It's been a while since we were in Marseille, and as so often with places that are close, one tends to forget that they are there. I've been so busy recently and was longing for a break.. to relax for a couple of days, read, enjoy lovely meals and not do much of anything at all.
We came across Le Petit Nice when we were in Marseille a couple of years ago walking along the Corniche Kennedy. You follow the sign off the street down a narrow alley, and then suddenly, this is what you see. It looked so beautiful and inviting that we went in for a drink on the terrace, and as we were enjoying a cold crisp glass of white wine overlooking the Mediterranean, I knew we'd be back one day to spend a couple nights in its calm and tranquil atmosphere.
Le Petit Nice has a family history going back a hundred years. It was bought by Germain Passedat in 1917, who made some additions and improvements and passed the reins to his son Jean-Paul in 1954, who made some more additions and improvements (and who incidentally still greets diners at the bar), and now it is run by his son, the celebrated chef Gérard Passedat, who has made it what it is today. The kitchen has a glass wall looking out onto the alley, so that anyone walking past can watch him and his team prepare the dishes that earned him his 3* Michelin status in 2008.
lunch preparations
Imagine how fabulous it would be to have your meal in the kitchen!
You don't have to be an aficionado of three-star dining to have a wonderful time at the Le Petit Nice.. it is such a welcoming place and such a beautiful setting. The calm, light rooms are stylish and elegant and have amazing views over the Mediterranean sea.. the perfect place to relax and unwind. It was pure bliss to settle down in the room, let the soft breeze float through open windows, and listen to seagulls while reading in bed or lounging on the private terrace.
When the Passedat family bought it in 1917 it was the 'Villa Eugenie'. Then later, because of of its beautiful setting and many improvements and refinements, it was re-named the Petit Nice. Personally, I think of it as the Petit Paradis!
Wearing the kaftan I bought on my birthday trip to St-Paul de Vence in May with an Hermes Kelly Double Tour bracelet in Ebene.
I'm often asked where I get inspiration for my outfits, and the answer is everywhere.. the plants and furniture on the terrace and the colored accents in our room provided me with plenty of ideas for new colour combinations, 'modeled' by my Parures de Samourais, a scarf which has quickly become a favorite in my collection.
What a wonderful surprise to find a turn table and vinyl records in our room. The Parures de Samouraïs was 'right in tune' with the album I pulled out!
The next day... feeling rested already.
Grey and white capsule pieces as above. They are easy summer staples as you can style them in many different ways, which makes them a perfect travelling wardrobe, too.
Le Petit Nice-Passedat, Anse de Maldormé, Cornique JF Kennedy, 13007 Marseille, France
Tel: +33 491 592 592
For hotel information and reservations click here
For restaurant information and reservations click here
www.passedat.fr/en