Nelly's experience in Marseille

How was living in Marseille? Would you recommend it? How's the city?

I lived for 18 years in Marseille. It's a city where people live outdoor, on weekends, families gather in parks, college students and university students gather in pubs, shops or they go to the beach and so on. The atmosphere is very welcoming. You are never alone for a long time.

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How is student's life in Marseille

Marseille is not well known for being a city for students because there are only three grandes écoles. However, Marseille's faculty of medicine and law have a good reputation. Nights out are excellent. The only problem is the lack of night public transport which prevents people from going out. But otherwise, lots of students meet up in Aix-en-Provence, which is 30 minutes by bus from Marseille, for the atmosphere in the nightclubs and pubs.

What is the living cost in Marseille?

The living cost is affordable. It is cheaper than other cities like Lyon and Paris, but it isn't that cheap. A baguette is 80 cents. And then, according to the districts, this can vary significantly: Corniche and Prado are very expensive whereas in the 13th and 14th arrondissements we can find very interesting prices.

Is it hard finding accommodation in Marseille? Any recommendations you would give?

It is harder to find a good place rather than accommodation. For students, the best place is Timone as that is where medicine, pharmacy, etc students gather and the atmosphere is very cool. Otherwise, other students meet up in Lumini but it is very far from the centre. The districts of Plaine and Cours Julien are very lively, dynamic and for young people.

How's the local food? What are your favourite plates?

There are many places to visit in Marseille:

• Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde to see the whole city,
• MUCEM and J4 to see the investment of the city in the setting of Marseille Culture 2013,
• Corniche,
• the beaches of Prophètes,
• the park Borély in which there are spots to see and places to gather in the evening.

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What about places to eat in Marseille? Can you tell us your favourite places?

There are many pubs and restaurants in Plaine and Cours Julien, which are not very expensive for a very cool atmosphere.

Where would you recommend to go to Marseille?

The clubs and pubs in Vieux Port aren't bad. Shamrock is a nice place to have a beer with your friends. Barberousse is a pub where the music is very nice and the shooters are original, it's great to go there before going clubbing.

Any other advice to future Erasmus students in Marseille?

The best way to make the most of the student life in Marseille is to settle fast in a group of university students to try have access to private nights.