The prefecture district

Just a stone’s throw from Marseille’s Vieux Port is the Préfecture district. Located in Marseille’s 6th arrondissement, it owes its name to the Préfecture des Bouches-du-Rhône, a building of majestic architecture. This economic and political centre at the heart of the city is home to the Saint-Ferréol shopping street and the quartier des Antiquaires (antiques district). The Préfecture is a pleasant district, close to the Vieux Port and the liveliest and most popular tourist areas.

An old part of Marseille

The Préfecture district is part of the fortified walls built by Louis XIV in the second half of the 17th century, both to assert his authority and to protect the city from invasion. It enjoyed sustained growth throughout the 18th century.

Construction of the Préfecture des Bouches-du-Rhône , an imposing neoclassical building, began in 1862. The building is set off by a large tree-lined esplanade, the Place Félix Baret. The power of the State is showcased in a building of imposing architecture, whose prestige is felt throughout the district.

La Préfecture is a lively central district of Marseille, with many shops, restaurants and cafés. A true symbol of Marseille’s administrative and urban history, the district has evolved over time to adapt to the needs of the city and its residents, while retaining its historic character that makes it so unique. The Cours Pierre Puget, a wide tree-lined avenue, provides a pleasant walk linking the Préfecture district to the Saint-Victor district. Bourgeois buildings built in the 19th century underline the economic prosperity of Marseille, France’s leading port on the Mediterranean.

A dynamic tourist district

The Préfecture district is home to many tourist attractions. The Musée Cantini, a museum of contemporary art, owes its name to a wealthy Marseilles businessman and benefactor of his city. The Musée Cantini’s collection focuses mainly on twentieth-century art, with an emphasis on modern and contemporary art. You can admire works by great artists such as Pablo Picasso, Alberto Giacometti, Raoul Dufy, Auguste Rodin, Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst and many others. The museum regularly organises temporary exhibitions that shed light on different periods and artistic movements, as well as on emerging contemporary artists. It also strives to promote local and regional art, highlighting artists from Marseille and Provence.

The central location of the Préfecture district provides easy access to Marseille’s main tourist attractions. The Opéra de Marseille, the Vieux-Port, the Canebière and the Musée d’Histoire de Marseille are less than 15 minutes’ walk away, and the Abbey of Saint-Victor is less than 20 minutes’ walk away.

The antiquaires district is ideal for lovers of antiques, antique furniture, vintage objects and collectors’ items. Shops line the rue Edmond Rostand, offering a wide variety of antiques, including antique furniture, objets d’art, vintage jewellery, old books, musical instruments and many other surprises.

You’ll find boutiques and shops in the La Préfecture district. From fashion boutiques to souvenir shops, you’ll find a variety of items to take home with you. Rue Saint-Ferréol, which links La Préfecture to La Canebière, is a popular pedestrian shopping street. You can also stroll along rue de Rome, which has been given back to pedestrians and soft mobility after major redevelopment work.

Restaurants, cafés and bars invite you to sample Mediterranean cuisine, local specialities and regional wines, or simply to share a convivial moment with your loved ones, family or friends. We offer you a selection of restaurants in Marseille, with numerous filters to make your search easier.