Marseille lives at a different pace to the rest of France. It's undeniably beautiful, yet also inherently shabby, with a rough edge that reveals a darker underbelly. Despite the port city's luxurious Mediterranean backdrop, there's a sense of grit and grind that separates it from the mundane playgrounds of the wealthy that define much of southern France.

This has an effect on how the city comes to life after hours – its underground nightlife has evolved with the same raw defiance that defines its streets. Post-COVID, the scene has been dominated by audacious sound systems and collectives like Metaphore Collectif, whose experimental, gabber-fuelled DIY raves and parties foster a strong sense of community in inclusive spaces that feel both deeply local and globally connected.

From DIY clubs and basement jazz cafés to delicious diasporic food spots, Marseille shines as France's premier nightlife destination. V_drmgm is a DJ, cultural critic and academic researcher who co-runs the Slow Life Entertainment collective, which hosts Marseille raves/club nights soundtracked by rap and club music with an experimental edge. Below, he shares his nighttime guide to the city he calls home.