Bonneveine district

A little history

Bonneveine has nothing to do with easy luck. Rather, the origin of the name is linked to the presence of a vast marsh formed by the river Huveaune, whose generous watering encouraged the fertilisation of oats, ‘Bona Avena’, ‘good oats’. It was this cereal that gave the area its name. Bonneveine was once an agricultural village far from Marseille, where farmers specialised in dairy farming in an area of meadows.

In 1972, a major development operation (Zone d’Aménagement Concerté, ZAC de Bonneveine) authorised the construction of several hundred homes, amenities and, above all, an office and shopping centre. Not to mention a shopping arcade grafted onto a hypermarket.

In 2008, the last market gardener, whose land was located at 41 avenue André Zenatti, disappeared. To make way for a vast housing estate called ‘le domaine du Large’.

Today, the Bonneveine district is a major focal point for the whole of the south of the city.

What to do in Bonneveine?

Bonneveine has 540 metres of sandy beach. Plage de Bonneveine has all the facilities you need during summer: showers, toilets, lockers, a first-aid post and snack bars. The beach is ideal for families with young children. Supervised swimming is available from June to August inclusive. Kitesurfing is available for thrill-seekers.

Plage de l’Escale Borély is another of Bonneveine’s must-see spots. The beach is home to the Bowl de Marseille, where skateboards, BMX bikes and rollerblades are all allowed to enjoy sessions on the water. National competitions are even held here every year. L’Escale Borély also hosts a variety of music groups for free concerts, especially during the summer months.

The main attraction in the Bonneveine district is Parc Borély. Spread over more than 17 hectares, Parc Borély is home to large green spaces, children’s play areas, a mini football pitch, an open-air theatre, a restaurant-bar, a petanque area and even a swimming pool. The park is open to the public, making it ideal for picnics in the heart of nature. Near the park, you’ll find Marseille’s famous ‘Pouce’, a sculpture of a thumb created by the Marseille sculptor César Baldaccini, known as César.

Of course, if you’re passing through this prime location, you must visit the famous Château Borély, home to the Musée d’Archéologie and the Musée des Arts décoratifs, de la Faïence et de la Mode. Numerous exhibitions are held here throughout the year. Not far from Parc Borély, you’ll find the six emblematic Prado beaches, offering green spaces that are easy to get to.

You can also explore the city’s botanical gardens. More than 3,000 species of plant live together in this 1.2 hectare site. Discover varieties of plants from all over the world in nine themed areas, including the Japanese garden, the Mediterranean garden and the South African greenhouse. The garden is also home to Marseille’s very first large insect hotel.

When you’re in Bonneveine, we recommend a walk along the Huveaune river. Enjoy a picturesque setting with plenty of nature to discover.

The Bonneveine district also has its own shopping centre, a cinema and typical southern French bars and restaurants.

Top 10 things to do in Bonneveine

1/ Take an early morning dip in the sea for a cool, calm swim before the crowds of bathers arrive.
2/ Embark on a trip to Japan simply by walking through the gates of the botanical gardens, nestling in the heart of Parc Borély (free admission, but booking required!)
3/ Climb aboard the Ferris wheel, which will have your head spinning 60 metres above the ground.
4/ Try your hand at sports betting by following a horse race at the Borély racecourse.
5/ Discover what was once the summer residence of the Borély family and visit the eponymous château, which houses the sumptuous Museum of Decorative Arts, Earthenware and Fashion.
6/ Learn about contemporary art and explore the completely renovated [mac], which reopened in April 2023.
7/ Take your children with their skateboards, scooters or bmx bikes to do tricks at the Prado bowl, a benchmark municipal facility for riders from all over the world.
8/ Walk or cycle along the green corridor that runs through the Bonneveine district, linking the Saint-Giniez district with the entrance to the Mazargues district.
9/ Watch petanque players in the shade of the plane and pine trees in the central Bonneveine park.
10/ Between mid-May and mid-October, teach your children about the coast and the marine environment at Le Hublot, which hosts exhibitions and offers activities suitable for children aged 5 and over.