10 Most Popular Streets in Marseille
Take a Walk Down Marseille’s Streets
By walking the most popular streets in Marseille, you can trace the history of the city and take in the Provençal culture. Along the way, you’ll discover the bright Marseille atmosphere. Admire breathtaking panoramas, explore colorful street art, and buy a unique souvenir from a local creator or an antique seller.
Looking around the popular streets in Marseille is an experience in itself. From an authentic seafront in the Old Port to the lively hipster Cours Julien area, the busy shopping street of Saint-Ferréol, or the long boulevard along the Mediterranean Sea, you have plenty of choices when it comes to finding places to discover historical landmarks, go shopping, or simply enjoy the views with a glass of rosé.
1. La Canebière
Marseille’s most famous street
Good for: Food, History, Luxury, Shoppers
La Canebière is one of the most popular streets in Marseille, and it’s also rich in history. Starting from the Old Port and running to the Capucin neighborhood, this wide avenue was once a symbol of the city and its port. You’ll discover beautiful buildings that witnessed the intellectual and business activities of the past.
La Canebière is a great destination for shopping. You’ll find luxury brands and department stores as well as unique shops like Maison Empereur, France’s oldest hardware shop. Pedestrianization works have made this area a greener place, so you can simply relax and enjoy the walk. If you need a break, stop in at one of the cafés lining the street. Read more
Location: La Canebière, 13001 Marseille, France
La Canebière
2. Rue du Panier
Where the city started
Good for: History, Photo, Shoppers
Just a few steps from the Old Port, la Rue du Panier is part of the authentic Panier neighborhood. This is the place on a small hill where Greeks founded the city around 600 BC, and it has attracted immigrants and artists ever since. Take a walk along this narrow, colorful, and lively street to feel the distinctive atmosphere of multicultural Marseille you’ve read about in books.
You’ll find lovely souvenir stores, picturesque artists’ studios and galleries, and open-air cafés. There’s an official shop of Plus belle la vie, a popular French television soap opera featuring the Panier area. However, one of the most striking things about the street and the neighborhood is its gorgeous street art and graffiti.
Location: Rue du Panier, 13002 Marseille, France
Rue du Panier
3. Quai de Rive Neuve
Where the postcard image becomes real
Good for: Couples, Food, History
Strolling on the Quai de Rive Neuve in the Old Port is an experience in itself. Breathe the salty sea air and admire the view. You can enjoy one of the many restaurants here and relax with a meal on a terrace. Be sure to stop at the Bar de la Marine, a well-known bar that was the setting for Marcel Pagnol’s famous trilogy.
Another interesting place to visit is a small museum devoted to Marseille’s soap, notorious for its beneficial effect on any skin type. Close by, there’s another city landmark, the Fish Market, which was founded in the early 20th century. Finally, you can take a boat and discover the Calanques massif, a real wonder of nature.
Location: Quai de Rive Neuve, 13007 Marseille, France
Quai de Rive Neuve
4. Cours Julien
The largest street art district in France
Good for: Shoppers, Photo, Food, Budget
Le Cours Julien is located in a lively hipster district, where people come to Le Cours Julien is located in a lively hipster district, where people come to listen to music, meet with friends, and boost their creativity. You’ll love this colorful place for its artsy vibes, independent shops run by local designers and creators, and bookstores. Le Cours Julien is the largest area in France devoted to street art and graffiti.
This is a great place for food tourism. There are several markets, including the farmer’s market and the organic market, selling high-quality products from local producers. Grab a glass of fresh fruit juice and look around the small adjacent alleys to explore the best examples of local street art. Read more
Location: Cours Julien, 13006 Marseille, France
Cours Julien
5. Rue Saint-Ferréol
The city’s main shopping artery
Good for: Budget, Couples, Shoppers
Rue Saint-Ferréol is the main shopping artery in the center of Marseille. This pedestrianized street brings together the most affordable brands. You’ll find a large variety of textile, fashion, jewelry, and leisure shops, plus bookstores and superstores like Galeries Lafayette. There’s also a store dedicated to Marseille’s soccer team.
The street is also interesting for its architecture. You’ll discover some beautiful facades along the way, often occupied by quite mundane brands and banks. Come down here on a weekday morning if you want to avoid crowds. Alternately, choose Saturday afternoon if you enjoy the hustle and bustle, as this is the time when young people gather on Rue Saint-Ferréol. Read more
Location: Rue Saint-Ferréol, 13001 Marseille, France
Rue Saint-Ferréol
6. Corniche John F. Kennedy
The best spot to enjoy the sea view
Good for: Couples, Photo, Food
The Corniche John F. Kennedy is a 1.8 mile long boulevard running along the Mediterranean Sea from Catalan Beach to Prado Beach. Enjoy a long walk through one of the most popular streets in Marseille and find a great spot to admire stunning views of the sea and the Friuli archipelago. You can also take a picnic and relax on Prophet’s Beach, one of the oldest beaches in the city.
Another option is to have a gastronomic break in one of the restaurants along the boulevard and enjoy the mix of French cuisine with a splendid Mediterranean panorama. Finally, if you go toward the end of the Corniche, you’ll find the large Prado beaches where you can enjoy water sports. Read more
Location: Corniche Président John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 13007 Marseille, France
Corniche John F. Kennedy
7. Esplanade J4
Cultural hotspot with sea views
Good for: Families, History, Photo
Esplanade J4 bears the name after a former hangar used for port activities. Today the 5 acre esplanade is a popular place in Marseille to combine a pleasant seaside walk with a cultural visit. Located at the foot of Fort Saint-Jean, overlooking the sea, the esplanade is surrounded by impressive buildings, including the beautiful Cathédrale La Major and the Pharo Palace.
The MuCEM, an outstanding modern museum dedicated to the European and Mediterranean civilisations, is found on Esplanade J4. The museum building, a huge cube with its elegant concrete lacework, has become a popular Marseille landmark. After visiting the museum, don’t forget to head to the terrace to enjoy the exceptional view.
Location: Esplanade J4, 13002 Marseille, France
Esplanade J4
8. Rue Edmond Rostand
The antique arts quarter
Good for: Shoppers, History, Photo
Rue Edmond Rostand, with its wrought-iron arch, marks the entrance to the neighborhood of antiques in Marseille. Named after the author of the play Cyrano de Bergerac, the street is made up of elegant Hausman-style buildings with facades built out of cut stones and continuous balconies.
The street is an excellent place to explore more than 30 antique stores and art galleries to find design and decoration rarities. Four times a year, the area becomes pedestrianized and locals and tourists come to discover old objects.
Location: Rue Edmond Rostand, 13006 Marseille, France
Rue Edmond Rostand
9. Avenue du Prado
Home of historic architecture
Good for: Shoppers, History, Photo
Avenue du Prado is a very popular street in the center of Marseille. It’s hard to pass by because the avenue allows you to reach Prado Beach, the longest city beach and one that’s ideal for water sports. Just nearby, you’ll find vast lawns and a nice park.
Stretching toward the Castellane neighborhood, Avenue du Prado has several remarkable historical buildings along its length, such as the Neo-Romanesque-Neo-Byzantine-style Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and the Armenian Apostolic Church. Don’t miss the Cinéma Prado movie theater with its original Art Nouveau features. The street is also popular for shopping, notably for its busy open-air market that sells a bit of everything.
Location: Avenue du Prado, 13008 Marseille, France
Avenue du Prado
10. Rue Paradis
The bourgeoisie corner
Good for: History, Luxury, Shoppers
Rue Paradis is the second-longest street in the city and a historical landmark of Marseille’s bourgeoisie. Extending from La Canebière to Avenue du Prado, the street is home to several buildings of historic interest and many high-end boutiques. Take your time to stroll along the wide sidewalks and feel the warm atmosphere of the daily life of French bobo, the name for the bourgeois-bohemian group in France.
You’ll discover major luxury brands, jewelers, concept stores, young designers’ brands, chocolate shops, and excellent restaurants on Rue Paradis. There are also remarkable monuments, including the Saint-Joseph church and private mansions of the Gasquy family. Nearby, there’s the Cantini museum hosting a vast 20th-century art collection.
Location: Rue Paradis, 13006 Marseille, France
Rue Paradis
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