Top Rated Shopping in Marseille

One of the city's oldest districts, the Panier (literally translated meaning "basket") is where the ancient Phocaeans first settled and founded the city of Massilia. Using the 18th-century Hôtel-Dieu and Notre Dame des Accoules church bell tower (17th-19th century) as reference points, these lead to the foot of Montée des Accoules - a series of steep flights of steps typical of old Marseilles - which lead right to the heart of the district and pedestrians' paradise. Once home to the ancient city's Greek agora (a public open space used for assemblies and markets), Place de Lenche still bustles with life and has its own market, restaurants and theater. At the summit of the old town is Place des Moulins, which in the 16th Century lived up to its name with no less than fifteen flour mills. These days its fountain and school help maintain its village square's tranquility and charm.

This is one of the most peaceful markets in Marseille; no hustling or bustling while trying to make your way around all the different vendors! At the entrance, near Castellane, you will see the fruit and vegetable stalls and further down, there is a fairground. This market is open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8a to 10p. On Fridays, there is also a flower market.

At the heart of the commercial center of "la Valentine" on the outskirts of Marseille, this large shop attracts a certain kind of clientele with its famous, top quality goods. In this Printemps store, you can find all kinds of beautiful things here such as collections from Cacharel to Rene Derhy. There are also dedicated sections to purchase silverware and chinaware. Overall, Printemps is a shop that combines real style with substance.

At the heart of the city center, Centre Bourse spans a multitude of shops that promise absolute retail therapy. It attracts all sorts of people as it has everything from designer stores to small-scale boutiques to hobby and art stores and a lot more. There are of course places to sit, eat or to rest between shops. The regular sales and discount offers running across the mall add to the overall shopping experience. Centre Bourse also has a parking lot that is open 7 days a week.

Everyone knows that you can get anything at FNAC. Take, for example, the book selection: books for kids, foreign literature, comic books, humor, economics, and ethnology. It's perfectly laid out, with a defined area for each category. If you're not much for books, you can check out the movie section, and there is also a place to buy tickets for upcoming events. It's possible to spend hours here, browsing or buying, because prices at FNAC are very reasonable. And in case you change your mind, it's incredibly easy to do an exchange. There's really no need to hesitate.

A massive and newly built center in the Northern district of Marseille, (the view is brilliant!) Grand Littoral attracts all kinds of people, near and far. It has more than 200 shops on only two floors and also the largest "Continent" hypermarket in Europe. Wander around the alleys as you are enchanted by all that's on offer here. If you get lost, follow the maps and signposts of this shopping city. The entire center is open from Mondays to Saturdays, with varying hours within each department.