Food festivals in Marseille worth planning a trip around, by month.
Food festivals in Marseille worth planning a trip around, by month.
Foire aux Santons de Marseille on the Vieux Port since 1803 runs every year mid-November to early January, the Christmas-crib fair with regional santon-makers and 13 desserts.
Focus: Provencal Christmas crafts and 13 desserts of Noel
Chandeleur at Saint-Victor Abbey on February 2 has the archbishop process from the Vieux Port to bless the Black Virgin, then walks to Four des Navettes to bless the navettes biscuits.
Focus: Navettes, the Marseillais orange-blossom biscuit
Street Food Festival from Marseille Provence Gastronomie at the foot of the Cathedrale de la Major runs three evenings on a 6,000 sqm esplanade, 42 stalls and DJ sets by the sea.
Focus: Mediterranean street food, local wine and craft beer
Marseille Provence Gastronomie runs March to October across the city since 2019, the umbrella for the Street Food Festival, the Banquet Bouillabaisse and seasonal producer markets.
Focus: Provencal gastronomy, sustainability and producer markets
Marche de Noel du Vieux-Port runs alongside the Foire aux Santons from mid-November to early January, wooden chalets on the Vieux Port with mulled wine, chestnuts and Provencal treats.
Focus: Provencal Christmas treats, mulled wine and chestnuts
Peak food season in Marseille is year-round.
Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.
service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Marseille rewards trust.