‘Le cours Julien’, the artists’ and street art district

A bit of history

The ‘Cours Ju’ originally served a completely different purpose , as it was the heart of Marseille – the wholesale and retail fruit and vegetable market – from around 1860 to 1970. The Cours Julien and La Plaine were Marseille’s main hubs for the trade in fruit and vegetables. Farmers from the surrounding towns and villages – such as Plan-de-Cuques, Château-Gombert, La Pomme, Mazargues and Bonneveine – would unload their produce on the Cours Julien, both in the wholesalers’ warehouses and in the open air. The market was held along the Cours, brought to life by the lively banter of the ‘Partisanes’ (semi-wholesalers), whose voices are still very much alive in the memories of the people of Marseille.

Around 1960, the City of Marseille, in order to relieve congestion in the city centre and on the Cours Julien, decided to consolidate all fruit and vegetable wholesale activities onto a single site in the Arnavaux district. In the 1960s, the Marseille City Council planned to bring all fruit and vegetable trading activities together on a single site, to free up space in the city centre and on the Cours Julien.

In 1963, it set up a semi-public company, SOMIMAR, to develop and manage a Market of National Interest (MIN) in the Arnavaux district (14th arrondissement). The Cours Julien market moved there in March 1972.

Did you know?

The Tourist Office offers guided tours focusing on street art, so you can find out all about the artworks on the Cours Julien! Whether it’s a tour for the whole family on a Wednesday or with friends on a Saturday, there’s something for everyone.
Enjoy a unique and original stroll with our guide Alexandra in the heart of this artists’ quarter!

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A lively and trendy neighbourhood

The Cours Ju has now become a unique and unmissable part of the city. A hub for artists, with its art galleries, creators of all kinds, shops and musicians, it’s a lovely place to visit both during the day, for its restaurant terraces, and in the evening, for its festive and cosmopolitan atmosphere, as well as its pedestrianised streets and play areas for children and families.

Its farmers’ and organic market is very famous in Marseille and is open on Wednesday mornings. You’ll find around thirty local producers selling fresh, high-quality produce. The Cours Julien lets you combine a 100% Marseillais shopping experience, with its designer boutiques, with relaxation at the Place de Notre-Dame-du-Mont, where there are plenty of bars and restaurants. You can also discover second-hand clothes shops, concert venues, the magnificent Palais des Arts and its famous pétanque court, the Boulodrome Carli! Why not have a quick game of pétanque before heading off to explore the bustling streets of Marseille?

Practical information

The Cours Julien is very easy to reach on foot from the Vieux-Port; it takes about ten minutes’ walk, with a slight incline. You can also get there by metro (line 2), getting off at the “Notre-Dame du Mont” stop.

Where can you eat on the Cours Julien?

Gérarh restaurant

Restaurant Gérarh is located in the lively Cours Julien district, right in the heart of Marseille. Chef Gérard Habib's cuisine is 100% homemade,...

Top 10 things to do at the Cours Julien

1/ Watch the pétanque players at Place Carli in action
2/ Explore La Licorne soap workshop (daily from Monday to Saturday at 11am, 3pm and 4pm)
3/ Seek out the temporary creations of street artists from Marseille and abroad in the urban landscape
4/ Listen to renowned or up-and-coming organists on Tuesdays during the lunch break at the Church of Notre-Dame du Mont
5/ Visit the market on Wednesdays and discover local producers
6/ Plan an evening out in the neighbourhood, which is home to numerous venues for night owls (concert halls, theatres, nightclubs)
7/ Plan a shopping trip to explore the neighbourhood’s boutiques and second-hand shops
8/ On certain days, join the graffiti and street artguided tour with an expert guide from the tourist office
9/ Spend some time at Place du Cours Julien, which hosts a range of events (a second-hand and antiquarian book market on the second Saturday of every month, and a craft market in May, June, September and December)
10/ Have brunch on a Sunday at Mama Shelter