Perhaps the most picturesque place in all of Marseille is the lovely “Le Panier” district. One of the oldest parts of town founded by the Greeks over 2,600 years ago, Le Panier is known for her charming narrow, paved streets and steps that curve up and down the quaint hillside north of Marseille’s Vieux Port.
The enchanting Le Panier, Marseille’s Old Town
Every visit to Marseille must include a walking tour to Le Panier. If you are an architectural connoisseur than you will fall in love with this section of town that has the tendency to take you back in time to a quieter, more charming way of life absent of modernity. As you walk along the Vieux Port, it is hard to imagine that an entire hidden world exists. At first glance, the buildings that stand at the front of Le Panier don’t look much different than what you will find anywhere else.
Yet, once you enter Le Panier and discover the first of many set of stairs leading you up to Marseille’s Old Town, you will instantly understand why this area is so special.
A beautiful building typical of Le Panier, Marseille’s Old Town.
I adored the gorgeous hanging lamps which decorate all of Le Panier.
The first set of stairs awaits….
Table for two anyone?
I spent an hour or so exploring this lovely area by myself, unafraid to get lost within her magical serpentine streets. It was a quiet afternoon and I pretty much had the entire place to myself. I adored photographing all the colorful buildings, windowsills graced with flowers and antique french lights.
Heading up the steps to see what I could discover in Le Panier.
It was a hot day and the stone steps got my attention. But thankfully I made plenty of stops along the way to try to capture some of the beauty of Le Panier.
Such as the old windows and lights gracing the buildings.
Or the colorful doors and winding stairways.
There was plenty of laundry hanging outside the windows to dry.
I walked on and on admiring the charm and peace of Le Panier. I seemed to be a little overly obsessed with taking photos of the colorful laundry hanging out to dry or the old windows with peeling paint and a story to tell. But the afternoon was for me to do as I please thus I did what I love best when traveling: Exploring and marveling at what I see with my third eye.
Old Windows are a favorite capture
I loved all the hanging potted plants alongside the building on the right.
Nearing the end of Le Panier you can see the rest of Marseille
I couldn’t resist
Beautiful windows.
More hanging laundry
I could have spent all day meandering through Le Panier. It truly felt like an entirely different part of the city especially during the early afternoon when everything was quiet. I would have loved to come back around dinner time to see what kind of energy awaited in Le Panier. But alas my mother and sister were waiting for me along Rue Paradis, the shopping part of town.
Graffiti
If you go
Le Panier is a short, five minute walk north of the Vieux Port. Follow Quai du Port and take a right along any of the streets along the north side of the harbor.
Related Posts
Room with a View: Marseille’s Magnificent Vieux Port
Reblogged this on uganda2040.net and commented:
such buildings
Thanks for the reblog!
great pics Nicole…. s
Thanks! 🙂
I would LOVE to be lost there !
🙂 It is beautiful. I wonder now that it is high season if it is packed with tourists? Hard to know…
I would brave it!
Your photos show the charm and charisma of French cities.
Merci beaucoup! 🙂
I felt kind of like a peeping Tom, snooping at the variety of laundry hanging up to dry. lol I wonder if mimes live in the apartment with the black shirts? And what about the net? Do you think it’s a safety net or a fisherman’s net hanging out to dry? Once again, outstanding photos. I feel as if I have walked those narrow passageways with you.
He He! I have no idea why I love capturing laundry so much! Not sure about the net but there are a ton of fisherman in Marseille as I have lots of photos from the fish market that are coming soon!
I love the hanging lamps and this city has the feel of an old historic place that should be explored
Me too. I was so impressed with Marseille. I loved it. Someday would love to spend a few months in the south of France perfecting my rusty French!
cozzy city!!! 🙂
Yes indeed!
Thank you for transporting me yet again! I need to get back to France – it’s been way too long!
You’re welcome! I went last summer too and did the Tour de Vanoise hike in the Alps. I lived in France 20 years ago as a student but have been back quite a bit recently. Still such a wonderful place! 🙂
Awesome! Skiing and hiking in the Alps are a couple of bucket list trips for me. So many places to go!
Yes indeed! Now we just need the time and money and for me, the babysitters! 🙂
A nice place to be wandering around.
Yes indeed! It is just delightful!
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What a really photogenic place, Nicole. 🙂
Yes indeed! 🙂 Still processing all those pictures from months ago!
Gorgeous photos, Nicole! I love taking pics of hanging laundry, plant pots, street art, windows and doors too! I think my favorite here is your photo titled “Beautiful windows”. I love the clash of bright flowers against the bare wall and the slash of blue sky in the corner!
Great minds think alike! You would have loved it there! 🙂
Haha, I think I would have! 🙂