Le Panier, Historic neighborhood in Marseille, France.
Le Panier is a hillside neighborhood in Marseille with narrow winding streets, stone buildings, and numerous staircases that link different levels. Houses cluster together on the slopes, forming an interconnected web of passages and small squares.
The neighborhood began as Marseille's original settlement and was rebuilt after suffering damage during World War II. This postwar reconstruction shaped much of what visitors see today.
The neighborhood developed as a working-class community where fishing families and laborers built close-knit networks in tight quarters. These roots remain visible in how residents interact with their narrow streets and shared public spaces today.
The neighborhood is best explored on foot since staircases and narrow passages make vehicle access difficult. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for navigating the different levels and slopes.
The area is known for its wall murals that transform building facades into artworks, giving the neighborhood a colorful visual character. These art installations are scattered throughout and maintained by local and international artists.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.