Marseille city centre is crossed by "La Canebière" – the world-famous thoroughfare running from the Vieux-Port (Old Port) to Palais Longchamp —, bordered by Gare Saint Charles railway station and Cours Belsunce on one side and the Noailles quarter on the other.

The centre forms a junction between the various quarters of the city. It is made up of narrow streets framed by wide avenues (La Canebière to the South, Cours Belsunce to the West heading towards Porte d’Aix, Boulevard d'Athènes leading to the railway station and Boulevard Dugommier to the East, and Boulevard Charles Nédelec to the North). Now a popular area, the city centre was originally a Baroque quarter and still harbours a valuable heritage. At the time, it was inhabited by the local Bourgeoisie, who occupied small buildings overlooking gardens. But it evolved from the 17th century onwards, with the progressive departure of the Bourgeoisie to the city's brand new quarters, such as Le Prado, and the arrival of various transiting immigrant populations.

The new and the exotic flavour they lent the city fed Marseille's current image as a cosmopolitan hub – you can get a taste of this typical atmosphere at the "Marché des Capucins" market in the Noailles quarter.

This quarter harbours a rich heritage and several not-to-be-missed museums:

"Musée de la Mode" (fashion museum) on La Canebière
"Musée d'Histoire" (history museum) at the Centre Bourse
the new "Bibliothèque Municipale à Vocation Régionale (BMVR)" (municipal library), "Alcazar" exhibition space
"Les Variétés" cinema
"La Marseillaise" museum in Rue Thubaneau
the "Palais de la Bourse", home to the Chamber of Commerce and "Musée de la Marine et de l'Économie" (maritime and economy museum)

www.visitprovence.com/en/city/marseille

Marseille

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