La Canebière

La Canebière is the main street running about 1 kilometer from the Old Port to the Réformés quarter, serving as Marseille's central thoroughfare. The street features shops, restaurants, and pedestrian passages connecting various parts of the city.

Construction of the street began in 1671 under King Louis XIV as part of a major expansion of Marseille toward the harbor. It represented the shift from the old port district to a modern, planned urban layout.

The name comes from the Provençal word for hemp, recalling when rope-makers worked in this area. Today the street hosts shops, cafés, and people from many backgrounds who give it its daily character.

The street is easily walkable and has several bus stops, with metro stations at Noailles and Vieux-Port nearby. The terrain is flat and good for strolling, with many spots to rest and observe the activity around you.

King Alexander I of Yugoslavia was assassinated on this street in 1934, an event that led to increased security measures in the area. This moment connects the place to a significant moment in European history.

Location: 1st arrondissement of Marseille

Inception: 1671

Part of: Belsunce, Le Chapitre, Opéra, Noailles, Thiers, Marseille road network

Shares border with: passage de l'Égalité, cours Franklin Roosevelt, Square Stalingrad (Marseille), rue Adolphe-Thiers, Allée Léon-Gambetta, boulevard de la Libération - Général-de-Monsabert, Rue Vincent-Scotto, rue Longue-des-Capucins, rue des Recolettes, rue Papere, rue des Feuillants, Quai des Belges, rue Beauvau, Rue Reine-Élisabeth-von-Wittelbach, place du Général-de-Gaulle, rue Albert-Ier, rue Saint-Ferréol, cours Belsunce, rue du Théâtre Français, rue Sénac-de-Meilhan, rue Curiol, boulevard Garibaldi, boulevard Dugommier

Address: La Canebière, 13001 Marseille, France

GPS coordinates: 43.29667,5.37861

Latest update: December 19, 2025 22:01