Sunny Marseille

Look out for the clock

La Tasca is a hidden gem. This buzzing tapas restaurant is tucked away in a quiet (for Marseille) side street off La Plaine in the heart of the city.

You barely notice the facade, so look for the clock on the wall and the friendly man on the door. Inside is a different story. You enter a world of rich red, extravagant lighting, and powerful mojito cocktails.

First you hit the bar for an aperitif while you wait (you always have to wait). Then you go through to a cosy restaurant but, if you’re lucky, you’ll get a table in the extraordinary courtyard at the back. It’s always busy (book well in advance) and often hectic but that’s half of the appeal. The tapas is varied with lots of amazing seafood and reasonably priced and the waiters are good looking and good fun.

La Tasca, 102 Rue Ferrari, 13005 Marseille

www.latasca.fr

Enjoy the fantastic images of Marseille and the surrounding areas as it prepares to become the European city of culture in 2013.

The sun’s out, the accordionist is playing, fresh sardines are being sold off the boats in the Vieux Port and the bistro terraces are filling up.

A typical winter’s day in Marseille.

Winter sun in Marseille

Looking for great pizza in Marseille? Ignore the restaurants around the Vieux Port (except for the excellent La Vieille Pelle) and look for the roadside pizza vans.

These little lorries, equipped with wood fired pizza ovens, are dotted throughout the city and have a loyal following among locals in the know. They are worth trying not only for the pizza but to try to get to grips with the Marseille accent and banter!

Our favourite is Lolo Pizza on Place du 4 Septembre in the 7^th arrondisement, where the pizzas are cooked to perfection by the lovely ‘Lolo’ (we’re not sure if that’s his real name!). The pizza base is not too heavy and the tomato sauce is delicious!

Lolo's "Camion Pizza"