| | | Marseille: a selection of addresses Par Olivier Vergniot
Close to the Velodrome Stadium The Prado Beach On the way out from the stadium, the thirstiest can choose from many bars. Others will prefer to stretch their legs, walking down Avenue du Prado to the sea. The Prado Beach will be hosting the rugby village and a giant screen will be installed to experience or prolong matches. There will be a fine sand stadium for beach rugby with many tournaments for men and for women. Nor will you go hungry: the seafront offers a multitude of Provencal and Asian eateries, pizzerias, creperies, grill restaurants and Tex Mex cafes... Plages du PradoPrado Beach13008 Marseille O’ Brady’s Irish Pub A pioneer pub in Marseille, established 10 years ago, with a tavern interior and a guaranteed match atmosphere under a ceiling of rugby shirts and scarves. As for draught beer, no problem, there are 15 pumps including Guiness which, according to connoisseurs, is served here according to the rule book. Open daily from 11 am to 2 in the morning with an Irish lunch special at lunchtime (black pudding, bacon, smoked salmon, Irish stew). In the evening, sandwiches and snacks are available to help you give full support to your favourite team on the TVs while listening to the French or English commentary you can choose. A venue renowned for its joyous get-togethers in an atmosphere of Celtic music and, of course, stadium songs. O’ Brady’s Irish Pub378, avenue de Mazargues 13008 Marseille Tél : 04 91 71 53 71 Connolly’s Corner In the Pointe Rouge district by the sea, at the far end of the corniche, a little, quieter pub. The management and personnel are Irish and all have of course become pure malt Marseillais. A hybrid venue: inside a very fighting-spirit lair and, to the rear, an open-air Provencal courtyard where you can also enjoy one of the 10 Irish and Belgian draught beers, as well as keg drawn cider. Screens everywhere, no meal service but sandwiches and toasted snacks to keep body and soul together. Pleasant for those wishing to actually listen to one another going back over matches to the end of the night. Connolly’s corner2, avenue de la Madrague de Montredon 13008 Marseille Tél : 04 91 72 51 65 Town centre, Vieux Port Rue Venture A slight distance from the Vieux Port, between the very famous Rue Paradis and the shopping street, Rue Saint-Ferréol, lies Rue Venture - 110 m long by 5 m wide. From 6 September to 20 October, this little street, that still recalls the old Marseille, will go rugby mad with all the equipment it takes: 20 linear metres of outside counters, open-air beer pumps and pastis galore, braziers and giant paellas, terraces from one end to the other, jazz, bandas... and extra mobile toilets. Everything has been planned for third half-times with a 'feria' atmosphere and matches broadcast in all the venues in the street. Rue du Rugby will be the vibrant heart of most vibrant Marseille. Rue Venture13001 Marseille Little Canterbury The den of Lionel Tonini, a former player and still an aficionado of the oval ball. This establishment is the beating heart of Marseille rugby, the only one combining a rugby boutique, restaurant and cafe. A friendly interior, warm decor, stone walls, wood, internal shutters and rugby trophies. Specialities seared on a special grill, seafood and meat. Reasonable prices, in the heart of the festivities! Little Canterbury12, rue Venture 13001 Marseille Tél : 04 91 33 07 84 Le Grand Latin The hippest corner of Italy in Marseille. Immense room with a contemporary decor, walls decorated with paintings of culinary inspiration, open kitchen as the backdrop. The main Italian classics are lovingly prepared: raviolis with ricotta, lasagnes with Brousse cheese, veal saltimbocca, tiramisu… No screen to watch the matches, but a guaranteed stadium atmosphere. One of the few restaurants where you can come in a group and sit down at large tables between which circulates a proprietor to boost the atmosphere and whose gift of the gab is worth that of any trainer speaking his mind in the changing rooms. Le Grand Latin27, rue Sainte 13001 Marseille Tél : 04 91 54 08 27 Le Misti Brasserie Simple and restful decor where you can eat healthily choosing from salads and dishes of the day priced from 9 to 12 €. Sincere welcome and rapid service; bottle of water systematically brought. Pleasant after walking in town. In the evening, it's a peaceful bar, where you can try a Corsican beer... for a bit of a change. Le Misti Brasserie45, rue Sainte 13001 Marseille Tél : 04 91 54 33 92 Brasserie Les Templiers One of the oldest brasseries in Marseille, with its back to the Vieux Port, close to the Centre Bourse shopping centre. Since 1895, it has always been ready to honour sport, especially rugby, with its 10 draught beer pumps serving brown ale, red ale and lager from Belgium and across the Channel, backed up by a list of 50 bottled beers on sale. For the World Cup, the establishment, which usually closes at around 8 pm, will remain open late for two months. It's an opportunity to try a good andouillette or a homemade steak tartare to build up your strength without spending a fortune, between 3 giant screens. Guaranteed atmosphere thanks to veteran rugbymen 'Les Vieux Porcs de Marseille', regulars at this venue. Brasserie Les Templiers27, rue Reine Élisabeth 13001 Marseille Tél : 04 91 90 03 54 La Brave Margot The rugby restaurant rugby in Marseille, located near the city hall, on the edge of the entirely renovated Place Villeneuve Bargemon where one of the immense screens will be sited by the official organiser. 'Rugby fans are big eaters but appreciate good food', says Claude Bernard, the welcoming proprietor of the venue, who knows what he's talking about. A former rugbyman and a cook by trade, he lovingly prepares a basically southwestern menu (foie gras, duck cutlets...) or featuring Provencal specialities. In the same way that he had the knack of getting the ball out of the scrum, he now makes it a point of honour to go and source the best produce – ducks, mushrooms, salmon, goat cheeses - where it is to be found... Throughout the World Cup, he will also propose a dish adapted to the taste of the visitor's country and a house special at 40 € all included, even wine. An address already known by rugbymen. Supporters are advised to come in a group! La Brave Margot22, rue de la Guirlande 13002 Marseille Tél : 04 81 90 83 41 Une Table au Sud For the beauty of the game, the 'vision' of Lionel Lévy, the rising star of Phocean gastronomy who, in an extremely talented manner, takes a new look at food from all the Mediterranean perimeter. For the 2007 World Cup, he has decided to stay open every day of the week and until late. An opportunity not to be missed. However, you have to pay the price: menus at 37, 52.74 and 105 € but, with a view over the Vieux Port, you depart on an unforgettable gastronomic cruise. Reservation essential. Une Table au Sud2, quai du Port 13002 Marseille Tél : 04 91 90 63 53 Shops Yankee Nord Marseille Football or rugby, the same passion! In the name of a Marseille-style mingling of cultures, this famous OM supporters club will transform its venue into a rugby boutique for two months. Shirts, balls, commemorative T-shirts, souvenirs... the city's 14 rugby clubs and the whole international rugby community will be made to feel at home in this football fans lair. Yankee Nord Marseille11, rue Venture 13001 Marseille Tél : 04 91 54 79 12 Four des Navettes To take home in your suitcase Marseille's finest fragrance. Ascend Rue Sainte up to Abbaye de Saint Victor: the delicious smell of orange flower will guide you directly to the city's oldest bakery (1781) where the inimitable navettes have been lovingly made for two centuries in the greatest secrecy. The whole Provencal soul and all the city's Oriental desires in a single biscuit. Navettes are sold in packs of twelve. Four des Navettes136, rue Sainte 13007 Marseille Tél : 04 91 33 32 12 | 
Le Panier, a stroll through the old MarseilleBuilt on the site of the ancient Greek Massalia, the Panier is a typically Mediterranean district with colour-washed facades. In its centre shines a French Baroque gem, the Vieille Charité hospice... | 
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