A new balcony over the Mediterranean in Marseille

The Marseillais already knew the terrace of the hotel Le Richelieu for its views of the setting sun. Acquired at the end of 2016 by Frédéric Biousse and Guillaume Foucher – who were already at the helm of the Domaine de Fontenille in the Lubéron – the establishment was totally redesigned by Marseille architect Yvann Pluskwa before opening in December 2018 under its new name Les Bords de Mer.

Booking is essential to enjoy the terrace of the bar-restaurant located on the second floor of the hotel, where a vast shade will soon provide respite from the Mediterranean sun. For drinks overlooking the sea, three other terraces nestled in the rock cater for hotel guests, while non-residents are welcomed on the waterfront.

With a terrace or balcony in almost every room and feature windows, you sleep face-to-face with the sea here. Décor is a marriage of natural wood and ceramic stoneware with a pastel palette, almost disappearing into the Big Blue.

“We fell in love with the hotel on our first visit,” explains co-owner Guillaume Foucher, who is also a gallery owner. “We felt like we could catch sailboats in our hands, an impression we wanted to share with our guests by arranging all rooms to face the sea and maximising windows.”

Overlooking the water and surrounded by bay windows, the restaurant looks like a ship’s gangway. Open five and a half days a week including Sundays, it caters for around 60 diners.

Octopus glazed with red wine, lentils, pomegranate and coriander; grilled cuttlefish with basil and lime – just a couple of examples from the menu of the restaurant, showcasing local bistro cuisine inspired by the sea, sparkling and full of flavour. The wine list offers a wide selection including rosé from Domaine de Fontenille, the owners’ Provençal establishment.

The hotel also has a rooftop terrace with a small heated pool, and on the ground floor, a five-cabin spa, half-hollowed out in the rock, with gym, sauna, steam room and plunge pool bathed in natural light. Les Bords de Mer is part of the Domaines de Fontenille collection, soon to have five addresses in France and across Europe.

Ideally located on the bay of Catalans between the Old Port and the picturesque Auffes valley, the hotel offers its discerning guests private bathing and tailor-made boat trips into the Calanques. Guests enjoy privileged access to the Cercle des Nageurs de Marseille, a sports centre of excellence, and a chic club near the hotel is reserved for VIPs.