Where is the Friche la Belle de Mai?

La Friche la Belle de Mai is situated in Marseille’s 3rd arrondissement, at 41 Rue Jobin. It is easily accessible by public transport, by bike, by car or on foot from Saint-Charles station.

Can you visit the Friche la Belle de Mai for free?

Yes, entry to the Friche is free. You can enjoy the outdoor areas, the terrace and certain communal spaces free of charge. However, there is an admission charge for some exhibitions, shows and events.

What is there to do at the Friche la Belle de Mai?

La Friche hosts exhibitions, concerts, shows, festivals, film screenings, workshops and guided tours all year round, as well as dining areas and a large panoramic terrace overlooking Marseille.

Is the Friche la Belle de Mai suitable for children?

Yes, the Friche regularly hosts workshops, shows and events aimed at young audiences. Its large outdoor spaces also make it a lovely place for families.

Is there anywhere to eat at the Friche la Belle de Mai?

Yes, there are several restaurants and cafés on site. They’re the perfect place to have lunch, enjoy a drink or take a break in a friendly atmosphere.

La 'Friche de la Belle de Mai'

A former tobacco factory transformed into a leading centre for contemporary creativity, the Friche la Belle de Mai is a veritable artistic laboratory where culture, creativity and a warm, welcoming atmosphere come together. Throughout the year, it hosts exhibitions, shows, concerts, festivals and a host of other events. With its communal spaces, artists’ studios and its famous roof terrace offering breathtaking views of Marseille, the Friche is an unmissable destination for discovering a creative, vibrant city that is open to all forms of expression.

Origin of the name “La Belle de Mai”

The etymology of the name of the Belle de Mai neighbourhood is a matter of debate.

Legend has it that on 1 May, young girls would elect a queen from amongst themselves, whom they would crown with white flowers. The lucky girl chosen was then nicknamed “la Belle de Mai”.

Another version holds that in the 17th century, a vine growing on the Plombières estate was called “Bèla de Mai” (meaning “beautiful advantage” in Provençal) because it was a late-ripening variety, meaning it produced grapes as late as December. There was also a path known as the “Chemin de la Belle de Mai” which ran from Plombières to the Porte d’Aix, passing by the Saint-Charles cemetery and along what is now Rue Belle de Mai.

The history of the Belle de Mai neighbourhood

Located near Saint-Charles station, Belle de Mai is a neighbourhood in Marseille’s 3rd arrondissement.

Around the turn of the 20th century, Belle de Mai was a working-class neighbourhood and home to the headquarters of the Seita tobacco factory, which closed in 1990. Once the factory was decommissioned, the industrial wasteland was renovated and transformed in the 1990s into a cultural and heritage site.

This working-class neighbourhood is now home to the Marseille Municipal Archives, a media centre and La Friche. The media centre comprises corporate offices and a film studio.

Did you know?

More than three-quarters of the scenes in the television series “Plus Belle La Vie” were filmed in the studios at the Pôle Média de la Friche la Belle de Mai; today, many scenes are filmed in Allauch.

La Friche la Belle de Mai: from a factory to a major cultural hub

The creation of the Friche la Belle de Mai has profoundly transformed the neighbourhood, breathing new life into it. Formerly an industrial site, it has become a true cultural, artistic and economic hub, open to both residents and visitors.

To understand its history, we must go back to the second half of the 1980s. The mayor of Marseille at the time, Gaston Defferre, wanted to breathe new life into the city’s cultural scene. At that time, despite renowned institutions such as the Théâtre de la Criée and the Ballet National de Marseille, the city had one of the smallest cultural budgets in France and lacked major, transformative projects.

La Friche was born out of this desire to create a space dedicated to contemporary creation, artists and new cultural practices. Today, it hosts a rich programme of exhibitions, performances, concerts, festivals and events throughout the year.

The site is also home to the Mucem’s Conservation and Resource Centre, which houses the museum’s documentary collections, archives and library. The Goethe-Institut Marseille is also based there. As the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany, it works to promote the German language and foster international cultural exchange.

For a long time focused on its port and commercial activities, Marseille has often taken a back seat to Aix-en-Provence in terms of cultural influence. The conversion of the former tobacco factory into the Friche la Belle de Mai marked a turning point, helping to establish the city as a recognised cultural destination.

“La Friche is a political experiment, a place for thought and action that is redefining the relationship between art, the local area and society.”

La Friche Manifesto – 2020

A true hub of creativity and innovation

It serves both as a workspace for its 70 resident organisations (350 artists, producers and staff who work there daily) and as a venue for performances (600 public artistic events each year, workshops for young audiences, and major festivals).

With 450,000 visitors a year, 2,500 m² of exhibition space, 6 concert halls, 2 performance theatres, communal gardens, a restaurant, a crèche, a bookshop, an 8,000 m² roof terrace and over 600 events a year, the Friche is a cosmopolitan venue and a hub for meeting and sharing, reflecting the spirit of Marseille.

Throughout the year, the Friche la Belle de Mai offers a comprehensive cultural programme. Open to all, you can stroll along the “friche verte” (the venue’s green space), wander through the playground of the street artists, or stop for a drink at the “Café de La Salle”, open every day.

For skateboarding enthusiasts of all ages and abilities, the Friche’s skatepark is a must-visit. It’s a one-of-a-kind facility, designed by Constructo, an agency specialising in skatepark engineering. It features numerous modules dedicated to ‘street’ skateboarding. Highly popular with the city’s skaters, the Friche Skatepark is well worth a visit.

If you’re feeling peckish,“Les Grandes Tables” at La Friche invites you to sample seasonal produce bursting with flavour. More than just a restaurant, “Les Grandes Tables” is a place for meeting people, sharing culinary and cultural experiences, and reflecting on food and cuisine. Several initiatives have been launched: the Monday evening Farmers’ Market, Les Grandes Carrioles, and even a chef-and-artist street food collaboration.

Over the years, La Friche has become a cultural landmark for the city of Marseille, where everyone can create their own little world and enjoy a unique experience. The project has highlighted the importance of cultural spaces in the city and has brought the creativity and innovative ideas of Marseille’s residents to the fore.

Discover La Belle de Mai

with Marseille Experience

“What La Friche, along with others, demonstrated was that a new path was opening up and that people who were not involved in shaping the city – artists, intellectuals, residents, were getting involved and proposing new ways of shaping the urban environment – ways that anticipate the future without prescribing it or making it rigid.”

Patrick Bouchain, architect

Getting to La Friche

By public transport

Bus – Belle de Mai la Friche stop:
Route 49– Réformés Canebière / Vauban
Route 56– Belle de Mai La Friche / Gare Saint Charles
Service 7 days a week: from 6.40 am to 7.10 pm

Night bus no. 582

Metro
Lines M1 and M2, Gare Saint-Charles stop, orLine M1, Cinq Avenues – Longchamp stop – then a 15-minute walk

Tram
Line T2, Longchamp stop, then a 10-minute walk