La Canebiere

The basics

Modeled on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, La Canabière is the heart of Marseille’s downtown. Lined with shops, cafés, and restaurants, the thoroughfare links the old port (le vieux port) with the square Stalingrad. As you walk along the street, you’ll pass through the historic Noailles district of the city, with its bustling market and spice stores that reflect Marseille’s long history as a trading post with the rest of the world, and street art that reflects the area's contemporary culture.

On the other side of the street you’ll find many of the big-name stores at the Centre Bourse and beyond it the Jardin des Vestiges, which contains remnants of the ancient Greek colony of Massalia, dating back over 2,000 years. Whether you explore with an audio guide, as part of a tour, or alone, La Canabière offers the opportunity to get a feel for the real Marseille.

Things to know before you go

• La Canabière is wheelchair accessible.
• The street is famous as the place where Alexander I, King of Yugoslavia, was assassinated in 1934.
• The name Canabière reflects the city's thriving trade in nautical rope during the Middle Ages. The word comes from the Latin word for cannabis, or hemp, which was used to make the ropes.

How to get there

La Canabière is in the center of downtown Marseille, and best explored on foot. There are three metro stations along the street: Vieux-Port-Hôtel de Ville, Noailles, and Réformés-Canabière.

When to get there

The shops and restaurants along La Canabière are open every day. The market in Noailles (marché de Noailles) is open Monday to Saturday from morning to evening. The annual Foire des Santons festive market is held along the boulevard from mid-November to January, selling hand-painted terracotta figurines.

Stroll the Jardin du Pharo

With great views over the Mediterranean and a charming restaurant to boot, the Jardin du Pharo is a great place for a breath of fresh air while sightseeing in Marseille. Here you’ll find the 19th-century Palais du Pharo, commissioned by Napoleon III and later used as the city’s medical school before being transformed into an events venue and conference center.