that best suits you can be quite a challenge. Luckily for you, we’re sharing the 5 neighborhoods that, in our opinion, will meet all your needs.
Le Panier - The emblem of Marseille
Let’s start with the oldest neighborhood! Narrow streets, tall buildings, Provençal facades: you’ll dive into the very essence of the Mediterranean. Le Panier revolves around three iconic arteries: Place des Moulins, Place de Lenche, and Place de Lorette. Le Panier is an authentic and charming place. Nestled on a hillside, you shouldn’t be afraid to climb its large stairs to allow you to contemplate the beauty of the neighborhood, and the breathtaking view of the Mediterranean Sea.
Le Panier is also a real open-air museum where life is good. If you love the warmth of the south and conviviality, this neighborhood is for you. Numerous bars, restaurants, and small typical designer shops rub shoulders. If you are a fan of street-art, the alleys are full of it. You can admire works of art on every street corner.
Close to public transport, you can reach shopping areas in less than 10 minutes. Fun fact, Le Panier served as inspiration for the sets of Mistral, the fictional neighborhood in the famous Marseillaise series “Plus Belle La Vie”.
Cinq-Avenues - Between greenery and studies
Another village in the heart of Marseille, Cinq-Avenues shines for its greenery. The most central district of Marseille, it is considered the main green lung of the city center. Indeed, it houses an architectural gem that is the Palais Longchamp and its wooded park of over 8 hectares. It’s a place cherished by its inhabitants and the people around for walks. Maybe it will become yours too!?
This district, with its frank architectural style and Haussmann-style facades, enjoys an exceptional quality of life. Residents love its tranquility and dynamism. Two opposing characteristics that the Cinq-Avenues district combines wonderfully. Everything has been done so you can get everything you need. No need to run everywhere: here you can shop, buy clothes and other decorative objects in the various shops in the district or even have a drink, dine and attend a movie session.
The population of Cinq-Avenues is getting younger over time. Composed mainly of students, they love its proximity to the university and the major schools they can easily reach thanks to many public transport lines serving the Cinq-Avenues stop.
Le Roucas-Blanc - On the abandoned beach, seashells and crustaceans
Located in the 7th arrondissement of Marseille, the Roucas-Blanc district is the district where you need to settle if you love peace and the beach. This authentic working-class neighborhood is located on the Marseille corniche. Its look of a small Provencal village, with its typical small streets, will not leave you indifferent. Roucas-Blanc is one of the most upscale districts of Marseille, as evidenced by the villas and beautiful houses that extend as far as the eye can see along the sea. It’s also one of the most beautiful walking spots. On a scooter, by bike or on foot, you won’t be able to do without it!
A stone’s throw from the city center, you can freely and easily enjoy the bustling life of the Old Port, Rue de la République, and the surrounding areas while living in this quieter neighborhood.
The district also houses one of the city’s emblems: Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde. The ‘Bonne Mère’, as the Marseillais call her, watches over the city and is admirable from all corners of Marseille. For all these reasons, Roucas-Blanc is one of the most expensive but also one of the most enjoyable neighborhoods.
La Plaine - Between bohemian and street-art
La Plaine is becoming increasingly popular among young people. If you wish to live in a trendier district than Cinq-Avenues while being close to the city center, you have chosen the right district!
You will discover many nice shops and bars, as well as an amazing new cultural center: La Friche La Belle de Mai. This 45,000 m² space is an ode to culture. If you don’t know what to do with your evenings, theater performances, concerts and a host of other events are organized there throughout the year.
La Plaine is a two sides’ neighbourhood. On one side, it’s a bohemian district, with numerous thrift shops, artists, antique dealers, and local creators displaying their arts in small pedestrian street shops. A market of local producers takes place every week, offering quality and environmentally friendly products. On the other side, it’s the district par excellence for street art.
The facades of the streets of Cours Julien and Place Jean-Jaurès are filled with all kinds of graffiti. It’s like a big outdoor comic strip that you’ll enjoy discovering.
Joliette - The Renewal of Marseille
The Joliette district is located in the second arrondissement of Marseille. This business district, north of the emblematic Vieux-Port and the Panier district, is at the heart of a rehabilitation and redevelopment project: Euroméditerranée.
Joliette combines the modern and industrial side of office facades with traditional Haussmannian buildings that reflect the sun. An architectural marvel that houses the 145-meter high CMA CGM tower designed by the famous Zaha Hadid. The major asset of the district is its pluralism. Indeed, you can stroll along the quays day and night, go shopping and party at the Terrasses du Port, the large shopping center of Marseille established on the old docks. It houses no less than 190 shops, numerous bars and restaurants as well as a renowned rooftop, the R2.
You’re sure to find what you’re looking for in one place. But it doesn’t stop there! Joliette will also delight gourmets with the covered market of the docks. Also recently rehabilitated, you will have at hand everything you need to prepare a good meal: cheese maker, greengrocer, wine merchant, coffee roaster, and many stalls of Provencal specialties (yes, we are still in Marseille). Finally, Joliette is a trendy district where rents are still affordable.
Why is it good to live in Marseille?
There are many reasons to move to Marseille! If the Phocaean city attracts you, it’s probably because the sun is present almost all year round. No more blues, Marseille benefits from more than 300 days of sunshine a year, much more than Lyon, Paris or Lille. Marseille’s unique position as a dynamic city between the seaside and the mountains is exceptional.
If you choose to settle there, we already know that your weekends will be filled with all kinds of activities, between days at the Prado beach and skiing on the mountains just a few kilometers away.
Surrounded by flamboyant nature, Marseille wonderfully combines the urban, with the city center and pedestrian zones, and the rural, where 700 hectares of green spaces and the calanques coexist. Marseille is also a dynamic metropolis, especially for students like you. More than 70,000 students have chosen to study there. The Phocaean city is also the employment basin of the region. If you work in the fields of medicine or trade, you will have no problem finding your next job.
Marseille is also famous for its sporting aspect. So yes, you can’t miss the Olympique de Marseille, the emblematic football club of the region. The Marseille supporters are probably the most passionate you will meet. But there’s not only football (and petanque) in Marseille.
The city is also renowned for swimming (for a seaside city, the opposite would be surprising). The Swimming Club has seen high-level athletes and record holders such as Florent and Laure Manaudou pass through its ranks. If we’ve made you want to settle in this beautiful city, quickly discover our rooms!
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Your questions about the neighborhoods of Marseille
If you like street art, lively and vibrant atmospheres, then the 5th arrondissement is made for you. You can go out in bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.
If you like the atmosphere of the city center and calm, we recommend the 10th arrondissement, to the east of the city. The neighborhood of Saint-Tronc is the one that will please you the most.
If there is one neighborhood that we advise you to avoid, it is the northern neighborhoods. They are among the least safe in Marseille and poorly served by public transportation.
