Cours Julien: Marseille’s hip and artsy neighborhood

If you are planning a trip to Marseille, and wondering what there after visiting the Vieux Port and Notre Dame de la Garde, you will want to head over to Cours Julien. This lively square is where all the hip and happening Marseillais hang out.

Located about a 10-minute walk from the Vieux Port, this used to be a bad neighborhood, and still has the graffiti to show for it. These days however, this is considered street art with an edge, with Cours Julien attracting everyone from the young 20-something crowd to 40-somethings with children in strollers, sipping a beer in the sun. (The parents, not the kids!)

With quirky little shops and eclectic bars and restaurants, this is where the cool kids hang out. This vibrant square is always buzzing with activity, whether it’s tourists browsing the unique shops or locals getting a tattoo.

There is a main square which has a lot of bars and restaurants, but do explore the side streets such as well which have plenty small restaurants with everything from local provençale offerings to asian takeout.

You can also visit Espace Julien for live music nearly everyday. Tickets can be purchased online, or at the door, depending on the event’s popularity.

Bars and Restaurants

The area around Cours Julien is brimming with plenty of wonderful bars and restaurants, serving everything from Spanish tapas to Brazilian takeaway. Try a pastis, the local beverage of choice for the Marseillais and much on some panisse for apéro hour before heading out to dinner.

Along with Indian and Thai, there are plenty of restaurants serving traditional dishes like bouillabaisse or ravioli in pistou. You can read more about foods from provence here.

Plan on walking around at 15-20 minutes before making your choice. There are several restaurants on the small pedestrianized streets around Cours Julien such as Rue Crudère, Rue Pastoret, Rue, Bussy l’Indien, 3 Frères Barthélémy, and Rue des Trois Rois.

Nightlife

There are a handful of clubs and dance bars around Cours Julien including:

• Baby Club – Electro music – 2 Rue André Poggioli, 13006 Marseille
• Le Mélo – Restaurant with dancing – 68 Cr Julien, 13006 Marseille
• La Fiesta Marseille – 6a Rue Crudère, 13006 Marseille

Where to stay: Hotels nearby

There are a couple of small hotels in and around Cours Julien but the most popular one has to be the Mama Shelter:

• €€€ – Ibis Marseille Prefecture – next to Cours Julien
• €€€€ – Mama Shelter – about 5 minute walk away