The shopping districts of Marseille

If you love fashion, art, interior design and fine local produce, the city of Marseille is sure to charm you with its many shopping districts, market alleys and impressive shopping centres. It’s the perfect opportunity to mingle with the locals, chat with shopkeepers and producers, and soak upthe authentic atmosphere of Marseille, whilst taking a little time to treat yourself.

The Old Port

An unmissable neighbourhood in Marseille, situated at the foot of the Canebière, the Old Port embodies the bustling heart of the city. It’s the ideal place to combine sightseeing with a spot of shopping during your stay. Here, you’ll have the chance to explore the famous fish market and numerous souvenir shops. Why not buy a lovely magnet or send a postcard to a loved one? If you’re looking for typical Marseille gifts, these tourist shops usually stock the unmissable Marseille soap and the divine olive oil.

Rue Saint-Ferréol

Nicknamed St Fé, Rue Saint-Ferréol links La Canebière to Place Félix Baret. This pedestrianised street is the place to be for shopaholics and for anyone looking to meet new people. Here you’ll find the most famous fashion brands (Zara, Celio, H&M…), jewellery shops, cosmetics boutiques and much more. It’s not only the city’s best-known shopping street, but also the place where young people meet up every Saturday afternoon.

Rue de Rome

A major shopping street with wide pavements, Rue de Rome is one of the areas known for affordable fashion. Teenagers and young adults love to flock here to unearth that much-coveted second-hand item. Numerous shops offer unbeatable prices on shoes, clothes and accessories for the latest trends. Have you had your fill of shopping? Don’t panic – the tram runs right down the street. A real godsend when your arms are full of bags!

This street, stretching for 1.2 kilometres, is also home to historic establishments such as Le Père Blaize, the famous herbal pharmacy established in 1815, located in a side street running perpendicular to the main street. Although the current owners are no longer part of the family of this learned healer, they continue to kindly share the unique expertise of this true Marseille institution.

The Cours Julien

A hub for artists, hipsters and musicians in Marseille, the Cours Julien – affectionately known as Cours Ju – is home to second-hand clothes shops, second-hand bookshops, artists’ studios and local designers. Its streets, adornedwith colourful street art, exude a sense of tranquillity and friendliness. This unique neighbourhood is also popular for its fresh produce market every Wednesday: fruit and vegetables, cheese, bread, seafood, meat, eggs, plants… Local farmers and producers have signed a charter guaranteeing the freshness and quality of their produce. And if you fancy it, there’s a guided tour of the neighbourhood – do feel free to join in!

Le Panier

In the 2nd arrondissement, Le Panier – regarded by some as Marseille’s Montmartre – is the oldest neighbourhood in the city. Here you can meet various painters, potters, sculptors and craftspeople who will give you a behind-the-scenes look at their workshops. This historic district, now restored, is home to shops run by craftspeople and designers where you can buy traditional santons, pottery, knives, olive wood items, or even typical Provençal specialities such as navettes scented with orange blossom and Marseillotes – sweet treats made from aniseed nougat, almonds, candied orange peel, honey and cocoa. The highly picturesque Le Panier district inspired the producers of the TV series *Plus belle la vie* to create the fictional Mistral neighbourhood.

Rue de la Tour

Located in the Opéra district, Rue de la Tour – renamed Rue de la Mode in 1997 – is the place to go for trendy shopping. With its fashionable boutiques and designer brands, this little street attracts window-shoppers.

Bonus: shopping centres in the heart of Marseille

If you’d rather not wander the streets of Marseille, you can head to one of the city’s three shopping centres, which are brimming with multi-brand retailers. All are situated in the very heart of the city, so you’re sure to find something to suit you, whatever your budget.

The Centre Bourse – situated near the Vieux-Port and the Canebière – brings together a diverse mix of people: local shoppers, tourists and casual visitors from the surrounding area. Around sixty shops are based there (FNAC, Histoire d’Or, Yves Rocher, Action, Jeff de Bruges, Normal, Lidl, etc.). This shopping centre combines shopping with culture, as you can visit theMarseille History Museum.

Les Terrasses du Port shopping centre is undoubtedly the trendiest of the three, thanks to its sea views. With over 170 shops, restaurants and services, it offers a wealth of choice (Apple Store, Darty, Decathlon, Kiko Milano, L’Occitane en Provence, Lacoste, Lego, Superdry…). Whether you’re peckish or ravenous, there’s something to suit every taste (Starbucks, Pitaya, Bchef…). After a spot of shopping, relax by the water on one of the many benches provided outside the shopping centre.

Housed in former commercial warehouses, Les Docks Village is a must-visit for pedestrians heading from Le Panier to Boulevard du Littoral and the J4 car park, which has 750 spaces. A true hub for socialising and relaxation with stunning sea views, this shopping centre – situated between museums and the business district – brings together a wide range of shops and restaurants (L’Espérantine, Patagonia, Maison Yellow, etc.).