Honoré-d’Estienne-d’Orves Square

Here you are on this beautiful pedestrian square, designed by urban planner Charlie Bové and inaugurated in 1989. It’s named after World War II hero Honoré d’Estienne d’Orves, a French navy officer and Resistance martyr. Today, the square is bustling with life, lined with restaurants, cafés, art galleries, and shops. Take a small break while you’re here and indulge in some delicious local specialties – you won’t be disappointed! Right behind you, there’s the “Place aux huiles”, the “Oils Square”, so called because they unloaded barrels of oil here to make the famous Marseille soap. Before the square was built, there was an old canal here, known as the Canal de la Douane. It ran along the current Cours Honoré d’Estienne d’Orves, allowing galleys to sail through. It was filled in 1929 to make way for the boutiques, restaurants, and bars that now make this area one of the city’s liveliest. Just a few meters ahead on your right, at numbers 23 and 25, you’ll find the former headquarters of the Arsenal des Galères, the Galleys Arsenal, built by Colbert in the 17th century. This is where ships were built, repaired, and armed. On the other side, at number 30, you’ll find the Grandes Halles du Vieux-Port, aka the Old Port’s Covered Market – a brand new gastronomic landmark that opened its doors in 2022. It houses 12 stalls overflowing with local specialties and it’s a must-visit for foodies! The Cours Honoré d’Estienne d’Orves is thus the perfect place to unwind and grab a bite or a drink. Plus, with all the cultural events happening here, there’s always something new to discover.