52 corniche Kennedy, 13007 Marseille

Les Bords de Mer

Name: Les Bords de Mer
Address: 52 corniche Kennedy, Marseille, 13007, fr
Price range: 259 EUR - 0 EUR

Presentation

The hotel Les Bords de Mer rises at the edge of the Catalans beach, directly on the rocks overlooking the Mediterranean. This nineteen-room boutique hotel belongs to the Domaines de Fontenille collection, led by Guillaume Foucher and Frédéric Biousse, two hotel enthusiasts who have created a place where discreet luxury blends with deeply Marseille authenticity. The former 1930s building, once home to the Richelieu Hotel, has been completely redesigned by Marseille architect Yvan Pluskwa to become a four-star hotel that preserves its Art Deco identity while offering impeccable contemporary comfort.

You are here in the seventh arrondissement, at the beginning of the Kennedy Corniche, with the Old Port within walking distance and the calanques just a short drive away. The Kennedy Corniche runs alongside the property, providing easy access to various districts of the city, while the Pharo Palace is located four hundred meters away. The basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde and the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations are quickly accessible, making the hotel an ideal starting point for exploring the Phocean city.

As soon as you cross the threshold of this through-building hotel, you discover a blue horizon that immediately captures your gaze. The Mediterranean is present in every corner of the establishment, from the ground floor to the rooftop, creating a feeling of total immersion that few urban addresses manage to offer. The interior decoration, carefully designed by Guillaume Biousse, draws on an optimistic modernism of the 1950s while adopting a contemporary simplicity that gives full prominence to the view. Soft pastel tones, natural woods, white terrazzo flooring, and pale gray ceramic stoneware in the bathrooms highlight the intensity of the Mediterranean blue without ever competing with it.

All nineteen rooms open onto the sea, each offering a unique view of the Frioul Islands, the Château d'If, or the Marseille harbor. Several categories are available, from the Superior Sea Room with a bay window to higher categories with terraces. Deluxe rooms have one or two balconies, while Executive categories benefit from shaded terraces. The Junior Suite can accommodate an extra bed and offers a particularly generous covered terrace. Even in the most compact rooms, such as numbers fifteen, sixteen, and seventeen, the large bay window parallel to the bed creates a sensation of floating above the water, reminiscent of a ferry cabin atmosphere.

The furniture has been carefully selected so that each element contributes to the overall harmony without drawing attention away from the sea. You will find chairs by the Bouroullec brothers, a praying mantis lamp by Rispal, clean lines, and minimalist design that convey discreet elegance. Above the headboards, sepia-toned photographs carefully sourced by Guillaume Biousse evoke family outings by the water, those universal moments that everyone has experienced and fondly remembers. Contemporary art also punctuates the common areas and rooms, with works by South African artist Berni Searle, including a photograph from the Seeking Refuge series displayed at the reception, as well as works by Jonathan Callan, Laurent Millet, Constance Sorel, and Marseille native Arnaud Vasseux.

Each room has a private bathroom with a shower, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and free wifi. Beige linen curtains gently filter the Mediterranean light, and you can enjoy room service for breakfast or a selection of dishes on your balcony or terrace, eyes turned toward the horizon. The lapping of the water soothes your sleep for a stationary journey, and upon waking, all you need to do is draw the curtain to see the harbor unfold, the breakwaters, early swimmers, and the return of fishing boats followed by a swarm of seagulls.

The hotel’s restaurant is located just above sea level, behind a large bay window that bathes the tables in light at all hours of the day. Chef Chester Tsai, strongly influenced by his Filipino and Taiwanese origins and enriched by international experience from Paris to New York via London and Singapore, has brought a resolutely contemporary and creative direction to the menu. He draws on his Asian heritage, childhood memories, and multicultural background to reinterpret Provençal terroir and highlight seafood from the best local producers. His vibrant cuisine stands out for its harmony and the freshness of its flavors as well as the subtle complexity of its seasonings, delivering surprise and comfort throughout the tasting.

Among his signature dishes, you can enjoy the Filipino ceviche with its unique marinade combining coconut vinegar, red chili, garlic, and pickles; the shrimp and mango tartare with Thai-inspired Tom Kha sauce; seared cuttlefish with satay emulsion; or lemongrass chicken supreme with ginger condiment. The menu changes four times a year to follow the rhythm of the seasons and showcase products at their peak. Pastry chef Gabriella completes the experience with creations such as the lemon-hazelnut praline cream with Timut pepper, a dessert that delicately combines textures and flavors. The restaurant welcomes both hotel guests and outside patrons, creating a mix of clientele that contributes to the establishment’s friendly atmosphere.

The wine cellar naturally offers wines from Domaine de Fontenille, as well as a selection of regional wines and France’s finest vintages. Many wines are available by the glass, and you can benefit from the informed advice of the staff to best pair your meal. The rooftop bar, open from Thursday to Monday, offers another experience with signature cocktails infused with the scents of Provence, vintages from the collection’s vineyards, and wine tastings. This second-floor rooftop is open to all and offers Provençal tapas with Asian influences reinterpreted by chef Chester Tsai, such as Marseille’s famous panisses, marinated tuna bao, sea urchin tarama, or “dynamite,” a duo of green chili and Comté wrapped in brick pastry.

The fifth floor houses a rooftop exclusively reserved for hotel guests, with an infinity lap pool and solarium offering breathtaking views of the Catalans Bay. This heated pool allows you to swim while contemplating the Frioul Islands, in an atmosphere of absolute tranquility. Every Saturday and Sunday, from early November to the end of March, the sea urchin season opens on this rooftop, a Marseille tradition that the hotel celebrates with enthusiasm. The main terrace overlooks the bay with a panorama that stretches as far as the eye can see, although the proximity of the Kennedy Corniche may be noticeable at certain times of day, particularly during heavy traffic.

The Bords de Mer spa extends over more than three hundred square meters at sea level, carved into the rock of the corniche. This mineral space entirely in blond stone and natural wood, with its openings to the sea and soft lighting, has been designed to bring calm and serenity. You’ll find treatment and massage rooms, a sauna, a hammam, and a heated indoor relaxation pool. The establishment offers Susanne Kaufmann care protocols, a brand known for its natural products, in a purified and timeless setting. The spa is open every day from seven a.m. to eleven p.m., allowing guests to enjoy the facilities at their convenience. A fully equipped fitness room completes the wellness offering for those wishing to maintain their workout routine during their stay.

The reception operates twenty-four hours a day, and the staff is available to provide useful advice for getting around the region or organizing your visits. The establishment is accessible to people with reduced mobility, ensuring that everyone can enjoy this unique experience. Rates start at two hundred and thirty euros in the low season, a pricing consistent with the hotel’s standards and the quality of its services. A buffet or continental breakfast is served every morning, which you can enjoy in the light-filled dining room or have brought up to your room for a private moment facing the sea.

From the hotel, you can easily reach the Old Port to stroll along the quays, discover the morning fish market, and observe the constant bustle of this iconic place. The cathedral of La Major, with its monumental Roman-Byzantine architecture, is a short distance away, while the Panier district, the oldest in Marseille, invites you to get lost in its narrow alleys lined with colorful facades and artists’ workshops. The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations, located about nine hundred meters from the hotel, is a must-visit with its bold architecture by Rudy Ricciotti and exhibitions exploring Mediterranean cultures across the centuries.

The basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde dominates the city from its hilltop and offers an exceptional panorama of Marseille, the islands, and the sea. This Roman-Byzantine-style basilica, topped with a golden statue of the Virgin, is a strong symbol for the people of Marseille and is well worth the visit for its richly decorated interior architecture. The Château d’If, visible from your room, can be reached by boat from the Old Port for an excursion that allows you to discover this fortress made famous by Alexandre Dumas in The Count of Monte Cristo.

The Frioul Islands, which you can admire from your balcony, offer a nature escape accessible by boat. These islands feature wild coves, hiking trails, and preserved Mediterranean flora and fauna, creating a striking contrast with the urban hustle and bustle. The calanques represent one of the region’s natural jewels with their limestone cliffs plunging into turquoise waters. You can explore them by land hikes or sea excursions, each option revealing different landscapes of this unique national park.

The Marseille History Museum traces two thousand six hundred years of history through exceptional archaeological collections, including the remains of the ancient port discovered during urban excavations. The Cantini Museum, dedicated to modern art, and the Marseille Museum of Contemporary Art complete the cultural offering for art lovers. The Vallons des Auffes, a small traditional fishing port nestled in a calanque near the hotel, offer a picturesque atmosphere with their colorful cabins and seafood restaurants where you can have lunch facing the gently rocking boats.

The hotel Les Bords de Mer succeeds in creating that special atmosphere of seaside vacation spots while offering immediate access to one of France’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities. This duality between maritime immersion and urban proximity makes up its unique signature, reinforced by constant attention to travelers’ comfort and a desire to anchor every detail in Marseille’s identity. The team’s passion for their establishment shines through every interaction, creating that sense of well-being that turns a simple stay into a memorable experience. You will undoubtedly leave this place with the memory of an infinite horizon, the sound of waves against the rocks, and that particular Mediterranean light that enhances every moment.