Apothecary Notes — Marseille, France

A City That Holds Its Rhythm

We love Marseille for its energy: a city alive with a food scene that never stands still, a vibrancy that reflects creativity and the art of living well. It’s unlike anywhere else in France: raw and radiant, grounded in its port-city heritage yet endlessly open to the world.

A City That Arrives All at Once

Marseille greets you in a single breath. Sunlight flashing across cobalt water, the call of fishmongers at the Vieux-Port, scooters weaving between market stalls, and the scent of sea salt caught in the warmth of sun-baked stone. When in Marseille, you match its rhythm, stepping into a living, layered current.

The Energy of Contrast

Every turn reveals a surprise: a narrow alley spilling into a sunlit square, street art blooming across centuries-old walls, a sudden frame of turquoise sea through the shadows of Le Panier. Even after many visits, Marseille never stands still; its details shift with the light, sound, and scent, inviting you to keep noticing.

Movement and the Mind

Environmental psychology shows that dynamic landscapes, alive with movement, shifting light, and varied texture, spark alertness and creativity. In Marseille, this becomes second nature. You learn to adapt, to stay present within the energy, to meet movement with intention.

From Streets to the Sea

We love to pause at Cécile Food Club in Malmousque, gathering a snack and a book before settling by the Corniche watering holes. A little further, Kennedy Fish Bar serves seafood fresh from the morning’s catch — the taste of the sea itself.

On another day, you can cycle to the nature reserve at Calanques National Park: a journey of shifting light and open horizons before spending the day on the water. Paddleboarding over glassy shallows, floating between swims, slipping into the sea again and again: the hours pass in the rhythm of tide and breath. These are oceanic notes in their truest form: sea moss, salt, and the mineral clarity of open water; the same elements that infuse our Expression parfum. They speak of freedom, calm, and the invigorating energy that comes from immersion in the natural world.

Rituals on Land

On quieter mornings, Pura Vida Yoga offers a flow that mirrors the sway of the sea. And at Sessùn Alma, you’ll find objects and crafts that hold Marseille in their lines and textures — a way to carry its spirit home in your hands.

Eat: Nourishment with a Sense of Place

anatomē’s picks of restaurants where wellness and flavour come together.

• CECILE FOOD CLUB - “Sunlit café-deli serving fresh, creative bites by the sea.”
• POISSONNERIE KENNEDY - “Casual seafood spot for oysters, grilled fish, and ocean views.”

Relax: Places to Breathe and Recalibrate

anatomē’s picks of places to pause, breathe, and unwind in the city.

• LES BORDS DE MER – “For a moment of serenity in the spa and to enjoy the swimming lane on the rooftop, overlooking the bay” – Laure
• PURA VIDA YOGA – “For a lesson with the talented Morgane Lasalarie” – Emmanuelle

Shop: Ritual Objects for the Journey Home

anatomē’s picks of favourite places to shop to help you unwind.

• SESSÙN ALMA – “To discover unique craft objects, flip through a beautiful book and grab a spot of lunch!” – Emmanuelle

Expression in Motion

In Marseille, Expression lives in the salt on your skin, the ocean light on the horizon, the feeling of being energised and at ease. It’s a reminder that vitality and calm can coexist — that the sea can steady you as much as it can lift you. The city and the parfum share the same truth: a life fully lived is one in which movement and stillness find their balance, carried on the air of the ocean.

Now Available at anatomē - Shop The New Travel Edit Collection

The A Week Abroad Arles and Camargue edition, and the Balance fragrance, are available now at anatomē.