The Vieille Chapelle district

Head for Marseille’s 8th arrondissement, in the Vieille Chapelle district. Chic and residential, this charming district is bordered to the west by the Pointe Rouge and Escale Borely beaches. It is close to many tourist attractions, including Parc Borély, the Hippodrome Marseille Borély and the Musée d’art Contemporain [MAC] de la Ville de Marseille. Its restaurants, cafés and local shops add to the friendly atmosphere in the neighbourhood.

The history of the Vieille Chapelle district

The district takes its name from an ancient chapel dedicated to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, seized during the French Revolution and completely destroyed in 1863.

Vieille Chapelle has long been home tovast estates, such as the Gras (known as Grasset) estate on the Parangon crossroads. A tiny fishing port flanked by sheds was located at the pointe des Calanquais.

The development of Vieille Chapelle really began at the end of the 19th century, when the district became a holiday and leisure destination for the people of Marseille. People flocked to taste the famous bouillabaisse prepared by Monsieur Vinaigre, a truculent restaurateur, and the composer Vincent Scotto came here in search of inspiration.

The district underwent a revival at the end of the 20th century, with thedevelopment of the seafront and the creation of several beaches. Today, the Vieille Chapelle district has a diverse face, with narrow streets and historic buildings, as well as more modern constructions.

A residential and tourist district

In the south of Marseille, Vieille Chapelle is home to a well-off population. Single-family homes and residences on a human scale make up the bulk of the urban fabric. Restaurants, cafés and local shops contribute to the life of the district, providing residents with a warm, friendly atmosphere.

The beaches are one of the district’s main tourist attractions. You can go to the Plage de la Pointe Rouge, or choose the beaches and vast lawns of theEscale Borély. You can swim, bask in the sun or take part in a variety of water sports.

The Jardin des Glisses skate park, affectionately known as the Bowl, awaits you on the coast north of the Vieille Chapelle district. This spot has an international reputation, and hosts major competitions such as the Pro Bowl Contest, one of the stages of the Acrobatic Rollerblading World Cup.

To the north of the Vieille Chapelle district, the Musée d’Art Contemporain [MAC] houses works of art created between the second half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st. The museum’s garden is home to a number of sculptures and installations.

Parc Borély can be reached from the north. Located around 1.5 kilometres north of the Vieille Chapelle district, in the Bonneveine neighbourhood, this large public garden is home to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, de la Faïence et de la Mode and the Marseille Borély racecourse. Its vast lawns, shady paths and artificial lake make it a popular place to relax.

To the south of Vieille Chapelle, in the Pointe-Rouge district, the Campagne Pastré is a vast park set against the hills of Marseilleveyre. Covering more than 112 hectares, it is home to a magnificent 19th-century country house.

At both La Pointe Rouge and L’Escale Borély, a number of cafés and restaurants welcome you for an ice cream, refreshment, aperitif, lunch or dinner with a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean Sea. You can also look for an establishment in an alleyway or street further away from the coast.

The Vieille Chapelle district by public transport

Several bus routes link Vieille Chapelle to the other districts of Marseille:

Lines 19 and 19B: stops Tiboulen, Vieille Chapelle ;
Route 44: Bonneveine, Lapin Blanc, Zénatti Lancier, Musso Roy d’Espagne, Floralia Chiapale stops;
Route 45: CC Bonneveine, Hambourg Lancier, Lycée Hôtelier, Zénatti Malrieu, Zénatti Écoles, Lapin Blanc, Parangon Neptune, Lycée Poinso Chapuis stops.

Connections with the metro make it easy to get around Marseille. Bus routes 19, 19B, 44 and 45 run to Rond Point du Prado station (metro M2).

There are several electric bike hire stations in Vieille Chapelle and neighbouring districts. You can easily hire a self-service bike for your journeys.