Special report - Marseille / Nice / Cannes: business in the sun

La joliette Euromed

Euromed, a vast 480-hectare area encompassing the Joliette, Belle de Mai and Rue de la République districts, is in the process of being transformed into a truly sustainable city. The process, which began in the mid-1990s, is admittedly a long one, but it is now moving up a gear, with the goal of 2013, when Marseille will take on the title of European Capital of Culture.

By The Editor -

Published on 21/07/2010

Today, Euromed is brimming with projects, some underway, others nearing completion. Like the CMA CGM tower, the first of Marseille's future skyline, served since March by the Quais d'Arenc tram station. This is a central point in the district, which will soon see other skyscrapers designed by Jean Nouvel, Yves Lion, Baptiste Piétri and Roland Carta. The aim of this major urban development project, to which a further 160 hectares are soon to be added to the north, is to attract 38,000 residents in 6,000 renovated flats and 16,000 brand new ones. It will also create 35,000 jobs, 100,000 m2 of offices, 400,000 m2 of shops and 20 hectares of public spaces. But Euromed will also be a mecca for culture and education, with the future Mucem national museum, numerous theatres (including Luc Besson's multiplex), several high schools and universities. There is even talk of the construction of a huge conference centre.

Hotels

Suite Hotel Centre Euromed

Located just a stone's throw from the Dock of the Bay restaurant, this 121-room hotel is one of the new establishments gradually being added to this fast-developing business district.

33, bd de Dunkerque - Tel: 04 91 01 56 50 Fax: 04 91 01 56 54 - E-mail: h6189@accor.com Internet : www.accorhotels.com

Adagio Aparthotel République

Opened in December 2009, this hotel residence with 142 flats (studio to two-bedroom) is located in the Euromed Joliette area, just a stone's throw from the Vieux Port. Suitable for medium and long-term stays, it offers Wi-Fi Internet access, large offices and a brightly coloured interior. The TGV station is nearby.

30, rue Jean-Trinquet - Tel: 04 96 11 67 00 Fax: 04 91 52 17 13 - E-mail : H7525@adagio-city.com

Restaurants

Dock Of The Bay

Large bay windows, white and grey-blue between immaculate igloos with half-square, half-round openings. This quirky, trendy place, in the heart of Euromed's Docks district and opposite the new Zaha Hadid tower, is still the only upmarket restaurant in the area (as projects abound). The contemporary cuisine, with its Mediterranean accents, can be enjoyed in a variety of ways: brunches, lunches, dinners, cocktails, boxed lunches... Of course, all kinds of corporate events can be organised here.

Coeur Méditerranée, 35, bd de Dunkerque Tel: 04 91 01 43 62 - E-mail: contact@dockofthebay.fr Internet: www.dockofthebay.fr

Le Milano Des Docks

This is the only business restaurant on this truly exceptional site, with a lovely terrace in summer (most of the other establishments on the Docks offer takeaways and few real tables). It serves simple but fresh Mediterranean dishes.

10, place de la Joliette, Atrium 10 - Tel.: 04 91 91 27 10