The Plaine district

History and anecdotes of this picturesque neighbourhood

Formerly a military parade ground, this area was known as the Plan Saint-Michel. It served as a camp for armed pilgrims, also known as Crusaders, before they set sail.

From the 18th century onwards, the area began to develop gradually into a middle-class neighbourhood. The neighbourhood is renowned for being peaceful; it’s a lovely place to live. In 1881, a 700-metre-long tunnel was dug underground to accommodate Marseille’s very first tram.

In 1953, the very first traffic light was inaugurated by Gaston Defferre. It was also at La Plaine thatAlphonse Fondère and Louis Capazza, two young aeronauts of the time, took to the skies for the first time aboard the airship Le Gabizos, heading for Corsica on 14 November 1886. The journey, though turbulent, was a success. In 1930, Louis-Marcel Bottinelly commemorated their epic feat by creating a monument in their honour.

Things to do in the La Plaine neighbourhood

La Plaine – an underground neighbourhood?

In La Plaine, anything is possible except one thing: getting bored. The neighbourhood’s highly distinctive atmosphere charms all its visitors, young and old alike, and students in particular.

Architecturally speaking, if you’d like to see a typically Marseillais style with small, neutral-coloured buildings, head to Place Jean-Jaurès. If you want to discover colourful façades covered in graffiti by various artists, then let yourself be charmed by Cours Julien.

The neighbourhood has several markets, such as the one of the same name, the Marché de la Plaine, the farmers’ market, the organic market and the craft market on Cours Julien. The farmers’ market on Cours Julien is by far the best known of all the neighbourhood’s markets. Open every Wednesday morning, around thirty local producers share the stalls to offer fresh and organic produce.

In this neighbourhood, you’ll find all sorts of shops and activities: concert venues, bookshops, second-hand clothes shops, flea markets, boutiques run by small designers, bars, cafés and restaurants, all open all year round. The square next to the main square is renowned as the spot for lively football matches.

The Plaine neighbourhood is the ideal spot for bargain hunters looking for vintage items. You’ll even find second-hand bookshops and comic book shops there! However, it’s best known for its second-hand clothes shops. For responsible, second-hand shopping, the Plaine is a paradise on earth. Don’t miss out on any of these spots – dare to venture down the narrow alleyways in search of hidden gems.