The 5 districts of Marseille to discover

For your first time in Marseille

With a history stretching back over 2,600 years, Marseille boasts a remarkable architectural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, delicious cuisine and unmissable cultural attractions. Combining art, culture, nature, history and the sea, we invite you to discover the best neighbourhoods in Marseille for first-time visitors, where you can enjoy a stroll, a meal or a night out.

1. Le Panier – 2nd arrondissement

As Marseille’s oldest neighbourhood, which inspired the producers of the TV series *Plus belle la vie*, Le Panier generally attracts visitors with its colourful, leafy alleyways that lead to lively, bustling squares. If you want to discover the real Marseille, this is undoubtedly the neighbourhood to visit during your trip to Provence. Spend a morning or an afternoon strolling through its picturesque alleyways, discovering artisan shops where the owners will share their passion for their craft with you.

In the heart of the 2nd arrondissement, Le Panier is a veritable open-air museum, as evidenced by its murals, which invite admiration, and its cultural venues (the Maison Diamantée, the Pavillon Daviel,the Hôtel de Cabre, the Vieille Charité…). At aperitif time, you can enjoy a glass of fine rosé or pastis in one of the neighbourhood’s cosy little bars. In the evening, take a seat at one of the traditional restaurants to sample a Marseille speciality such as the classic bouillabaisse. In summer, various evening events are organised by local associations, creating a vibrant nightlife where festivities, music and good cheer are the order of the day.

Things to do in the Panier neighbourhood

2. Les Cinq Avenues – 4th arrondissement

Fancy partying until the early hours? Head to Les Cinq Avenues in Marseille’s 4th arrondissement. This neighbourhood is home to a host of must-visit spots: restaurants, bars, pubs… It has everything you need for an unforgettable evening in Marseille.

Families and lovers of history and culture will also enjoy this neighbourhood thanks to the Palais Longchamp, which is located there. Originally built to channel the waters of the Durance, this palace is a true ode to water right in the heart of Marseille and is home to two museums: the Marseille Museum of Fine Arts (in the left wing) and the Marseille Natural History Museum (in the right wing).

For those looking to relax with friends or children, there is a public garden for visitors at the front of the palace, as well as a park with an observatory at the rear.

Things to do in the 5 Avenues neighbourhood

3. The Old Port – 1st arrondissement

The first neighbourhood that springs to mind when one thinks of Marseille, the Old Port is well worth a visit at any time of year and at any time of day. Every morning, the fishmongers’ stalls attract both curious visitors and local regulars in search of freshly caught fish. After passing underthe canopy – designed by the British architect Norman Foster to create mirror-like effects – you can head towards La Canebière, Marseille’s most famous shopping street, to do some shopping, or towards the Mucem, the first major national museum dedicated to the Mediterranean, to explore temporary and permanent exhibitions on a variety of themes (history, archaeology, contemporary art, etc.).

Things to do around the Old Port

4. Notre-Dame-du-Mont – 6th arrondissement

In the Notre-Dame-du-Mont neighbourhood of Marseille, you’ll find La Plaine and Cours Julien –theultimateartists’ hubwhere street art reigns supreme, as evidenced by the numerous graffiti murals on the walls and staircases. Venture into its quirky alleyways to discover designer boutiques with a bourgeois-bohemian and vintage feel, or browse the farmers’ market on Cours Ju’, which offers fresh, organic and seasonal produce. An unconventional neighbourhood in Marseille, it’s just as popular during the day for its restaurant terraces as it is in the evening for its festive and cosmopolitan atmosphere. During your stay, contactthe Marseille Tourist Office, which organises guided tours focusing on street art, so you can learn more about the artworks on Cours Julien.

Things to do in the N-D du Mont neighbourhood

5. La Pointe Rouge – 8th arrondissement

Once the warmer weather arrives, La Pointe Rouge becomes the go-to spot for lively evenings out with friends, thanks to its many trendy bars and nightclubs. During the day, water sports enthusiasts love this part of town, where they can go sailing, scuba diving, stand-up paddleboarding or sea kayaking. Very popular with families and children, the neighbourhood boasts several lovely beaches, such as Anse des Sablettes and Pointe Rouge Beach, where holidaymakers can relax, top up their tan or take a dip in the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. As the gateway to the Calanques National Park, Pointe Rouge enjoys an idyllic setting between land and sea, where its green spaces provide the perfect picnic spots for families.