The fish market is the most famous of Marseille’s markets. It began in 1909 in the old port and hasn’t moved since. It takes place every morning of the year, but get there early to be sure to find the fish you want.
Opening hours: daily, 8am to 1pm
Marché au Poisson, Le Vieux Port, Marseille, France
The fish market in Marseille is open every day of the year | © Grego1402/Flickr
This is where the locals shop and it’s reflected in the cheaper prices. Place Jean Jaurès is known to the locals as la plaine (literally “the plain”), because it’s the flat part in an otherwise hilly area.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 7:30 am to 1:30 pm
Marché Place Jean Jaurès, Place Jean Jaurès, Marseille, France
This is another locals market that takes up one entire side of the large Avenue du Prado (from Castellane metro station onward). It sells everything from food to clothes to household items. It can get busy, so turn up early.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 7:30am to 1:30pm
The market in the centre of Marseille is one of the noisiest and messiest but also one of the most interesting. Don’t be intimidated by the hustle and bustle – get stuck in it. It sells everything from food to household items, but it’s noteworthy because you can find lots of fresh herbs and spices here, some that are uncommon to Northern European or American cuisines.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 8am to 7pm
Marché Capucins, Metro Noailles, Marseille, France
The markets in Marseille are a great place to food shop in a more unusual way | © Montecruz Foto/Flickr
The Cours Julien is an eclectic and interesting place to hang out, and the market is a favourite with people who like to look at the street art and window-shop at the quirky independent stores.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 8am to 1pm.
Marché Cours Julien, Cours Julien, Marseille, France
For over 20 years there has been a flea market here. There’s a covered market selling antiques and bric-a-brac, as well as outdoor fruit and vegetable stalls.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8:30am to 7:30pm.
You can find some great bargains at the antiques market in Marseille | © Panoramas/Flickr