Shopping in Marseille

The main shopping streets (the rue Paradis, rue Saint Ferreol and rue de Rome) run off the Canebière, just to the north of the Office du Tourisme. The Center Bourse, just behind the Old Port, has a shopping mall above the underground car park.

There are several markets in Marseille. One not to miss is the fish market (daily 0730-1230) on the quai des Belges, on the Vieux Port, a real spectacle as local fishermen compete with one another to sell their catches to passers-by. For something completely different, try ‘les Puces’ (the flea market), a cross between a north African bazaar and a car boot sale (and a few antiques thrown in for good measure), one of the liveliest places to find yourself on Saturday or Sunday morning. 130 chemin de la Madrague Ville, 15e , Tues-Sat 0800-1200 and 1400-1800, Sun 0830-1300.

Popular items to bring back home include soap (the famous ’savon de Marseille’); santons, or carved wooden or clay crèche figurines (in December, you will be able to buy some at the marche aux santons on the Canebiere. Otherwise, the Ateliers Marcel Carbonel, 47 rue Neuve-Ste-Catherine, 7e, offers the widest choice in town); Pastis (Marseille’s tipple, famous the world over); garlic (a key ingredient in Provencal cooking) and Provencal fabric and pottery. Last but not least some navettes, delicious orange-zest flavored biscuits whose shape is supposed to represent the small boats on which ‘les Saintes’ came over to the Provence coast. The only place to buy them is at Le Four des Navettes, 136 rue Sainte, 7e.

Shops are open 0800-1200 and 1400-1900, although some remain open at lunchtime. Most shops are closed on Sunday. VAT stands at 17.5%.