Aperitif:
La Caravelle
Bar on the first floor of the Belle Vue with a great view from the terrace if you can get a table there and tapas served with drinks.

Best Bistro
Le Bistrot a Vin
Simple, good Provencal food paired with fantastic wine selections at a very reasonable price.

La Côte de Boeuf
Steakhouse with an amazing wine cellar.

For the best bouillabaisse in Marseille head to
Chez Michel.

La Caravelle
www.lacaravelle-marseille.fr
34 quai du Port 13002 Marseille
France
+33 4 91 90 36 64

Bistrot a Vin
7 Rue Sainte, 13001 Marseilles, France
+33(0)4 91 54 02 20

La Cote de Boeuf
35 Cours Honoré d'Estienne d'Orves
13001 Marseilles, France
+33(0)4 91 33 00 25

Chez Michel
6 Rue Catalans
13007 Marseilles, France
+33(0)4 91 52 64 22

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As far as I know, British weather doesn't really allow us to have outdoor waterparks like Aqualand but it's worth heading to the continent just for them. In particular, Aqualand St Cyr is a great way to spend a hot summer's day if you want to be away from the chaos of Med beaches. There are rapids, pools of all sorts for over excited kids but also a great creperie and 'espace détente' where parents can rest.

www.aqualand.fr/les-parcs,saint_cyrsmer.html
Mas des capellans, 66750 St Cyprien
+33(0)468214949
Google map: bit.ly/dLPDm9

ZAC des Pradeaux
83270 ST CYR SUR MER
tél : 0044 4.94.32.08.32
fax: 0044 4.94.32.11.02

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From Marseille the seacliffs around the coast - Les Calanques - are easily reached by metro and bus and some minutes of walking. Here you can go for long walks and you will find some of the best sports climbing in all of Europe. The routes are generally very well protected. During midsummer walking and climbing is forbidden, but during spring and in the autumn the Calanques are open. The scenery is beautiful with white cliffs and a clear blue sea. The young Joseph Conrad left the old port of Marseille on his first ship.

Google map: bit.ly/edF0al

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If you want to be in on the local secrets of Marseille then you need to check out 'My Little Marseille', it is up to the minute, latest tips on food, fashion, chilling out, partying, shopping, pampering and lots more.

I get an update every week with tips on everything from Tom the resident Rasta tailor who will turn your chosen fabric into a stylish dress (and drives a rastafarian inspired London cab) to where to go for a fish pedicure (thats little fish nibbling your feet, a massage and exfoliation treatment all in one).

Its in french sorry, but better than any printed guide book by a mile! Even if you don't read french, its only a google translate away to discover these excellent recommended secrets of Marseille.

www.mylittlemarseille.com

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Great bar with a small balcony with views of the Old Port and Notre Dame. Go between 6 and 9. Amazing nibbles are served with every drink: olives, sardines, chicken wings, squid...

The old port

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A spacious holiday studio with a view of both the Vieux Port and Notre Dame de la Garde. The place is one of a few apartments run by Romain who was full of advice on where to go.

In the evening the place is buzzing with all the seafood restaurants and bars.

For daytime activities take the free ferry boat a few steps away at Place Aux Huiles across to the Hotel du Ville (no quicker than walking but a lot more fun) and explore the Panier district or take the 83 bus to the Prado Beach.

Place Aux Huiles
www.apartmentmarseille.com
Romain - Tel: +33 6 77 94 34 50

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A bus from the centre of Marseille will take you to the head of the trails (through some unsalubrious bainlieues) that lead over craggy limestone peaks to one of the Mediterranean's most beautiful coastal features, the calanques. A little under an hour's walk will lead you to beautiful Sormiou and Morgiou, with pint sized beaches and tiny hamlets sandwiched between dramatic cliffs strewn with shrubs, cedars and maritime pines. The water is crystal clear and sheltered so that it is calmer and warmer than the open sea. On summer weekends, the calanques can get busy with daytrippers, but the rest of the time they are a picturesque treat to enjoy with only a few other people. There are other calanques more easily accessed by boat or from the neighbouring town of Cassis.

Calanque de Sormiou and Calanque de Morgiou, south of Marseille. You can drive the whole way along winding, precipitous, unpaved roads, but as the weather is usually good, it's best to walk - though remember to bring lots of water in summer time! Buses no22 & 23 run to Morgiou and Sormiou respectively from the Rond Point du Prado metro stop.

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Out in the hills to the east of Marseille is the small village of La Treille. The village is featured in Marcel Pagnol’s stories of childhood. Of course, this won’t mean a thing if you’re not familiar with Pagnol, but if you are, visiting La Treille will bring back the wonderful stories and take you tantalisingly close to the countryside that he Pagnol roamed back in the early 1900s.

You can visit Pagnol’s grave in the tiny cemetery, see the village square and follow the path that leads out of the village and into the hills. You can only realistically reach La Treille by car unless you fancy a good day’s trekking to get there and back.

Head east out of Marseille on the Aubagne Road then watch for signposts

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