France · Walking Tours

Course julien world's coolest district & Noailles Exotic market

2 Hours Round trip from Marseille Easy pace

"Cours julien le coolest district in the world" timesout magazine

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Discover the exotic market district of Noailles in central Marseille
02 Visit colourful market streets and oriental spice shops
03 Learn the story behind the world’s most famous national anthem
04 Hear about local struggles against gentrification and poor housing
05 Explore Cours Julien, known for street art and indie creativity
06 Walk with a local guide living in the neighbourhood
07 See long-standing shops that have operated in the same place for 200 years

Explore two of Marseille’s most characterful neighbourhoods on this guided walking tour through Noailles and Cours Julien. In Noailles, wander through a lively market district filled with colour, spice shops, long-standing local businesses, and stories that connect the area to Marseille’s history and identity.

You’ll also gain insight into the social realities of the neighbourhood, including the struggles of local residents against gentrification and poor housing conditions. Then continue to Cours Julien, a creative quarter known for its street art, independent spirit, and artisan atmosphere, all with a local guide living in the area.

Discover the origin of the world's most famous national anthem, know where the first cinema in history was located, visit 200-year-old stores that work in the same place and enter the colourful and lively market and its oriental spice shops.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Hours

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Not included

Wheelchair access No

City Marseille

Languages English, French, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Noailles

We invite you to discover the exotic district of Noailles and its market located in the heart of Marseille. Discover the origin of the world's most famous national anthem, know where the first cinema in history was located, visit 200-year-old stores that work in the same place and enter the colourful and lively market and its oriental spice shops. It will also include the drama and struggle of the inhabitants of the district against gentrification, substandard housing and the fear of being evicted from their homes. All accompanied by a young anthropologist guide living in the area.

Cours Julien

Handcraft creators neighborhood

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Marseille 1 city · 2 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Super guide

What's Not Included

Bottled water

Know before you go

Not wheelchair accessible
Not stroller accessible
Not suitable for pets
No public transportation nearby
Infants must not sit on laps
Infant seats unavailable
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Talk to the guide with a cap in the meeting place!
I agree to authorize the publication of photos in which I appear and participate in this tour supplier's activities in order to promote sustainable tourism on various social media

Logistics