Travel Art Journal #2: Marseille to Malmousque by day

Marseille isn’t everyone’s paradise. If you love a bustling, super diverse, dynamic mélange of a city, then Marseille definitely is your place. I LOVE Marseille when the time is right, but for right now, it’s a relief being able to return home to my peaceful little Aix after a day of Marseille’s energy.

Amongst the chaos, there are some gorgeous secluded spots if you know where to look (I didn’t, but luckily my french friends do.) Here’s a peak inside my walk to Malmousque from the Vieux Port and the sights of secluded Marseille (I imagine this is just the first of many posts I will write after exploring all the hidden gems of this glorious, crazy city.)

This is the view from the old port of Marseille looking across the dock.

This is the view from the old port of Marseille looking across the dock.

Right out of a postcard, this little neighborhood called Vallon des Auffes opens out once you walk further away from the Vieux Port toward Malmousque.

Right out of a postcard, this little neighborhood called Vallon des Auffes opens out once you walk further away from the Vieux Port toward Malmousque.

Walking in Malmousque, I found some of the coolest little french houses, all lined with succulents and colorful pots.

Walking in Malmousque, I found some of the coolest little french houses, all lined with succulents and colorful pots.

A little gem: Walking down the plant lined stone alleys of Malmousque to the dock.

A little gem: Walking down the plant lined stone alleys of Malmousque to the dock.

Once you’re down on the rocks of Malmousque, you just sort of find a spot that’s not too craggy and perch like a sea bird for hours.

Once you’re down on the rocks of Malmousque, you just sort of find a spot that’s not too craggy and perch like a sea bird for hours.

I was definitely feeling Wes Anderson vibes with this hotel shot; Hotel Peron sits right on the corniche out to Malmousque.

I was definitely feeling Wes Anderson vibes with this hotel shot; Hotel Peron sits right on the corniche out to Malmousque.

The view looking back toward Marseille: you can just barely make out the crowds on “The Catalan Beach”.

The view looking back toward Marseille: you can just barely make out the crowds on “The Catalan Beach”.

Last but not least, this scene is just an abandoned lot across the highway near the Vieux Port; the colors, trees and stone buildings seemed to me to embody the look of the Mediterranean (at least from my american eyes.)

Last but not least, this scene is just an abandoned lot across the highway near the Vieux Port; the colors, trees and stone buildings seemed to me to embody the look of the Mediterranean (at least from my american eyes.)

There we have it! When you next go to Marseille, be sure to take a walk along the water to Malmousque, bring along some drinks, and perch yourself on the rocks like a true sea goddess of old.

Avery Ches