10 Best Markets in Marseille
Where to Go Shopping like a Local in Marseille?
The best markets in Marseille offer plenty of places to fill your basket in the capital of scenic Provence. You can choose from outdoor food markets selling Provençal flavors and fresh Mediterranean fish, craft markets with handmade pottery and famous local soap, or stunning flower markets to buy a bouquet for those you love.
In cosmopolitan Marseille, you’ll find just about anything, from organic vegetables and smelly French cheeses from small local producers, to oriental spices and African specialties, and any style of furniture from antique traders. Exploring the stalls of Marseille’s markets is one of the most natural ways to discover the city and embrace its local culture. Check out the options for the most interesting markets in Marseille.
10 Best Markets in Marseille
- Fish Market (Marché aux Poissons)
- Prado Market (Le Marché du Prado)
- Cours Julien Farmers’ Market
- The Market at Noailles (Le Marché de Noailles)
- Flea Market (Le Marché aux Puces Cap Pinède)
- Marché de la Plaine
- Second-Hand Book Market (Le Marché des Bouquinistes de la Canebière)
- Flower Market in the Old Port (Le Marché aux fleurs du Vieux Port)
- Food Market in La Friche de la Belle de Mai
- Garlic fair (La foire à l’ail)
1. Fish Market (Marché aux Poissons)
Filled with traditional vibes
Good for: Shoppers, Food, History
The Fish Market (Marché aux Poissons) is a famous landmark. It’s also one of the best markets in Marseille, existing since the early 20th century. Located in the picturesque Old Port, it’s a great place to buy fresh fish or seafood, such as Mediterranean sea bass, red mullet, sardines, and sea urchins. All are available at relatively attractive prices compared to grocery stores and come with a fishermen’s smile and cooking advice.
The market traditionally takes place every morning. Even if you don’t plan to buy fish, you’ll find this place interesting. Experience the authentic culture, listen to the sing-song Marseille accent, and chat with locals. Read more
Location: 2 Quai du Port, 13002 Marseille, France
Open: Daily from 8 am to 1.30 pm
Fish Market (Marché aux Poissons)
2. Prado Market (Marché du Prado)
One of the biggest French street markets
Good for: Shoppers, Food, Budget
Le Marché du Prado (Prado market) is a noisy city market. Locals often choose to fill their baskets here. You’ll find everything here from food to clothes, shoes, fashion accessories, toys, books, and household items. Stretching along the avenue of Prado between Place Castellane and Périer, this is one of the biggest markets in France and easily one of the best markets in Marseille.
You’ll find it more comfortable to visit the market early in the morning because it gets crowded quickly. After discovering this urban open-air market, continue your city visit by walking 30 minutes toward the beautiful Borély Park and Marseille’s beaches. Read more
Location: Av. du Prado, 13006 Marseille, France
Open: Monday–Saturday from 7.30 am to 1 pm (closed on Sundays)
Prado Market (Marché du Prado)
3. Cours Julien Farmers’ Market (Marché paysan du Cours Julien)
A local organic market in a street-art district
Good for: Shoppers, Photo, Food
The Cours Julien is one of the emblematic places of Marseille. It hosts a pleasant organic market every Wednesday. This is an excellent spot to meet local producers engaged in sustainable agriculture. You’ll be pleased to taste delicious fruits, vegetables, bread, and honey, but also artisanal products such as fresh pasta, sauces, or jellies. The prices are pretty good, though not the cheapest in town.
Another interesting feature of Cours Julien is the fact that it’s the largest district devoted to street art in France. Discover remarkable colorful hand-painted façades in this bohemian district.
Location: Cr Julien, 13006 Marseille, France
Open: Wednesday from 8 am to 1 pm (closed Thursday–Tuesday)
Cours Julien Farmers’ Market (Marché paysan du Cours Julien)
4. The Market at Noailles (Marché Noailles)
Exotic African and Asian specialties
Good for: Shoppers, Food, Budget
The Market at Noailles (Marché Noailles) is a great place to uncover Marseille’s real wealth. It hosts an incredible mix of European, Asian, and African cultures. Also locally known as Marché des Capucins, this noisy market sells every possible ingredient you could need as well as household items. This market is located in a working-class part of the city center. It’s renowned for its particularly attractive prices, among other things.
The Market at Noailles is a great place for satisfying your taste buds with delicious Provençal and African specialties. Discover fresh Asian and African herbs and spices, which are uncommon in Northern cuisines.
Location: Pl. du Marché des Capucins, 13001 Marseille, France
Open: Monday–Saturday from 8 am to 7 pm (closed on Sundays)
The Market at Noailles (Marché Noailles)
5. Flea Market (Le Marché aux Puces Cap Pinède)
One of the biggest flea markets in southern France
Good for: Shoppers, Budget
The Flea Market (Le Marché aux Puces Cap Pinède) is a huge market stretching over almost 10 acres to the north of Marseille. You’ll find a covered shopping mall here, with a multitude of small shops selling just about any category of items from antique furniture to books, textile, art, home decorations, kitchen goods, hardware, automobiles, and so on. There’s also an outdoor market with relatively cheap fruits and vegetables.
This flea market is one of the biggest and best known in southern France. Visit the market via buses 35, 36, or 70 from the city center or by taking a metro to Bougainville station.
Location: 136 Chem. de la Madrague-Ville, 13015 Marseille, France
Open: Covered market: Tuesday–Sunday from 7.30 am to 7.30 pm (closed on Mondays). Open market: Saturday–Sunday from 7.30 am to 2 pm (closed Monday–Friday)
Phone: +33 (0)8 93 02 55 56
Flea Market (Le Marché aux Puces Cap Pinède)
6. Marché de la Plaine
A historic market with a host of wares to browse
Good for: Families, Food, Shoppers
Marché de la Plaine is a large, historic market that takes up the fairground in Place Jean Jaures. One of the most celebrated markets in Marseille, there are over 230 different stalls to stroll past and choose items from.
Discover local crafts, textiles, fresh produce, and an assortment of other items as you engage in your own personal treasure hunt. There’s also a flower market in the area on Wednesdays, turning the fairground into a rainbow of colour. Find great souvenirs, or just a fun shopping experience, at this charming Marseille market. Read more
Location: Pl. Jean Jaurès, 13001 Marseille, France
Open: Tuesday–Thursday and Saturday from 7.30 am to 1 pm (closed on Fridays and Sunday–Monday)
Marché de la Plaine
7. Second-Hand Book Market
Where to expand your collection of vintage books
Good for: Shoppers, Couples, History
The Second-Hand Book Market (Le Marché des Bouquinistes de la Canebière) in Marseille is an interesting place for avid collectors. Especially if you’re looking for French and international vintage and used books. Existing for more than 4 decades, this small and cozy market is located at the top of La Canebière, which is a historic main street in the old district of Marseille.
At this market, you’ll find many kinds of old collectors’ and recent books. Browse through famous French bandes dessinées (comics), magazines, and also CDs, videos, vinyl, and audio cassettes, too. Read more
Location: Square Leon Blum, 13001 Marseille, France
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm (closed on Sundays)
Second-Hand Book Market
8. Flower Market in the Old Port (Le Marché aux fleurs du Vieux Port)
Seasonal flowers from local producers
Good for: Shoppers, Photo
The Flower Market (Le Marché aux fleurs du Vieux Port) in the Old Port is the highlight of the Marseille flower markets. They all transform certain streets into flourishing gardens, but this is the only market where colorful flowers reflect in the blue waters and where the fragrances of roses mix with the salt of the sea.
Don’t forget that Provence is well known for its gorgeous flowers, which thrive throughout the year. Visiting the Flower Market in Marseille is a great way to enjoy blooms and green plants from local producers and other regions of the world. Depending on the season, enjoy the scent of mimosa, lavender, iris, tamarisk, carnations, jasmines, lilies, and many types of amazing roses.
Location: Quai du Port, 13001 Marseille, France
Open: Tuesday and Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm (closed on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesday–Friday)
Flower Market in the Old Port (Le Marché aux fleurs du Vieux Port)
9. Food Market in La Friche de la Belle de Mai
Regional products in a trendy arts center
Good for: Shoppers, Food
La Friche de la Belle de Mai hosts a lovely farmers’ market in Marseille. Every Monday regional producers bring fresh fruits and vegetables, tasty bread, a range of French cheese, eggs, honey, and wine. A lot of products are organic and come from mountain locations.
The market is located in an avant-garde place called La Fiche de la Belle de Mai. It used to be a tobacco factory near the Saint-Charles station but has been converted into a cultural and arts complex with plenty of exhibitions to discover. During summer musical and arts events, climb up to the rooftop to enjoy an extraordinary panorama of Marseille.
Location: 41 Rue Jobin, 13003 Marseille, France
Open: Winter: Monday from 4 pm to 7 pm. Summer: Monday from 5 pm to 8 pm (closed Tuesday–Sunday)
Food Market in La Friche de la Belle de Mai
10. Garlic fair (La Foire à l’Ail)
Finding the tastiest Provençal garlic
Good for: Shoppers, Food, Unusual
The Garlic Fair (La Foire à l’Ail) is Marseille’s oldest market as the tradition of selling garlic goes back to the 15th century. You’ll find white, pink, and red garlic of all sizes and strengths at the market, hanging on long strings under the hot sun of Marseille.
The month-long fair takes place in early summer in Cours Belsunce, just 10 minutes’ walk from the Old Port. Another popular ware of this fair is the taraïettes (small pieces of glazed clay pottery). They represent miniature household utensils with which children play, as well as small pitchers that, when filled with water, sound like the singing of the nightingale. Buy some as a souvenir or a gift.
Location: Cours Belsunce, 13001 Marseille, France
Open: June/July, dates vary by year
Garlic fair (La Foire à l'Ail)
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