2nd arrondissement of Marseille, Administrative district in central Marseille, France.
The 2nd arrondissement of Marseille comprises four distinct neighborhoods: Arenc, Hôtel-de-Ville, Les Grands Carmes, and La Joliette. These areas line the Mediterranean shore and form the core of the city's working harbor and commercial activity.
This administrative division was created in 1946 as part of a restructuring that reorganized Marseille after World War II. The change reflected efforts to modernize how the city managed its expanding urban areas.
The district maintains strong ties to maritime life and port activity that shape daily experience for residents and visitors alike. These connections appear in how people move through the neighborhoods and the role the waterfront plays in local identity.
The area is well connected by public transportation including metro lines, trams, and buses that link easily to other parts of the city. You can walk through the neighborhoods without difficulty since they are relatively compact and clearly laid out.
La Joliette shows a striking example of urban renewal where old port facilities were transformed into modern office and residential buildings. This development has given the area an entirely new character that draws visitors curious about contemporary design and planning.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.