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PRESS FILE
SUMMARY<br />
GENERAL SUMMARY _____________________________ 5<br />
THE HOTEL ______________________________________ 6<br />
THE PROjECT ____________________________________ 7<br />
THE ARCHITECTURE _____________________________ 9<br />
THE ARCHITECT ________________________________ 11<br />
THE HOTEL DIEU _______________________________ 12<br />
BAR & RESTAURANTS ____________________________ 13<br />
THE MICHELIN CHEF & ALCYONE ________________ 14<br />
THE SPA ________________________________________ 16<br />
MARSEILLE _____________________________________ 18<br />
THE INTERCONTINENTAL<br />
MARSEILLE: THE VERY BEST<br />
MARSEILLE HAS TO OFFER<br />
Marseille will very shortly welcome a new grandiose<br />
luxury hotel: the InterContinental Marseille - Hotel<br />
Dieu. Perched atop Le Panier, in the ol<strong>de</strong>st part<br />
of <strong>France</strong>’s second <strong>la</strong>rgest city, InterContinental<br />
Marseille - Hotel Dieu is a majestic XVIII th century<br />
building transformed from the former Hotel Dieu.<br />
Originally <strong>de</strong>signed by a nephew of the renowned<br />
architect Mansart, the building boasts superb<br />
staircases, vaulted passageways and <strong>la</strong>rge terraces<br />
and, as an ad<strong>de</strong>d bonus it overlooks the city, offering<br />
spectacu<strong>la</strong>r views of the Vieux Port and the very<br />
ornate Notre Dame <strong>de</strong> <strong>la</strong> Gar<strong>de</strong> Basilica. A superb<br />
location for The InterContinental Marseille - Hotel<br />
Dieu, a unique hotel housed in a building that is a<br />
listed monument! This hotel, when it opens, will be<br />
the most important of Marseille’s 5* hotels, with its<br />
194 rooms, including 22 suites. 72 of these rooms<br />
provi<strong>de</strong> breathtaking, panoramic views of the Vieux<br />
Port. A number of suites have impressive private<br />
balconies commanding marvellous views of the<br />
city of Marseille. Nominated European Capital of<br />
Culture in 2013, the ancient city of Marseille with its<br />
present day booming tourism and cruise industry is<br />
full of an animation and excitement that will woo all<br />
visitors.<br />
Entrusted to the capable hands and creativity of<br />
Jean-Philippe Nuel, a world reference in luxury hotel<br />
<strong>de</strong>sign, the architecture of the InterContinental<br />
Marseille - Hotel Dieu remains faithful to the spirit<br />
and the history of this venerable institution. Its<br />
minerality echoes that of the city with its ancient<br />
monuments, it also draws its inspiration from the<br />
Mediterranean Ocean, cradle of civilization. The<br />
InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu will ensure<br />
that this unique Marseille experience inclu<strong>de</strong>s your<br />
pa<strong>la</strong>te: in addition to the 80 seat brasserie restaurant<br />
that extends onto an outdoor terrace with a<br />
superb view, the hotel also boasts a gastronomic<br />
restaurant of 40 seats proposing local fish and<br />
seafood specialties. For re<strong>la</strong>xation and some tranquil<br />
calm, the hotel proposes the C<strong>la</strong>rins Spa managed<br />
by Deep Nature, 1,000 m 2 equipped with an indoor<br />
pool, two saunas and a hammam, together with<br />
six beauty treatment booths proposing C<strong>la</strong>rins<br />
products exclusively. This serene haven, <strong>de</strong>corated<br />
with contemporary editions of traditional Provencal<br />
wash bowls and <strong>la</strong>voirs, offers guests a soothing,<br />
reinvigorating plunge into the warm and sensual<br />
waters of the Mediterranean.<br />
The InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu is<br />
capable of hosting an array of events in its 1,000 m 2<br />
conference centre. In addition, its cultural centre will<br />
serve as a showcase for its ancestral, architectural<br />
heritage.<br />
A sustainable pilot project, the InterContinental<br />
Marseille - Hotel Dieu is the first hotel ever to be<br />
restructured subject to an environmental quality<br />
certification.This certification requires scrupulous<br />
monitoring of stringent specifications, especially in<br />
the choice of building materials, energy and water<br />
management, visual comfort, acoustics, and in the<br />
quality of air and water.<br />
- 4 - - 5 -
THE HOTEL<br />
The InterContinental Marseille - Hotel Dieu is<br />
located at the foot of Le Panier, the ol<strong>de</strong>st part of<br />
Marseille, and is a mere few steps from the Vieux<br />
Port, a historical and cultural centre and a <strong>la</strong>ndmark<br />
in <strong>France</strong>’s second <strong>la</strong>rgest city.<br />
Established in the former Hotel Dieu, a XIIth century building that was exten<strong>de</strong>d in the XVIIIth century, this superb construction is inclu<strong>de</strong>d in the<br />
supplementary inventory of historic monuments<br />
(ISMH).<br />
From its stately perch its colossal staircases, arched<br />
galleries, gar<strong>de</strong>ns and terraces soar above the<br />
majestic city of Marseille and offer breathtaking<br />
views of the Vieux-Port and the iconic Notre-Dame<br />
<strong>de</strong> <strong>la</strong> Gar<strong>de</strong> Basilica.<br />
When it opens, the InterContinental Marseille will<br />
be the most important 5***** hotel in the city:<br />
• 194 rooms and suites with:<br />
- 172 rooms (72 of these overlook the Vieux-<br />
Port and 33 boast private balconies)<br />
- 22 suites, with<br />
› 15 Junior Suites<br />
› 7 <strong>la</strong>rge Suites with magnificent high ceilings,<br />
with floor to ceiling 5-metre high windows<br />
that offer stunning views of the Vieux-Port<br />
and Notre-Dame <strong>de</strong> <strong>la</strong> Gar<strong>de</strong> Basilica. The<br />
Presi<strong>de</strong>ntial Suite has an exclusive 80 m2 private balcony.<br />
• A 750 m2 outsi<strong>de</strong> terrace offers a panoramic view<br />
over the city and seats 160 people for meals<br />
• 2 restaurants:<br />
- A brasserie style restaurant catering for 80<br />
people extends out onto a <strong>la</strong>rge terrace with a<br />
spectacu<strong>la</strong>r view<br />
- A gastronomic restaurant of 40 seats that serves<br />
fish and local specialties<br />
• A lounge bar with insi<strong>de</strong> seating for 60 and 40<br />
p<strong>la</strong>ces in the central walkway<br />
THE PROjECT<br />
The refurbishment of the InterContinental<br />
Marseille - Hotel Dieu totals a surface of 23,200<br />
square metres, 5,000 square metres of this concerns<br />
new buildings.<br />
Wishing to expand its upscale hotel industry, the<br />
municipal authorities in Marseille acquired the<br />
building in 2003. In 2006 the same authorities<br />
<strong>la</strong>unched an invitation to <strong>de</strong>velopers for their<br />
submissions on a project to transform the Hotel<br />
Dieu into a luxury hotel: on February 5, 2007, the<br />
City Council <strong>de</strong>signated a group of companies to<br />
that effect, comprising the AXA REIM investment<br />
group, the ALTAREA COGEDIM consultants group<br />
and the InterContinental Hotels Group in their role<br />
as Hotel Management.<br />
AXA Real Estate Investment Managers (AXA<br />
Real Estate) is a 100% owned subsidiary of AXA<br />
Investment Managers, ranked the number one real<br />
estate investment manager in Europe, with assets of<br />
THE PROJECT SHAREHOLDERS<br />
Contracting Owner: Axa Real Estate<br />
Developer: Altarea Cogedim<br />
Construction Company: Eiffage Construction Provence<br />
Architects: Agence Bechu and Tangram Architectes<br />
Interior <strong>de</strong>corators: Jean-Philippe Nuel with Tangram Architecte and Agence Bechu<br />
Management: InterContinental Hotels Group<br />
KEy DATES<br />
- Approval of acquisition of the Hotel Dieu from the<br />
Public Assistance Hospitals of Marseille:<br />
December 15, 2003<br />
- Contract awar<strong>de</strong>d by the city of Marseille:<br />
February 5, 2007<br />
- Approval by the city of Marseille for a<br />
99-year lease: 16 July 2007<br />
- Building permission received: between<br />
August 2007 and December 2008<br />
about 42 billion euros of assets un<strong>de</strong>r management<br />
as of March in 2012. AXA Real Estate has more<br />
than 130 third party institutional clients around the<br />
world, with, in addition to in addition to managing<br />
funds for 10 AXA insurance companies.<br />
Architectural <strong>de</strong>sign and <strong>de</strong>coration were entrusted<br />
to Jean-Philippe Nuel, Tangram Architects and the<br />
Bechu agency.<br />
These complex refurbishment works are <strong>de</strong>signed<br />
to conserve, restore and enhance the entire building,<br />
that is a listed monument, making it the f<strong>la</strong>gship of<br />
luxury hotels in Marseille, un<strong>de</strong>r the management of<br />
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.<br />
Parallel to the work on the hotel a new building,<br />
comprising 85 rental units, 165 un<strong>de</strong>rground parking<br />
spaces and three retail outlets, is currently un<strong>de</strong>r<br />
construction on a part of the site to the rear of the<br />
property.<br />
- Work began: April14, 2010<br />
- Tower crane instal<strong>la</strong>tion: Spring /Summer 2010<br />
- Flushing/asbestos removal: first half of 2010<br />
- Demolition/excavation: 2nd half 2010 to<br />
first quarter 2011<br />
- Interior work on the hotel: Fourth quarter 2011<br />
until first quarter of 2013<br />
• A 1,000 m<br />
- Hotel handover: March1, 2013<br />
- Launch of the preparatory work: January 14, 2010<br />
2 conference centre<br />
• An indoor swimming pool<br />
• A C<strong>la</strong>rins Spa<br />
• A cultural space for private events and exhibitions<br />
• An un<strong>de</strong>rground carpark with 54 parking spaces<br />
- 6 - - 7 -
A SuSTAINABLE PILOT PROJECT<br />
From the very outset, respect for heritage and<br />
environmental concerns have been the watchwords<br />
in the construction of the InterContinental<br />
Marseille - Hotel Dieu. This construction is a pilot<br />
project in <strong>France</strong>, being the first hotel restructuring<br />
project subject to Environmental Quality<br />
certification.<br />
AXA and Cogedim have implemented all possible<br />
technical, financial and human resources in or<strong>de</strong>r to<br />
obtain the new “NF Bâtiments Tertiaires - Démarche<br />
HQE ® , Hôtellerie” certificate (NF Tertairy Buildings<br />
certification, associated with the HQE ® ).<br />
This certification requires scrupulous monitoring of<br />
stringent specifications, especially in the choice of<br />
building materials, energy and water management,<br />
visual comfort, acoustics, and in the quality of air and<br />
water. This first-ever HQE ® hotel reconstruction<br />
project is part of ALTAGREEN, the progress-based<br />
approach of Altarea Cogedim to Sustainable<br />
Development, in strict ad<strong>here</strong>nce to the objectives<br />
of the Grenelle Environment Forum.<br />
ARCHAEOLOGICAL<br />
EXCAVATIONS<br />
Excavations were conducted from December 2009<br />
through to February 2010 and focused on three<br />
areas:<br />
- The XIIth century Hospital Chapel of the Holy<br />
Spirit, buried un<strong>de</strong>r the building<br />
- The XVIII th century bronzesmith’s oven<br />
- The geology and the downdip to the rear of<br />
the site<br />
Part of the mosaic discovered in the foundations<br />
of the XII th century chapel will be exhibited in the<br />
hotel.<br />
THE ARCHITECTURE<br />
The architecture of the InterContinental Marseille -<br />
Hotel Dieu was entrusted to Jean-Philippe Nuel,<br />
a world reference in luxury hotel <strong>de</strong>sign and<br />
whose works are characterized by their diversity.<br />
Jean-Philippe Nuel was inspired by the building<br />
itself: eighteenth century architecture from p<strong>la</strong>ns by<br />
Mansart, it was consi<strong>de</strong>red one of the finest hospital<br />
achievements in French architecture un<strong>de</strong>r the Old<br />
Regime.<br />
The mineral character of the building, with its Stone<br />
of Cassis faca<strong>de</strong>, complete with an imposing arch, is<br />
the genius of this whole venture. The opulence of<br />
the project is articu<strong>la</strong>ted through the raw materials,<br />
the attention accor<strong>de</strong>d to the volume and of course<br />
the rich history of the location.<br />
The second source of inspiration is the city of<br />
Marseille itself, situated as it is on the Mediterranean<br />
Ocean.<br />
Like the Hotel Dieu, the city has a very mineral<br />
content with an outcrop of rock. The sky, washed<br />
clean by the prevailing mistral wind, diffuses a bright<br />
light that un<strong>de</strong>rlines the contrasting shadows. Lastly,<br />
is the ever present discourse with water, from the<br />
Estaque quarter to Marseille’s cornice, via the Old Port.<br />
The lobby of the hotel employs these different<br />
themes. The minerality is expressed in alternating<br />
b<strong>la</strong>ck and white stones i<strong>de</strong>ntical to historic hospital<br />
floors and evokes the Sainte-Marie Majeur cathedral<br />
and the Basilica of Notre-Dame <strong>de</strong> <strong>la</strong> Gar<strong>de</strong>, two of<br />
the city’s most iconic buildings.<br />
Reminiscent of the many creeks and inlets that<br />
babble between the rocks and the ocean, the<br />
mineral character of the lobby is somewhat<br />
softened by the Mediterranean ambience: sculptures<br />
of enameled fish, combed cotton carpets that recall<br />
the sand, and the work of the Atelier Bernard Pictet<br />
master craftsman that admirably conjures up the<br />
sparkling illusion of the sea. Behind the reception,<br />
angled towards the entrance, these sculpted g<strong>la</strong>ss<br />
panels are, as it were, virtual windows onto the sea<br />
and they serve to draw one’s gaze to the ceiling<br />
which, in its turn, reveals, a view of the historical<br />
faça<strong>de</strong> of the Hotel Dieu.<br />
- 8 - - 9 -
upstairs, the Bar and Restaurants are located in the<br />
historical parts of the building and thus benefit from<br />
superb high ceilings.<br />
The Brasserie restaurant is <strong>de</strong>corated in typical<br />
brasserie fashion: the novel use of banquette seating,<br />
g<strong>la</strong>sswork and mirrors give it a contemporary style.<br />
The history of the p<strong>la</strong>ce is evi<strong>de</strong>nt in the ceiling<br />
coving, but especially in the apparent historic wall<br />
that so visibly contrasts with the g<strong>la</strong>ss wall.<br />
The history is expressed by other means in the<br />
Bar, chiefly by the reproduction of an 18th century<br />
painting <strong>de</strong>picting the Bay of Marseille. The style<br />
<strong>here</strong> is contemporary; the atmosp<strong>here</strong> is achieved<br />
by the use of blue seats, blue being traditionally the<br />
colour of Marseille.<br />
The Bar and the Brasserie extend onto an outdoor<br />
terrace and have the advantage of a unique balcony<br />
view over the Vieux-Port and Notre-Dame <strong>de</strong> <strong>la</strong><br />
Gar<strong>de</strong>.<br />
In the rooms, the ceiling coving, the embroi<strong>de</strong>red<br />
throw on the bed or the retro bathtub all serve to<br />
remind us that this is an old and venerable building.<br />
Open directly off the bedroom, the bathroom has<br />
Mediterranean-style shutters and its grey tones<br />
remind one of sun fa<strong>de</strong>d driftwood.<br />
The parquet flooring, in the same colour range,<br />
extends out unto the terrace, which serves as a<br />
second living-room.<br />
Room with a view<br />
The room’s setup features built-in equipment,<br />
perfectly integrated into the wood surround<br />
creating a «living wall». This setup gives a unique<br />
character to the <strong>la</strong>rge space, but also a sense of<br />
<strong>de</strong>pth and solidity, like that offered by the thick walls<br />
of old and venerable buildings.<br />
The bathroom opens off the bedroom and benefits<br />
from natural daylight, however, this space can be<br />
closed completely to suit our guests. The ingenious<br />
use of gil<strong>de</strong>d mirrors that reflect the sun’s rays<br />
bathe the four corners of the room in mellow light.<br />
The white leather headboard is a new, contemporary<br />
version of the c<strong>la</strong>ssic, antique beds of times<br />
gone by.<br />
The fossil encrusted tiles in the bathroom once<br />
again evoke the historic past so very present in this<br />
p<strong>la</strong>ce.<br />
The work on historical traces is omnipresent in the<br />
project: from the bathroom tiles to the historical<br />
wall in the brasserie, not forgetting the carpet<br />
pattern throughout the public areas of the hotel; this<br />
<strong>la</strong>tter draws its inspiration from traditional Provencal<br />
embroi<strong>de</strong>ry.<br />
The <strong>de</strong>coration project seeks to un<strong>de</strong>rline the<br />
unique character of this p<strong>la</strong>ce so inextricably woven<br />
into the history of Marseille, avoiding clichés yet<br />
subtly evoking in a myriad of <strong>de</strong>tails, all that gives it<br />
its unique i<strong>de</strong>ntity.<br />
THE ARCHITECT<br />
Further to this first achievement, t<strong>here</strong> followed a<br />
long line of «boutique hotels»: le Général, le Duo<br />
in Paris, the Jiva Hill Park Hôtel near Geneva, the<br />
Avenue Lodge in Val d’Isère in <strong>France</strong>, the Canberra<br />
in Cannes and the Grand Balcon in Toulouse (this<br />
<strong>la</strong>tter received the Hôtel et Lodge special award in<br />
2009). From then on the best luxury hotel chains<br />
enlisted his talents.<br />
JEAN-PHIlIPPE NuEl<br />
Jean-Philippe Nuel was born into a family of architects<br />
who were also <strong>de</strong>sign and contemporary creation<br />
enthusiasts. He obtained his <strong>de</strong>gree in architecture<br />
at the Beaux-Arts in Paris and rapidly went on to<br />
gain recognition by taking his p<strong>la</strong>ce on award winning<br />
lists in numerous i<strong>de</strong>a and brainstorm contests,<br />
including one chaired by Kenzo Tange, the well-known<br />
contemporary Japanese architect. He went on to<br />
execute work on a Parisian hotel as overall project<br />
manager, creating and <strong>de</strong>signing both the architecture<br />
and the <strong>de</strong>coration.<br />
He is currently working on several iconic projects<br />
in <strong>France</strong>, all of which address a very topical theme:<br />
the conversion of listed historical monuments into<br />
luxury hotels. It is in this context that in 2012, the<br />
former Pa<strong>la</strong>is <strong>de</strong> Justice in Nantes and in 2013, the<br />
InterContinental Marseille will be <strong>de</strong>livered.<br />
www.jeanphilippenuel.com<br />
- 10 - - 11 -
THE HOTEL DIEU<br />
Foun<strong>de</strong>d in 1166 by the Confraternity of the<br />
Holy Spirit and called «The Holy Spirit Hospital»<br />
the building was originally a long line of adjoining,<br />
narrow houses, taking in abandoned children and<br />
the sick.<br />
In the thirteenth century the hospital administration<br />
came un<strong>de</strong>r municipal control. In 1344, Bernard<br />
Garnier, a rich merchant, foun<strong>de</strong>d the Women’s<br />
Hospital of Saint-Jacques of Galicia. In 1593,<br />
Charles <strong>de</strong> Cazaulx, first consul of Marseille joined<br />
the Hospital of Saint Jacques <strong>de</strong> Galicia and the<br />
Hospital of the Holy Spirit, making them into a single<br />
institution: The Hotel Dieu.<br />
Over time the Hotel Dieu Marseille expan<strong>de</strong>d. In<br />
1723, Jacques Daviel (famous for his innovative<br />
treatment of cataracts) created a study of anatomy<br />
ANECDOTES<br />
• The Hotel Dieu in Marseille is one of the major<br />
architectural achievements of XVIII th century<br />
<strong>France</strong>, in the field of hospitals.<br />
• Located as a rule adjacent to the cathedral and<br />
subject to the authority of the local bishop, the<br />
first Hotel Dieu establishments began emerging<br />
in <strong>France</strong> in the seventh century. Although their<br />
origins are uncertain it would appear that they<br />
were used initially to house pilgrims and to<br />
evangelize travellers. This function of hospitality<br />
gradually changed. The building was divi<strong>de</strong>d,<br />
becoming part hospice and part hospital caring<br />
mainly for the el<strong>de</strong>rly, the sick and the needy.<br />
• The Hotel Dieu in Marseille was the theatre of the<br />
first ever cataract operation in 1750.<br />
on the hospital premises. un<strong>de</strong>r the Old Regime,<br />
the Hotel Dieu differed totally from other French<br />
hospitals in that it employed secu<strong>la</strong>r staff only to<br />
take care of the patients.<br />
Due to the steady increase in the popu<strong>la</strong>tion of<br />
Marseille down through the years, and this <strong>de</strong>spite<br />
the terrible epi<strong>de</strong>mics that ravaged the city, the<br />
hospital was too small. From 15,000 inhabitants in<br />
the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the popu<strong>la</strong>tion<br />
rose to 65,000 in the <strong>la</strong>te seventeenth century and<br />
was over 100,000 in the Revolution of 1789. Given<br />
this <strong>de</strong>mographic crisis, the hospital was regu<strong>la</strong>rly<br />
the subject of expansion projects.<br />
In 1993, the <strong>la</strong>st patients left the Hotel Dieu. The<br />
institution went on to provi<strong>de</strong> education for stu<strong>de</strong>nt<br />
nurses. It closed its doors <strong>de</strong>finitively in 2006.<br />
• Following the complete refurbishment that<br />
was <strong>de</strong>ci<strong>de</strong>d upon in 1860, the Hotel Dieu was<br />
inaugurated by Napoleon III.<br />
• The foundations of a XII th century chapel are<br />
buried beneath the hotel lobby. A part of<br />
the mosaic, which is now listed by the city’s<br />
archaeological services, will be on show in the<br />
hotel.<br />
• The corridors of the passageways were situated to<br />
the front of the building. These were open, at the<br />
time, as the reigning medical opinion in the XVIII th<br />
century was that fresh air was good for the sick.<br />
These galleries have been transformed into private<br />
balconies that overlook the Old Port area and<br />
Notre-Dame <strong>de</strong> <strong>la</strong> Gar<strong>de</strong>.<br />
BAR & RESTAURANTS<br />
THE BAR<br />
It is all happening at the CuTTING EDGE Capian<br />
bar in Marseille!<br />
With its verve and style, The Capian is w<strong>here</strong> the<br />
local ‘in- crowd’ will mingle with international visitors<br />
while sipping <strong>de</strong>licious, local cocktails in the lounge.<br />
The atmosp<strong>here</strong> and the <strong>de</strong>sign are as intoxicating<br />
as the <strong>de</strong>licious cocktails! Don’t miss this bar!<br />
Resi<strong>de</strong>nt and visiting DJs are sure to bring a unique<br />
excitement and buzz to this new fashionable haunt!<br />
The lounge bar will be the venue for all who wish<br />
to see and to be seen in this vibrant city, especially<br />
when enjoying the magnificent terrace that extends<br />
along the imposing 750 m2 that fronts the bar and<br />
the brasserie. The outdoor brasserie serves up to<br />
160 guests. A mo<strong>de</strong>rn, contemporary <strong>de</strong>sign in blue<br />
tones reflects the omnipresent sea <strong>here</strong>.Eighteenth<br />
Century Maritime seascapes contribute to the<br />
historical theme to be found throughout the hotel.<br />
RESTAuRANTS<br />
Guests will have a choice of two restaurants.<br />
The brasserie «Les Fenêtres» and «Alcyone» the<br />
gastronomic restaurant.<br />
Les Fenêtres is <strong>de</strong>corated in a traditional brasserie<br />
style with banquettes and tables offering an intimate<br />
atmosp<strong>here</strong>. It will cater for up to 80 guests.<br />
The imaginative <strong>de</strong>sign using g<strong>la</strong>ss and mirrors<br />
un<strong>de</strong>rlines the stylish, harmonious overall aspect<br />
The Mediterranean cuisine is, of course, <strong>de</strong> rigueur!<br />
However, all visitors, both local and international are<br />
catered for, with a well-<strong>de</strong>signed menu providing a<br />
<strong>la</strong>rge range of choices.<br />
Alcyone, the gastronomic restaurant is located in<br />
the Hotel Dieu’s East wing and caters for as many as<br />
80 guests.<br />
The <strong>de</strong>cor is enhanced by warm intimate tones of<br />
beige and brown.<br />
The exquisite cuisine takes its inspiration from the<br />
sea. Fresh,local in season produce is the requisite<br />
and is sure to gratify even the most discerning<br />
pa<strong>la</strong>tes.<br />
AWARD WINNING Chef, Lionel LEVy, is a Michelin<br />
star Chef since 2005. Lionel learned his tra<strong>de</strong> from<br />
chefs whose fame is worldwi<strong>de</strong>, chefs such as Loïc<br />
FRECHON and A<strong>la</strong>in DuCASSE. Lionel is proud to<br />
continue the tradition of these renowned chefs.<br />
- 12 - - 13 -
THE MICHELIN CHEF AND ALCYONE<br />
LIONEL LÉVy: THE DuCASSE<br />
SCHOOL!<br />
Lionel Lévy is no stranger to abnegnation and<br />
is committed to excellence. Best characterized<br />
by his curiosity, a dose of risk, an adventurous<br />
temperament, a steady hand, Lionel is always ready<br />
to try new gourmet creations… a heritage from the<br />
Ducasse School w<strong>here</strong> he spent 6 years. As assistant<br />
chef at Spoon, Food and Wine (1998/99),he learned<br />
the fine art of authentic Mediterranean cookery<br />
with its incomparable vegetables. Lionel appreciates<br />
the value of tradition and of passing it on.<br />
He has the mindset and the ethics of a team lea<strong>de</strong>r.<br />
Even today his links with The Chef are close and<br />
Lionel Lévy has adopted A<strong>la</strong>in Ducasse’s motto:<br />
«savoir-faire, faire faire et faire savoir» (know how<br />
and know how to share the know how!).<br />
HIS CuLINARy STyLE<br />
His cuisine constantly evolves, drawing the<br />
inspiration for his creative menus from the region’s<br />
natural resources, spiced and colourful like the<br />
South, renewed throughout the year with fresh,<br />
in season produce. It tastes of the Mistral, fishing<br />
vil<strong>la</strong>ges and the sun, with savours and f<strong>la</strong>vours that<br />
must be tasted to be believed!<br />
An acknowledged authority in creative gastronomy<br />
in mo<strong>de</strong>rn-day Marseille, Lionel Lévy has been a<br />
lIONEl lEVY<br />
Despite a slight Toulouse accent, Lionel Lévy is<br />
at heart a citizen of Marseille. Hailing as he does<br />
from the South of <strong>France</strong>, Lionel is a lover of all<br />
things Mediterranean since the creation of his own<br />
restaurant in Marseille almost 15 years ago.<br />
une Table au Sud opened in November 1999<br />
just around the corner from the Hotel Dieu. This<br />
restaurant, overlooking the Vieux-Port, enjoys a<br />
won<strong>de</strong>rful view of Marseille and the «Bonne Mère».<br />
Alcyone, the Hotel Dieu’s gastronomic restaurant will<br />
be Lionel’s next creation and new p<strong>la</strong>yground.<br />
Michelin star chef for the past 7 years. While texture<br />
and full f<strong>la</strong>vour are his top priorities, he greatly<br />
enjoys creating contrasting combinations of the<br />
smooth and the crisp, suprisingly pleasing to the<br />
pa<strong>la</strong>te.<br />
With his attention to <strong>de</strong>tail and his unending<br />
search for perfection, Lionel chooses his fish from<br />
the port’s fresh catch. Vegetables come from local<br />
producers known for their quality and meat is<br />
bought from only the very most reliable bree<strong>de</strong>rs.<br />
The servings are generous, attractive, with great<br />
attention to elegance.<br />
MARSEILLE HAS TALENT/<br />
MARSEILLE HAS PASSION<br />
It took years of patient observation and research<br />
before Lionel Lévy <strong>la</strong>unched his f<strong>la</strong>gship dish:<br />
«Bouille-Abaisse». This Marseille speciality that has<br />
been revisited, mo<strong>de</strong>rnised and reinvented, half<br />
poached - half roasted, is a <strong>de</strong>light to both the eye<br />
and the pa<strong>la</strong>te and a tribute to the primary f<strong>la</strong>vour<br />
of the fish and to the spices and aromas of saffron,<br />
garlic and orange.<br />
While, on his own admission, he is 100% Marseil<strong>la</strong>is,<br />
Lionel benefits from his perception as a non-native.<br />
His 12 years in Marseille have provi<strong>de</strong>d him with<br />
consi<strong>de</strong>rable knowledge of the city, its habits and its<br />
culture. Over the years, the Chef has gained a group<br />
of loyal fans who love his cuisine.<br />
Always willing to cater for special requests he seems<br />
to infallibly know how to cater for all tastes.<br />
Local traditions have always been important to<br />
Lionel Lévy, who has great ambitions for his future<br />
in this city. His professional projects are driven by<br />
his <strong>de</strong>sire for local <strong>de</strong>velopment and investment.<br />
He never misses a chance to reveal the different<br />
facets of Marseille, regu<strong>la</strong>rly inviting starred chefs<br />
to work with him in or<strong>de</strong>r to discover regional<br />
products and provi<strong>de</strong> a fresh look at Mediterranean<br />
cuisine.<br />
MARSEILLE: VISION FOR 2013<br />
Lionel Lévy, with his passion for sharing and working<br />
with others, was the mastermind behind the<br />
creation of a new group «Gourmediterranée»,<br />
that has succee<strong>de</strong>d in bringing together and<br />
energizing over 30 young and committed Marseille<br />
chefs, a huge plus for regional gastronomy.<br />
Objectives for 2013 and in<strong>de</strong>ed for the long term<br />
are to reinvent and promote Provencal cuisine by<br />
using regional savoir faire, products and gastronomy.<br />
- 14 - - 15 -
THE SPA<br />
The Spa is the first ever Spa by C<strong>la</strong>rins to be<br />
created in Marseille and also inaugurates the first<br />
partnership between the famous brand of cosmetics<br />
and an InterContinental Hotel. With its 1,000 m2 it<br />
will feature six treatment rooms, a re<strong>la</strong>xation room,<br />
a pool, gym, sauna and two hammams.<br />
un<strong>de</strong>r the management of Deep Nature, the<br />
Spa C<strong>la</strong>rins will offer a range of beauty care and<br />
treatment that remain true to the fundamental<br />
principles of C<strong>la</strong>rins: treat the skin very gently using<br />
fluid movements, with regu<strong>la</strong>r pressure ensuring<br />
that t<strong>here</strong> is no disp<strong>la</strong>cement of tissue. Beauty care<br />
is specifically oriented to rejuvenate and enhance<br />
youth, radiance, skin ba<strong>la</strong>nce and purity. Body care<br />
will focus on slim and trim bodies and will inclu<strong>de</strong><br />
firming or toning.<br />
THE POOL<br />
Away from the public gaze and protected from the<br />
sun’s rays by the outdoor walkways, the swimming<br />
pool is a sanctuary, created to emu<strong>la</strong>te what is<br />
typical of Marseille, through the contemporary use<br />
of traditional Provencal type pools and <strong>la</strong>voirs, so<br />
characteristic of the history and culture of water<br />
in this region. The pool surround is ma<strong>de</strong> of local<br />
light-coloured stone, another remin<strong>de</strong>r of the area’s<br />
mineral content; it mirrors the construction of the<br />
very building; solid and without ostentation.<br />
The second concept is a reference to the city’s<br />
history and spotlights water and how it is channeled.<br />
Inspiration for this is <strong>de</strong>rived from the construction<br />
of the Pa<strong>la</strong>is Longchamp celebrating the arrival<br />
of water to Marseille. The main wall becomes a<br />
waterfall in perpetual motion that feeds the pool.<br />
Finally, the third element of this <strong>de</strong>lightful<br />
composition is the light, diffuse and indirect giving<br />
the impression of both warm and cold, illustrates<br />
magnificently the city’s constantly changing light and<br />
adding greatly to the atmosp<strong>here</strong> <strong>here</strong>.<br />
BEAuTy TREATMENTS<br />
Four single booths, a double VIP booth with jacuzzi<br />
and privatized indoor and outdoor re<strong>la</strong>xing area<br />
and a booth specially <strong>de</strong>signed for Thai massages<br />
performed on floor level.<br />
The Spa also boasts a spacious re<strong>la</strong>xation room and<br />
an indoor and outdoor herbal tea bar in a private<br />
gar<strong>de</strong>n.<br />
With its mo<strong>de</strong>rn, up-to-date equipment the Spa<br />
offers a range of beauty care treatment for the face<br />
and body provi<strong>de</strong>d by a staff of professionals who<br />
are experts in the field of wellbeing.<br />
WATER<br />
The special shower is in itself a sensory experience<br />
that takes you on a journey across the world that<br />
stimu<strong>la</strong>tes all the senses.<br />
Its airy, gracious forms, original décor, set-up, theme<br />
programs, curtains of mist, alternating hot and cold<br />
water jets, subtle lighting, perfume diffusion and<br />
background music…<br />
Two saunas, one of which is infrared and<br />
recommen<strong>de</strong>d by the medical profession being, as<br />
it is perfectly adaptable to all ages thanks to its mild<br />
warmth that has neither humidity or steam. The<br />
temperature normally varies between 40 et 60°C.<br />
HAMMAM<br />
A veritable purification ritual using steam baths<br />
helps induce sleep, eliminates toxins, tones muscles<br />
and also purifies the body and<br />
the respiratory tract. Faithful to<br />
tradition, a second hammam has<br />
been installed, complete with<br />
an exfoliation scrub table to<br />
remove <strong>de</strong>ad cells and rejuvenate<br />
and enhance the skin’s radiance,<br />
softness and e<strong>la</strong>sticity.<br />
THE FITNESS CENTRE<br />
With its bow-shaped space whose three faca<strong>de</strong>s<br />
are bathed in natural light, the fitness centre is quite<br />
simply elegant.<br />
The atmosp<strong>here</strong> is one of comfort that is in<br />
contrast with the technical elements of the sports<br />
equipment.<br />
The concept is based on three elements:<br />
- The double-skin faca<strong>de</strong> curving into the ceiling<br />
creates a backdrop that softens the lines of the<br />
building.<br />
- The ample snow-white drapes adorn the walls<br />
and gently filter the light.<br />
- The giant mirror, stunning in its disproportions,<br />
sits on the floor leaning against the main<br />
structural element, mirroring the reflection<br />
Notre-Dame <strong>de</strong> <strong>la</strong> Gar<strong>de</strong>.<br />
The ambience is one of soft sha<strong>de</strong>s, a medley of<br />
greys ranging from the warm to the pale that bring<br />
together in harmony the various elements that<br />
compose this space.<br />
- 16 - - 17 -
MARSEILLE<br />
Foun<strong>de</strong>d around 600 B.C. by Greek sailors<br />
from the city of Phocaea in Asia Minor, named<br />
Massalia, the «Phocean City» is the main French<br />
and Mediterranean port (even more important<br />
than Genoa) and the fourth European one.<br />
Internationally, Marseille has the second most<br />
important consu<strong>la</strong>r representation in <strong>France</strong> with<br />
over seventy consu<strong>la</strong>tes. The Euroméditerranée<br />
business district and the nomination of the city<br />
as the European Capital of Culture for 2013 are<br />
important assets that support Marseille’s role in the<br />
Mediterranean.<br />
In 2009, the popu<strong>la</strong>tion of Marseille was 850,602<br />
inhabitants, making it the second most popu<strong>la</strong>ted<br />
area in <strong>France</strong>.<br />
Its overall 1,560,343 inhabitants, in the city centre<br />
+ suburbs, make it the second <strong>la</strong>rgest city in <strong>France</strong>.<br />
EuROPEAN CAPITAL OF<br />
CuLTuRE 2013<br />
Marseille was nominated European Capital of<br />
Culture for 2013.<br />
The European Capital of Culture programme was<br />
<strong>la</strong>unched in 1985. It aims to foster unity among<br />
Europeans, by annually nominating 2 cities that<br />
become for the space of a year, a stage for artistic<br />
events to honor their historical and cultural heritage.<br />
In 2013, Marseille will share this honour with the<br />
Slovak city of Kosice.<br />
Fireworks, concerts, para<strong>de</strong>s... Marseille-Provence<br />
2013 will be not merely festive, as it also has<br />
50 major architectural projects, to the tune of<br />
600 million euros, partly financed by the European<br />
union. In all, more than 1 billion euros will be spent<br />
on the project.<br />
Among the more ambitious projects worthy of a<br />
mention: the construction of MuCEM, the Museum<br />
of European and Mediterranean Civilization, the<br />
Regional Mediterranean Centre (a space <strong>de</strong>dicated<br />
to exhibitions and cultural events), the Euromed<br />
Centre, an international p<strong>la</strong>tform for cultural<br />
exchange and the Belle <strong>de</strong> Mai Media Pole, one of<br />
the <strong>la</strong>rgest sound and image centres in <strong>France</strong>, with<br />
its 26,000 m2 allotted to the cinema, audiovisual and<br />
multimedia. All of these projects benefit from the<br />
cooperation of Euroméditerranée.<br />
EuROMÉDITERRANÉE<br />
Set up in 1995, Euroméditerranée is an initiative of<br />
the State and local authorities and an operation of<br />
national importance; its aim being to p<strong>la</strong>ce Marseille<br />
on a par with major European cities. A creator<br />
of economic, social and cultural <strong>de</strong>velopment,<br />
Euroméditerranée is consi<strong>de</strong>red to be the greatest<br />
urban renovation operation in Europe.<br />
It is building a new «city within a city», in compliance<br />
with the principles of sustainable <strong>de</strong>velopment.<br />
Infrastructure, public spaces, but also offices,<br />
housing, shops and hotel outlets, hotels and leisure<br />
and cultural facilities are un<strong>de</strong>r construction or<br />
renovation.<br />
Area : 480 acres<br />
Accommodation: +18,000<br />
Offices and business: +1,000,000 m2 Shops and retail outlets: +200,000 m2 Public facilities: +200,000 m2 Public parks and green spaces: 60 acres<br />
Jobs: +35,000<br />
Popu<strong>la</strong>tion: +38,000<br />
Investment: 7,000,000,000 €<br />
By entrusting its most important projects to<br />
<strong>de</strong>signers of international fame, Euroméditerranée<br />
has enabled Marseille to take its rightful p<strong>la</strong>ce<br />
among the most creative European cities and help<br />
reinforce its international status. Among the iconic<br />
architectural <strong>la</strong>ndmarks is the CMA CGM tower<br />
<strong>de</strong>signed by Zaha Hadid; the Arenc Quay that is the<br />
brainchild of Jean Nouvel, yves Lion, Jean-Baptiste<br />
Pietri and Ro<strong>la</strong>nd Carta; the MuCEM <strong>de</strong>veloped<br />
by Rudy Ricciotti and Ro<strong>la</strong>nd Carta; the Regional<br />
Mediterranean Centre created by Stefano Boeri<br />
and the Euromed Center, created by Massimiliano<br />
Fuksas.<br />
By the year 2013, these finished projects will be<br />
sending a strong message and may well become a<br />
new <strong>la</strong>ndmark for the city, like Manhattan in New<br />
york, the CN Tower in Toronto or the Opera House<br />
in Sydney. The towers will complement Notre-<br />
Dame <strong>de</strong> <strong>la</strong> Gar<strong>de</strong> and the Marseille Cathedral of<br />
the Major, changing the city skyline view as seen<br />
from the sea.<br />
The arrival of great architects is proof of the<br />
region’s appeal and of the success of the strategy<br />
implemented by Euroméditerranée over the<br />
<strong>la</strong>st <strong>de</strong>ca<strong>de</strong>. Marseille can now take part in the<br />
competition being waged by major European<br />
capitals.<br />
- 18 - - 19 -
SOmE NOTABlE PROJECTS:<br />
The museum of European and mediterranean<br />
Civilization (muCEm) was entrusted to Ro<strong>la</strong>nd<br />
Carta and Rudy Ricciotti, the first state creation<br />
of a major national museum outsi<strong>de</strong> of Paris. The<br />
building has the appearance of a 19-foot high<br />
cube draped in a <strong>la</strong>cy concrete mesh, <strong>de</strong>signed to<br />
protect the exhibitions from the sun’s rays with its<br />
“moucharabieh” <strong>la</strong>tticework (a type of woo<strong>de</strong>n<br />
Moroccan architecture).<br />
The Euromed Center : Evoking the outlines of<br />
dolphins, this 70,000 m2 complex will house a<br />
convention centre and a 3,000-seat multiplex. It was<br />
<strong>de</strong>signed by Massimiliano Fuksas and is run by the<br />
film director and producer Luc Besson.<br />
The Silo d’Arenc : A veritable rebirth for the former<br />
Arenc grain silo, a pil<strong>la</strong>r of the industrial heritage of<br />
Marseille, now transformed into a 2,000-seat theatre<br />
inspired by the Olympia in Paris, and office space.<br />
Designed by Eric Castaldi and Ro<strong>la</strong>nd Carta.<br />
The CmA CGm headquarters tower: Designed<br />
by Zaha Hadid, winner of the 2004 Pritzker<br />
Architecture Prize.<br />
The 33-storey building in g<strong>la</strong>ss, concrete and steel,<br />
is 148m high.<br />
A BOOMING INDuSTRy FOR<br />
PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS AND<br />
REuNIONS<br />
In the past 10 years, Marseille has successfully<br />
become a genuine challenger among traditional<br />
French and European business <strong>de</strong>stinations. 150th in the International Congress and Convention<br />
Association (ICCA) in 2007, the city has ma<strong>de</strong> a<br />
dramatic rise in recent years, moving up to 87th position in 2009.<br />
A total of 366 events and 911 conference days with<br />
some 83,500 participants, were held in 2010.<br />
The economic benefits from congresses and<br />
conferences held in Marseille in 2009 totalled 150<br />
million euros. Along with the <strong>de</strong>velopment of the<br />
hotel industry, meeting rooms are being renovated<br />
and expan<strong>de</strong>d to cater for a growing <strong>de</strong>mand for<br />
the hosting of even greater events.<br />
Among the privileged locations, for those taking<br />
part in conferences, is the historical Pa<strong>la</strong>is du<br />
Pharo, built for Napoleon III. It offers a 900-seat<br />
amphitheatre and numerous superb meeting rooms,<br />
all overlooking the Old Port.<br />
The Chanot Park, another strategic location, has<br />
<strong>la</strong>unched a programme to renovate its convention<br />
centre and boasts a splendid plenary meeting room<br />
with 2,500 stadium style seats and a brand new<br />
5,000 m2 lobby.<br />
As a result, the city is fast becoming the<br />
Mediterranean reference in matters concerning<br />
professional conferences and meetings and clearly<br />
intends to occupy a leading position in this field<br />
henceforth.<br />
TRANSPORT : A DESTINATION<br />
PROVIDING BETTER AND BETTER<br />
SERVICE AT AN INTERNATIONAL<br />
LEVEL<br />
AIR TRANSPORT<br />
With more than 7.5 million passengers in 2010<br />
(a record), the Marseille-Provence airport has<br />
registered, for the seventh year running, an increase<br />
in its passenger traffic (+3.2% compared to 2009).<br />
The <strong>de</strong>stinations (London, Amsterdam, Brussels,<br />
Frankfurt, Munich, Prague, Rome, Algiers, Barcelona,<br />
Madrid, Lisbon…) are hub airports, generating more<br />
and more passengers from all around the world.<br />
RAIl TRANSPORT<br />
In terms of passenger transport Marseille is the<br />
second main train station in <strong>France</strong>, the Saint<br />
Charles station has about 50 <strong>de</strong>partures per day to<br />
Paris and Lyon.<br />
Among the main TGV <strong>de</strong>stinations are: Marseille/<br />
Lyon (29 TGV/day); Marseille/Paris (17 TGV/day) ;<br />
Marseille/Lille (11 TGV/day) ; Marseille Roissy-CDG<br />
(9 TGV/day) ; Marseille Bruxelles (7 TGV/day).<br />
AN INTERNATIONAL TOuRIST<br />
MARKET ON THE INCREASE AS A<br />
RESuLT OF THE CRuISE BOOM<br />
In 2010, Marseille welcomed more than 710,000<br />
cruise passengers, an increase of 11% on the figures<br />
for 2009, which already show an increase of more<br />
than 17% on those of 2008. These results more than<br />
illustrate the growth of the cruise industry in this<br />
Mediterranean city, more and more companies are<br />
choosing to make it one of their main ports of call.<br />
In actual fact, it is cruises from the port of Marseille<br />
that show the most important increase: 54% in<br />
2010 compared to the previous year.<br />
The one million cruise-passenger mark was reached<br />
in 2011.<br />
MARSEILLE, GATEWAy TO<br />
PROVENCE<br />
Marseille boasts an exceptional coastline and more<br />
than 300 days of sunshine per year!<br />
The natural heritage <strong>here</strong> is quite simply<br />
extraordinary. Numerous parks, that constitute a<br />
green lung, are located in the very heart of the city<br />
and offer refreshing havens when the sun shines too<br />
strongly. The «Ca<strong>la</strong>nques», rocky inlets also known as<br />
the fjords of Provence; c<strong>la</strong>ssified as a National Park,<br />
merely a few kilometres from the Old Port area<br />
of Marseille. All the year round, they offer a perfect<br />
terrain for a host of outdoor sports. Over a distance<br />
of 20 kilometres stretch fabled creeks and coves,<br />
some private, but most are naturally wild, w<strong>here</strong><br />
turquoise waters beckon, an invitation to re<strong>la</strong>x.<br />
Marseille is also the gateway to Provence, the<br />
French region that is a dream <strong>de</strong>stination for people<br />
from all parts of the globe. Ah! The Provence of<br />
<strong>la</strong>ven<strong>de</strong>r fields and picturesque vil<strong>la</strong>ges,that attracted<br />
famous painters like Van Gogh and Cezanne. Aix-en-<br />
Provence, Arles, Avignon, Oragne and Saint-Remy<br />
<strong>de</strong> Provence are other won<strong>de</strong>rful p<strong>la</strong>ces to visit in<br />
Provence.<br />
- 20 - - 21 -
6 PLACE DAvIEL • MArSEILLE, 13002 • FrANCE<br />
TEL: +33 (0)4 91 04 39 74 • FAX: +33 (0)4 93 38 20 91<br />
Key to the InterContinental<br />
Marseille Hotel Dieu
www.intercontinental.com/marseille