The beautiful store in Marseille where you can also stay the night

The room

The apartment includes a full-width living area, a bathroom featuring an antique copper bath and hand-held shower, a modern toilet cleverly hidden in a timber bench, and a kitchen kitted out with an antique stove. The bedroom and kitchen lead onto a quiet terrace at the rear with rooftop views and greenery. If 19th-century living doesn’t sound that appealing, don’t worry; all the mod-cons are cleverly hidden in cupboards and drawers. There’s Wi-Fi, a Bluetooth speaker, coffee maker, toaster, microwave and refrigerator.

Food + drink

Virginie explains that the stove is for display only, and I’m not disappointed – tackling cooking with a fire-powered stove is not my idea of a relaxing stay. She gestures with her hands to explain that everyone eats out, and it makes perfect sense. We’re in the heart of one of Marseille’s most exciting food districts. From the balcony, I can see my favourite cafe, Petrin Couchette, where natural sourdough is sold by the kilo. Around the corner is Chez Yassine, Marseille’s best Tunisian restaurant, and the Noailles food market, surrounded by small bars, tea salons and bakeries, is a few steps away. We won’t go hungry.

Out + about

Step back in time – the apartment’s kitchen.

Maison Empereur is in the heart of Marseille, and so everything the city has to offer is on its doorstep. Whether you’re strolling through the historic Vieux Port, visiting the Mucem and Fort, or enjoying sunset drinks on the terrace at the imposing Hotel Dieu, it’s all just a short walk away. Sipping champagne on the balcony while watching the world go by is also an appealing idea.

The verdict

Maison Empereur specialises in the highest-quality products and has a deep respect for artisan-made goods, history and tradition. If you love the store’s aesthetic and philosophy, an apartment stay is the ultimate immersion.