La Joliette in Marseille

What are the highlights of La Joliette?

Built in 1893, Cathedral La Major towers over La Joliette. It’s the heart of the religious community in Marseille and can seat about 3,000 worshippers. Whether you’re religious or not, it’s a great place to learn about the city’s history. It’s open for visitors from Wednesday to Saturday.

Next to this building, you’ll find a chapel. It holds the relics of the man whom Jesus raised from the dead – St. Lazarus. According to legend, he became the first bishop of the city.

Another must-visit attraction in this lively neighbourhood is Musee des Civilizations de l’Europe et de la Mediterranee (MuCEM). The exhibitions you’ll find in the national museum not only recount but also shed light on the foundation of the ancient civilizations in the Mediterranean. It has 3 sites – one each in the Old Port, J4 Building, and Fort Saint-Jean.

If you visit the Docks des Suds, you’ll see a variety of art installations around the former maritime port. You’ll find more artworks at Fonds Regional d’Art Contemporain.

Where to eat and drink in La Joliette?

Located in Marseille’s waterfront, the La Joliette neighbourhood is one of the hippest places in town. For shopping, you can go to Les Terrasses du Port, which has a vast selection of popular local and international fashion brands.

Even within this little neighbourhood, you won’t have trouble finding a place to grab a quick bite. There are several restaurants in the area, offering diverse cuisines. You’ll find everything from Nordic fast food and Japanese sushi to Palestinian Maqluba portside.

If you’re in the area, don’t miss out on the fresh seafood. There’s no better place to get it. The restaurants here always get fresh fish straight from the market. You can head to Marseille’s Vieux Port if you’re feeling a bit adventurous. The streets are lined with a bunch of cafes and restaurants that serve fresh fish and other kinds of seafood from Marche de la Joliette.

How to get around La Joliette?

La Joliette is situated north of the Old Port, within walking distance of it and other attractions in Marseille. You can drive around the city relatively easily, with metered parking spaces available in the area.

If you’re coming from the airport, you can reach La Joliette in an hour by bus. From the main train station of Marseille, the neighbourhood is just a 15- or 20-minute walk away. If you take a bus, you can reach it in 10 minutes.

Aside from adventures around Marseille, La Joliette is a great starting point for trips beyond the city. You can, for instance, take a ferry from the port to Corsica or Morocco.