This Edgy Neighborhood in the South of France Was Just Named the Coolest in the World

Hint: It’s an artsy enclave in a French port city.

The South of France is one of the best places in Europe to experience natural beauty, fairytale charm, and a more laid-back way of life. Provence offers fragrant lavender fields and enchanting hilltop villages like Gordes and Menerbes. The dazzling beaches and glamorous atmosphere make French Riveria towns such as glitzy Saint-Tropez summer hotspots that continue to captivate travelers during the off-season.

As if the abundant markets, verdant vineyards, and sun-kissed coast weren’t reason enough to visit this storied region, here’s another: Time Out recently released its seventh annual list of the World’s Coolest Neighborhoods — with Notre Dame du Mont in the port city of Marseille claiming the top spot.

“The neighborhoods on this year’s list have a lot in common: great places to eat and drink, cutting-edge culture, street life, and a thriving community. But they’re also a distinct reflection of their cities, with each of them offering something special you wouldn’t find anywhere else. Some have only just reached their moment; others have been ‘cool’ for some time and are finding a new groove — all of them should be on your radar to visit in these cities,” Grace Beard, Travel Editor at Time Out, explained.

The top 10 list includes:

1. Notre Dame du Mont in Marseille, France

2. Mers Sultan in Casablanca, Morocco

3. Pererenan in Bali, Indonesia

4. Seongsu-dong in Seoul, South Korea

5. Kerns in Portland, Oregon, U.S.

6. Stokes Croft & St Paul’s in Bristol, United Kingdom

7. Chippendale in Sydney, Australia

8. Principe Real in Lisbon, Portugal

9. Glória in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

10. Windsor in Melbourne, Australia

What gave Notre Dame du Mont the edge over other hip hoods like Mers Sultan in Casablanca, Morocco, and Pererenan in Bali, Indonesia? In contrast to the nearby cities of Aix-end-Provence and Nice, Marseille is largely defined by its subversive attitude and progressive street art. That edgy appeal takes root in Notre Dame du Mont, the former artists’ district turned in-the-know hangout. Eclectic, gritty, and pulsating with creativity, it’s packed with graffiti-clad alleys, galleries, and exhibition spaces.

Beyond the buzzy art scene, there are heaps of restaurants, cafés terraces crowded with bistro chairs, inclusive bars and clubs, and indie boutiques. It’s a place to mingle with old-school Marseillais and Parisian hipsters alike and where travelers can’t help but get swept up in the laid-back yet rebellious and lively spirit.

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