Aparthotel operator Staycity Aparthotels has opened the first of two new properties planned for France in Marseille.

Staycity already operates an aparthotel in the popular 10th district of Paris, minutes from the Gare de Paris-Est transport hub. The new property, located in Marseille’s popular historical Vieux Port, has 108 apartments.

In March 2017 Staycity will open in Lyon in a purpose-built, 144-unit development in the city centre, within walking distance of the historic old centre and 10-minutes from the main business hub and train station.

“France has long been a mainstay in our expansion plans and we hope to add further properties in strategic sites in the coming years,” commented Staycity CEO Tom Walsh.

“These properties and our existing premises in Paris, provide us with a firm base in France, which will help build our reputation as the go-to aparthotel operator.”

Dublin-based Staycity Aparthotels is one of the fastest-growing serviced apartment providers in Europe.  The company now operates over 3,000 apartments across 10 major cities in the UK and Europe with expansion plans taking it to 15,000 apartments by 2021. Other openings over the next 12 months include Manchester (182), London Covent Garden (106) and Liverpool (202).