This charming apartment in Marseille’s Castellane neighbourhood puts you in a prime spot to explore the city’s historic sights and cultural gems. Ideal for a solo traveller, couple or small family, this is a calm and modern base that you’ll love returning home to after a day perusing the local markets.

We love how the soft coastal blues, traditional tiles and modern furnishings come together to create a feeling of tranquillity. Settle in at the breakfast table for coffee and croissants from your local boulangerie, then fire off a few emails before heading out to discover the city’s la Bonne Mère – the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde – crowned with a golden statue of the Virgin Mary. At home, pop open a bottle of locally-produced Bandol and prepare a seafood dinner with the selection you picked up from the Old Port – that is, when you're not out sampling the regional cuisine in one of Cours Julien’s authentic bistrots.

Home truths:
*This is a third-floor apartment, with no lift
*This home is in a central spot, so city noise is to be expected with the windows opened
*The dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace if you need to catch up on some work during your stay
*There's no parking here, though we think the city is best explored on foot