Notre-Dame du Mont, a neighbourhood in Marseille’s 6th arrondissement, was recently named by Time Out as the “world’s coolest neighbourhood.” The list totals 38 destinations worldwide and ranks each location on its arts, culture, street life, food and one-of-a-kind local flavour. Taking the top spot, Marseille’s Notre-Dame du Mont beat renowned neighbourhoods like Seongsu-dong in Seoul, South Korea and Kerns, in Portland, USA.
So, if you’re currently wondering how on earth this neighbourhood in France gained this accolade, you’re not alone. Let’s dive right in and see what makes Notre-Dame du Mont oh-so-chic…
Aerial view of Notre-Dame du Mont church atop a hill in Marseille
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The appeal of Notre-Dame du Mont
Notre-Dame du Mont can be found in the centre of Marseille, close to the old port. It gets its name from the church, which hundreds of years ago was a place of pilgrimage and today, houses some important works of art. Its profile was raised when Frédéric Chopin played the organ there for his friend’s funeral in 1839.
The allure of Notre-Dame du Mont comes from its colourful, vibrant atmosphere, diverse leisure facilities, pedestrian-friendly design and creative vibe. It is a little like a combination of, say, Amsterdam, Prague, London’s Notting Hill and Florence, all rolled into one. There is a tremendously varied collection of sights and seemingly something for every taste and every age.
It is a little like a combination of, say, Amsterdam, Prague, London’s Notting Hill and Florence, all rolled into one.
Stroll around the decorative streets and you will be greeted with a huge range of quirky individual shops, bars, and teahouses. If you are looking for events to go to, there is always something going on here, whether on the street or in one of the concert halls, art galleries, theatres or clubs. Although summer means the population soars with the tourists who visit, activities across the board carry on year-round, making this one of the loveliest and most interesting places to visit in France during any season of the year.
History
Marseille itself is the oldest city in France, dating back to its foundation almost 2,600 years ago by the Phocaeans. Its position in the Mediterranean in the Bouches-du-Rhône department has given it something of the status of a gritty, trendy, multicultural place where all kinds of people are welcome and will feel at home. It boasts a lively mixture of French and expats, the largest group being Algerian, Moroccan and Tunisian. They say that no matter your age, race, culture, or language, you will fit in here in Marseille.
Notably, the French national anthem “La Marseillaise” was named after the residents of Marseille. Legend has it that in 1792 people from the city marched up to Paris in support of the French revolution, singing a version of what was to become the national anthem along the way.
The harbour in Marseille is close by this esteemed neighbourhood
Climate
The climate is Mediterranean which means hot dry summers and relatively mild winters. It is supposedly the sunniest city in the country and has some wonderful beaches as well as a lively nightlife year-round. Notre-Dame-du-Mont is part of the city most frequented by artists, musicians, writers and academics, such is its diversity and wide range of things to do, not to mention its beauty.
Cost of living
The city of Marseille remains a very popular one, particularly with younger folk who come here for their studies. Although it is the second largest city in the country after Paris, the cost of living is fairly reasonable and a huge amount cheaper than, say, Paris.
Rental apartments come at between €700-€800 per month. Daily expenses are average compared to the rest of the country but lower than other large cities such as Lyon and Toulouse, making Marseille an extremely attractive place to either study, stay for a while or move to permanently.
Marseille is a city that consistently attracts people of all ages. To rent a furnished apartment, you will need to pay around €800 per month and around €100 less for an unfurnished apartment.
Transport
The port of Marseille is huge and an important hub with trade going out not only to parts of Europe but also to North Africa and further afield. There is an international airport with regular flights to and from the UK as well as a high-speed train station. Buses run regularly throughout the city and there is a bike share system, similar to Lime in London called “Le Vélo”.
Head to Marseille to see sailboats
Its popularity
Marseille is the capital of the Bouches-du-Rhône department. Lying as it is close to both the mountains and the sea, it has long attracted investors, professionals, students and retirees. It is a major port and home to many industries as well as technology start-ups. There are also several international schools, meaning it has a huge appeal for expats with young families.
Property in Notre-dame du Mont
There is something for every budget in the Marseille area, depending on how far you are from the city and the beach. If money is no object, there are some spectacular villas with sea views available for €2-3 million or more. A spacious bourgeois renovated three-bed apartment with a balcony in the centre of town will set you back around €700,000. However, by going out of town just a few kilometres, it is possible to find some decent renovated modern apartments for under €200,000. Go out another half an hour or so and a budget of around €150,000 will buy you a house with some outside space.
The city is good for investment as prices have steadily increased over many years, even when prices may have remained stable or fallen in other parts of the country.
Notre-Dame du Mont is sometimes referred to as the creative heart of Marseille. Built as it was around the church of the same name, it occupies a central position in the city and is renowned for its excellent leisure facilities as well as its beauty and family-friendly atmosphere. It rightly holds its place at position number one in the list of coolest neighbourhoods in the world.
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