Get to Know Marseille, the Charming Port City in the French Riviera That Inspired Our Wedding Color of the Year

It’s not surprising that Marseille, a charming coastal city located in the south of France, was the inspiration behind Marseille Bleu, the Minted + Brides Wedding Color of the Year for 2024. This picturesque port city has a long relationship with the color, from the region's 19th-century blue “chore coats”—which remain popular to this day—to French painter Yves Klein's trademarked color, IKB (International Klein Blue).

Today, blue is one with the city’s landscape—visible throughout the vivid street art, on its soccer fans outfitted in their beloved team’s blue and white apparel, and on the blue tourist train known as Le Petit Train, which runs through the heart of Marseille. There’s even a blue version of the city’s signature cocktail, the aperitif known as pastis, a drink long associated with the relaxed French Riviera lifestyle.

As we celebrate Marseille Bleu, a color that transcends time and style, it makes sense to virtually explore its namesake. And if you’re considering a destination wedding or a European honeymoon, allow us to introduce you to Marseille—the coastal city blanketed in blue that may be just the place for you.

Ahead, we asked Marion Taborda, a Virtuoso luxury travel advisor at Odyssey Travel, who is from Marseille, to give us an overview of her city—and to reveal the best spots to stay, eat, wed, and visit. "It’s a blue-hued city, but you’ll never feel blue here!” she says. 

What Marseille Is Known For

Nestled on the Mediterranean coast in southern France, Marseille has a rich history as the oldest and second largest city in the country. Founded by the Greeks in 600 BC, this bustling locale has played a major role in commerce as a trading hub between Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Today, Marseille is a popular destination for marriers, honeymooners, and tourists alike, with its picturesque waterfront, lively markets, ideal climate, friendly locals, and stunning beaches. “That the city gets more sunlight than any other French city—2,858 hours per year compared to 1,950 in other parts of the country—is just another reason to wed, honeymoon, or observe a special occasion in Marseille,” says Taborda.

Where to Stay, Eat, Drink, and Marry in Marseille

Where to Stay

If you’re looking for a five-star experience on a honeymoon, both the InterContinental Marseille (a former hospital converted into a hotel in 1866 by Napoleon III) and the Sofitel Marseille Vieux Port, offer luxurious accommodations and breathtaking views of the Old Port from their terraces. For a more boutique-like feel, check out the family-owned and Michelin starred 16-room Le Petit Nice Passedat and the 20-room, ultra-romantic C2 Hotel, a converted 19th century mansion featuring a spa and cool cocktail bar. You can sit by the pool or book a Turkish steam bath at the oceanfront Les Bords De Mer Hotel Marseille, or go back in time at the historic Grand Hotel Beauvau Marseille Vieux-Port-MGallery, the first hotel ever built in Marseille in 1863. It’s located in the middle of the Old Port, making it the perfect spot for exploring the city.

Where to Eat

Marseille boasts many culinary traditions from vegetable stew (ratatouille) and seafood soup (bouillabaisse) to chickpea-based fritters (panisse) and sweet breads flavored with orange blossom (navettes)—and then there are the city’s signature aioli and pistou sauces. You’ll find these offerings, plus many more, at Marseille’s amazing restaurants, many with stunning views of the sea. “From casual to white tablecloth, there’s no shortage of great restaurants in Marseille,” says Taborda.

A few of her favorites include Michelin starred restaurants Les Trois Forts, with its open-air terrace and panoramic views of the port, Le Petit Nice Passedat, situated in a coastal area just outside of Marseille featuring a menu that changes depending on the fish of the day, and L'Épuisette, perched on a rugged stone peninsula overlooking the Mediterranean that’s known for its seafood-focused, fixed-price menu, and extensive wine selection. 

You’ll discover a combination of Provencal and American dishes on the menu at Les Tamaris, including pasta and pizza, while enjoying the gorgeous sunset views. If it’s Italian you’re craving, head over to La Vieille Pelle, where the chefs at this rustic-styled eatery prepare authentic Italian pizzas in their wood-fired oven. For the best bouillabaisse in Marseille, Taborda recommends Chez Michel, a family-run, upmarket (think: waiters in jackets) a Marseille institution that’s been around since 1946 and Chez Fonfon, where the fish can be prepared right at your table. 

Where to Drink

Unwind with a cool cocktail after a hot day at Dantès Skylounge at the Sofitel Hotel, with its amazing views and delicious tapas (fun fact: the bar was named after the hero in Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo). Reservations are required at Carry Nation, a speakeasy-styled bar where you’ll need a secret code to enter. Enjoy beautiful sunsets, live music, and a cold beer while you sit on the terrace at the Red Lion, a lively British pub, and at 20,000 Lieues, a neighborhood bar with views of Les Goudes, a small fishing village. If karaoke is your thing, you’ll find it at White Rabbit, which has both outdoor and indoor seating.

Where to Get Married

Some couples marry in Marseille’s many hotels, while others wed just outside of the city. “The area has no shortage of fabulous villas and estates to rent,” Taborda shares. “These large houses are called ‘Mas’ and make for fairy-tale-like cocktail parties and wedding receptions.” Some of her favorites: A Provencal farmhouse set on a private estate in the hills of Marcel Pagnol, Bastide de la Salette is a 45-minute drive from the Old Port. Or, tucked away in the countryside of Provence just 20 minutes from Marseille, the Bastide de Toursainte is an ideal spot for a luxurious yet unpretentious countryside wedding, where you can dine indoors or under the stars.

The once celebrated Revestel Hotel, where Winston Churchill stayed during his holidays on the French Riviera, has been transformed into the Domaine de Canaille, a villa located on 150 acres about 40 minutes from Marseille. Here you’ll find a 5,000 square foot terrace overlooking the ocean along with a heated swimming pool and access to private chefs and yoga instructors. Want to tie the knot surrounded by olive groves and almond trees? The Exceptional Chateau is a 30-minute drive from Marseille and features a 17th-century estate with stunning views of the Alpilles mountains.

Noteworthy Things to Do and See in Marseille

Take advantage of everything Marseille has to offer by visiting the area’s popular historical and cultural institutions over the course of your wedding weekend and honeymoon. One thing’s for sure—you (and your guests!) will never run out of places to discover.

• Walk the Old Port: Known as Le Vieux Port, the Old Port has been the heart of Marseille for over 2,600 years. It’s here along the waterfront visitors shop and enjoy a coffee or meal at one of the local cafes or restaurants or stroll down the Quai des Belges, a promenade that stretches along the harbor where you can view both old wooden fishing boats and shiny new yachts, along with a fish market that features the catch of the day. 
• Climb a fort: At the entrance to the Old Port, you’ll discover two of the most visited monuments in Marseille: Fort Saint-Jean, which was constructed in 1660 by Louis XIV to subdue a civilian rebellion against royal rule and Fort Saint Nicolas, also built to quell resident uprisings and protect Marseille from enemy attacks from the sea. 
• Visit the city’s most famous monument: Both a fortress and a sanctuary, Notre-Dame de la Garde, a byzantine-style Catholic basilica that sits atop a rocky hill overlooking the Old Port, offers jaw-dropping panoramic views. A statue of the Virgin Mary known as “Bonne Mère” (the good mother) rests on top of the church’s bell tower and has been deemed the protector of the city since the 19th century.
• Discover a quaint neighborhood: As the oldest district in Marseille, La Panier is admired for its narrow alleyways, cafes, colorful street art, and graffiti. It’s here where you can try a navette, Marseille’s signature cookie, or buy a bar of Savon de Marseille, a soap that’s been manufactured in the city for over 600 years. Visitors can also admire the Venetian mosaics at the Roman-Byzantine styled Cathedrale de la Major, one of the France’s largest and oldest cathedrals and play guessing games as they try to identify the remains of the 15 windmills that have been fused into surrounding buildings at Place des Moulins. 
• Explore a museum: Marseille is home to countless cultural institutions, including museums devoted to the history of the city, like the Natural History Museum of Marseille and MuCEM, whose footbridges provide a pedestrian link between the historic district and the former port area. Adjacent to MuCEM, you’ll find Villa Mediterranean, a center where international exhibitions and seminars are hosted. 
• Tap into the music and movie scene: The city hosts artistic events like the Marseille International Documentary Film Festival, the Marseille Jazz Festival and the Fiesta des Suds, a popular music event that features a range of music genres, including hip-hop, the city’s unofficial musical anthem. 
• Take in some theater: The arts play an important role in Marseille’s nightlife. The Opéra de Marseille, with its grand interior and stage, hosts a variety of productions throughout the year while the Ballet National de Marseille and the Théâtre national de Marseille feature a variety of contemporary theater and dance performances.
• Stroll a park: Located over eight acres, the Palais Longchamp Park is listed by the French Ministry of Culture as one of the Notable Gardens of France, with its cascading waterfalls, bubbling fountains and English-styled gardens. Within the park visitors can find museums, like the Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural History Museum of Marseille. 
• Enjoy a small fishing town: A quaint village on the edge of Marseille, Les Goudes, had an industrial and military past, but is now a charming town with a chapel, grocery shop, and storybook restaurants where visitors can sit and appreciate the water views. 

The Best Marseille Beaches for Honeymooners

Marseille is known for its spectacular scenic coastline, which contains some of the most stunning beaches in France. “Many have hidden coves known as calanques, which make for romantic excursions,” says Taborda. “You’ll find some beaches within the city limits while others require a short drive.” Here, a few of Taborda’s favorites:

• Calanque de Port Pin is located within Calanques National Park, about an hour from the Old Port. Its limestone cliffs and turquoise waters make it a popular destination for hikers and beach-goers.
• With an underground freshwater spring, Calanque de Sormiou is the largest of the calanques in the Calanque National Park.
• The ultra-chic Plage de la Baie de Singes is located on a tiny bay accessible from La Baje des Singes restaurant, where you can relax on loungers and appreciate the 360-degree views of the Mediterranean.
• Plage du Prado is a manmade beach located 15-minutes from central Marseille—its constant sea breezes attract water sports enthusiasts while its convenient location makes for an easy walk to local restaurants and bars.
• You’ll have to hike over an hour through jagged cliffs to reach Calanque d’En Vau, known for its fjord-like inlets, soaring cliffs and gnarly old pine trees—but the glorious views make it worth the trek.