Christmas is fast approaching and you may be one of those who hasn't yet found all of their gifts for your loved ones. Here is a selection of gifts made in Provence for the end-of-year celebrations.
Concert: IAM at the Vélodrome, the historic show
This is undoubtedly a concert that will go down in the history of rap in Marseille. IAM, a precursor group of the hip-hop movement in France, still at the forefront with a 40-year career, will give a concert for the first time at the Orange Vélodrome on June 28, 2025.
After performing at the foot of the Pyramids in 2008, they will be in the Olympian temple with their “guests“. An already historic concert to be offered.
From 45€. orangevelodrome.com
Family: Sixty-five shows at the Circus Biennale
The 6th International Biennial of Circus Arts (Biac) will warm up the winter from January 9 to February 9, 2025 from Avignon to Toulon via Marseille.
In the Marseille city, on the beaches of Prado, the marquee village will host several companies, including the formidable Welsh troupe NoFit State Circus and its Sabotage show, to be seen from 6 years old. Please note, some shows are aimed exclusively at adults.
From 20€. biennale-cirque.com
Well-being: a treatment at the InterContinental spa
A luxury bubble to offer at the last minute for a well-being and relaxation gift in the magnificent setting of the InterContinental Hotel in Marseille (2nd).
Within the Hôtel Dieu with a view of the Bonne Mère, the spa by Clarins offers a special Christmas offer with access to the spa for 2 hours and a 60-minute Clarins treatment of your choice. The offer is available until December 25 to please, for example, your other half.
160€ per person. Available at 1, place Daviel (2nd). ) on 04 13 42 42 43.
Fashion: the eco-friendly slipper from the Espigas brand
To get a (good) foothold into winter. For the holidays, Olivier and Bérengère Perret at the head of the Marseille espadrilles brand Espigas are offering a limited edition of elegant and warm wool slippers. An overall very eco-friendly slipper which has been reworked from wool found in old dormant stocks.
Wools which were intended for period costumes. Available in two patterns: houndstooth and black bayadère.
Slippers priced at €69 on the site: www.espigas-store.com.
Children: 4 iconic tales set to music
The Père Castor collection has not finished telling children about the world and life with its timeless stories such as Michka, the teddy bear who runs away from his capricious mistress.
Four of his tales, Three Little Cats, The Animals Who Were Looking for Summer, The Evening Story and Michka, were set to music by Isabelle Aboulker, with the Maîtrise de Radio France and the musicians of the Philharmonic Orchestra. A marvel of delicacy.
From €19.90 in bookstores.
Beauty: it foams for this felted wool soap
Pauline, shepherd and wool felter at En Vie de Laine who uses the wool from her flock of sheep in Saint-Antonin-sur-Bayon at the foot of Sainte-Victoire, has developed a felted soap from her sheep.
A soap, covered with a wool coat, beautifully decorated by hand. Just wet it and use it like a regular soap. The wool transforms the soap into a soft sponge which is cleansing.
12€ for felted soap. Contact on Facebook En Vie de Laine.
Arty: An art photo at Faces Galerie
Fifteen unique photographic works created by five Marseille photographers are on sale by the Faces gallery (7th) at the price of 29 euros for a resolutely arty Christmas.
An initiative to make art accessible and support local creation that will please the most artistic members of the family under the tree. Limited edition photos, signed and numbered, which combine street scenes, Marseille references and landscapes.
Galerie Faces, 232, rue d’Endoume (7th). 29€ faces-marseille.com
Game: Monopoly in the colors of Marseille
Roll the dice, move your pawn to the Corniche Kennedy space, return to square one, buy Cours Julien, sell Rue Paradis…
The timeless board game has released a Marseille version with Notre-Dame de la Garde in its sights…
The rules of the game do not change, but we find the streets of his city. The game promises to be difficult, we risk crowding around the game board!
€39.99 (on sale at Monoprix and in game stores).
A leather goods workshop
Want a creative, artisanal and personalized gift? At Anakiara in Allauch, Lauriane organizes leatherwork workshops to create her unique little leather handbag.
In a girly atmosphere, in total and caring collaboration with the designer, you can very easily create an original and very personal piece according to your tastes and desires. The ideal gift for all fashionistas.
Solo workshop with bag included €225. anakiara.com.
Creation: a hand-drawn silk scarf
The silk scarf is always a good idea for an elegant gift! Créature Marseille's scarves are hand-designed by Pauline in her Marseille workshop in the 7th arrondissement and come in three formats including the famous 90 cm square.
Bright, shimmering colors and original designs like birds of paradise adorn these timeless accessories that are always a joy at Christmas.
From 105 to 225€. By appointment at the workshop and creature-marseille.com
Spirits: artisanal alcohols from Lolita Roche
Based in Correns (Var), Lolita Roche has been operating its Sentema microdistillery in complete freedom since 2022, working on the basis of superfine alcohols that it produces itself from downgraded batches of organic wines.
Very attached to the use of local products and wild plants, she has developed a small range of artisanal spirits: Maginistère (gin style), Nos Pas Se TISsent (like a pastis), L'Inattendue (eau-de-vie of rose geranium), Vertigo (spearmint and bergamot mint)…
From 40 to 50€ (50 cl). At wine merchants and on distillerie-sentema.com
Gastronomy: gift cards and the Seize party menu
Located in a quiet street in old Arles, Le Seize is the small house of Sarah (dining room) and Julien (kitchen) Richard. The Arlesian chef offers a beautifully mastered gastronomic score all year round.
For the end of the year, Le Seize is offering festive options: gift cards for lunch, brunch or dinner (from €45 to €71). But also a New Year’s Eve dinner at €150 per person with an enticing menu.
15, rue des Porcelets in Arles, at 09 82 50 65 69. All information on www.maisonleseize.com
Creation: NakCeramics: trendy and chic pottery
We never tire of ceramics. It's impossible not to mention in a few lines this small workshop located in the 6th arrondissement of Marseille.
We come to NakCeramics for pottery classes and also to do some shopping. The atmosphere is nice, we discover unique creations or in small series, in the spirit of the times of plates, cups, colorful pitchers. Nuggets to find a little before Christmas and to absolutely offer.
NakCeramics, 69, rue des Bons Enfants in Marseille (6th).
Book: In Marseille, in the footsteps of Monte Cristo
Here we are in the footsteps of the most famous escapee in France, from Noailles to Notre-Dame de la Garde… The photographer Frédéric Presles, who developed a passion a few years ago for the fabulous story of the Count of Monte Cristo, is left for the city in the footsteps of the places frequented at the time by Alexandre Dumas.
He produced a very beautiful 150-page story peppered with passages from the original novel. A beautiful book to slip under the tree.
In the footsteps of Monte Cristo by Frédéric Presles. €39.90
Leisure: With iFly, thrills guaranteed
A unique experience at the Decathlon village of Bouc-Bel-Air. Does a flight in a wind tunnel of the American group iFly in a glass tunnel about ten meters high tempt you? Thrills guaranteed and identical to jumping from a plane, once you enter the air column for this free indoor flight accompanied by a professional instructor. Be careful, it's often full. Remember to book.
From 5 years old. Child: €29.90 iflyaixmarseille.fr.
Wine: An Argentinian Malbec with an Aix accent
Paddy McKillen, the owner of Château La Coste, in Pays d'Aix, also owns a cousin wine estate, La Coste de los Andes, at the foot of the Andes mountain range, in Argentina. Los Andes wines are available at the La Coste boutique in Puy-Sainte-Réparade. Including this extraordinary Malbec, the king grape variety of Argentinian (and Cahors) reds, at once spicy, smooth and fluid. A great gift to take a wine lover's taste buds on a journey.
€54.80. Château La Coste, 2 750, route de la Cride in Puy-Sainte-Réparade, at 04 42 61 89 98. Online store at chateau-la-coste.com
