Authentic and charming, the Montredon district is nestled at the southern end of the Cité Phocéenne, between the Pointe Rouge and the calanques. Crossed by the avenue de la Madrague de Montredon and its local shops, this residential area bordered by beaches and creeks has kept its character of a former fishing village.

The Parc Pastré, at the foot of the Calanques National Park, is a green space much appreciated by the inhabitants of Marseilles for its vast lawns, its horse riding centre and its double panorama of sea and hills. During their strolls, walkers can admire the Château Pastré, an architectural beauty completed in 1862 according to the plans of the architect Jean-Charles Danjoy. This Provençal bastide of stone and pink brick with rounded facades, which once belonged to a family of Marseilles notables, is the cornerstone of the local heritage.

Away from the town centre, the Montredon district was also an important industrial centre during the 19th century. Today, its old glassworks, marble factories and other factories are gradually being rehabilitated. A figure of the revival of Marseille’s culture, the Friche de l’Escalette has been home to an art centre for a few years now, including a sculpture and architecture park, and regularly offers exhibitions and tours.

Still structured around the old village core, with its charming main square and church, it is a good place to live. The food shops on Avenue de Mazargues and the large market on Boulevard Michelet on Thursday mornings make this a family-friendly neighbourhood.

A rugby match at O’Brady’s pub is a must, as well as the Set Squash. Le Corbusier’s Cité Radieuse is the architectural landmark of the area, with a panoramic roof terrace that is not to be missed.

Central, between Castellane and the Prado traffic circle, and very well served with two metro stops, there are many colleges and high schools, including the Lycée Périer, which makes it a young and lively neighborhood.

Place Delibes is the heart of the neighborhood, with its characteristic newsstand and flower shop. The buildings are mostly Haussmannian, and the life is urban. Despite its urbanization, the neighborhood remains quite green, the perfect balance for a tree-lined city life between city and sea.

Not to be missed: the daily market on the Prado, the largest and most well-stocked in the city.