La Marseillaise in Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

La Marseillaise Self-Catering

Sleek, chic and filled with light, this contemporary apartment close to Marseille's Vieux-Port (Old Port) is the perfect city crashpad for two couples or a small family. Head through to the open-plan living and dining space, where one whole wall is taken up by floor-to-ceiling windows and doors with direct balcony access. The room is an unusual L-shape, so your hosts have utilised neutral-coloured and even transparent furniture to ensure no one piece dominates the room. Meanwhile, sheer curtains provide some privacy while still allowing the light to illuminate the space. The bedrooms follow a similar design ethos, with clean white walls and large sliding doors looking out over the neighbourhood. Colour has been injected into the kitchen, with a zesty orange backsplash, and the bathroom adds a touch of blue that nods to a nautical theme. Located just around the corner from Place Villeneuve-Bargemon, you'll find plenty of space to sit down and take in superb views of the Old Port, where fishmongers sell their catch along the boat-lined quay. Elsewhere, Zaha Hadid's CMA CGM Tower is approximately twenty-five minutes' walk north, while the Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde is a similar stroll in the opposite direction.

Home truths:
* Host meet-and-greet on arrival
* Additional charges apply for late check-in – €22 from 9pm-12am, €44 from 12am - 6am
* The apartment is served by an elevator, so it may be suitable for those with limited mobility
* There's a laptop-friendly workspace in the living room