Places to be in Marseille
The student neighbourhoods, the libraries to study in, where to go out in the evening, and how to live well on a budget.
Updated 2026-06-20
Knowing where to go makes a new city yours. Here are the student neighbourhoods of Marseille, the best places to study for free, where people go out, and how to eat without breaking the budget.
Student neighbourhoods
Where students tend to live and hang out in Marseille:
- Cours Julien / Notre-Dame-du-Mont - Bohemian, central and very student-friendly.
- Le Panier - Oldest district, atmospheric old town above the Vieux-Port.
- La Plaine - Popular central quarter with a big square and many bars.
Free places to study
Libraries and study spaces open to students in Marseille:
- Bibliothèque l'Alcazar (BMVR) - Largest library in the region, 11,000 m2 with study rooms, near the Vieux-Port.
Going out in the evening
The areas students head to after dark:
- Cours Julien - Street-art quarter packed with beer, cocktail and alternative bars.
- Le Vieux-Port - Waterfront apéritif spot with bars and a view at the heart of the city.
- La Plaine (Place Jean Jaurès) - Lively, popular district known for intense late-night going out.
Eating well on a budget
CROUS university restaurants serve full meals at a subsidised student price (around 3.30 EUR, about 1 EUR for scholarship holders). Find every site and the menus on the official CROUS map.
Common questions
Where should an international student live in Marseille?
Look first at CROUS residences (cheapest, apply early) and the student neighbourhoods listed above. Use Visale (a free state-backed guarantor) if a landlord asks for a guarantor and your family is abroad. See our guide on living in France for the full housing route.
Where can I study for free in Marseille?
University libraries (BU) and the municipal libraries listed above are free and have long opening hours, especially in exam season. They are also a good place to meet other students.
Sources
- Events in Marseille - Office de Tourisme · 2026-06-20
- ESN Marseilleofficial · 2026-06-20
- Fête de la Musiqueofficial · 2026-06-20
- Cours Julien · 2026-06-20
- Le Vieux-Port · 2026-06-20
- Bibliothèque l'Alcazar (BMVR) · 2026-06-20
- Noctambus (RTM) · 2026-06-20
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