European Architecture Tour | Marseille

Nov 26

Welcome back to the final leg of my European Architecture Tour series. We spent the majority of our last week in Europe in Marseille — the oldest city in France. I’ll be honest, I knew very little about the city before this trip. It wasn’t even on my radar as a place I wanted to visit, so I arrived with no expectations and no real to-do list.

Upon arrival, it was immediately clear that Marseille had a very different energy from Paris or Avignon. A little chaotic and rough around the edges, yet full of history and character. The city has a long tradition of rebuilding itself after periods of conflict, and the result is an atmosphere that feels more grounded and authentic — less about grandeur, more about everyday beauty.

That same sensibility carries through its architecture. Many of the buildings feature the classic French elements — shutters, balconies, and tall, narrow windows — but without the ornate embellishment of Paris. The simplicity feels appropriate for a seaside setting, where the architecture seems to relax into its surroundings. One structure that stood out, however, was the Notre-Dame de la Garde — easily one of the most ornate and striking churches I’ve ever visited.

Marseille was an unexpected ending to our journey — a city that may lack the polish of Paris or the quiet charm of Avignon, but makes up for it in authenticity and spirit. Reflecting on the trip as a whole, I’m struck by how distinct each stop felt: Haarlem’s postcard-perfect streets and storybook gables, Cologne’s resilience and craftsmanship, Paris’s grandeur, Avignon’s quiet elegance, and finally, Marseille’s unpolished coastal charm. Each revealed a different side of European architecture — from ornate to understated, refined to rugged — and together they reminded me that design, like travel, is as much about contrast as it is about beauty.

I hope you enjoyed following along 🤍