La Valentine

Marseille
La Valentine featuring heritage elements
Although best known for its shopping centers, this eastern Marseillais neighborhood is also home to a small historic district, a golf course and a beautiful cemetery.

At the eastern edge of Marseille lies La Valentine, a small but bustling hub that is the perfect place to shop in (relative) peace and quiet or to get out into some nature without leaving the city itself. It gets its name from Jean Valentin, a nobleman who built a fortified town here in the 15th century. Today, most visitors come for the IKEA store and cinema multiplexes, but the neighborhood has many hidden gems for those who care to look.

Start your visit in La Valentine’s small but charming Old Town, where restaurants in charming buildings are the perfect place for a croissant or some bouillabaisse. Admire the Romanesque façade of the Église de la Valentine, which is still the spiritual heart of the neighborhood. Shop until you drop at the Centre Commercial Valentine, one of Marseille’s biggest malls, where you can find all of Europe’s biggest brands away from the touristic hubbub of the downtown.

Because it is near parks and green spaces, La Valentine is also a great place to get active or watch sporting teams in action. Cheer on the local amateur soccer team at the Jouvène-Pierre-d’Acunto Stadium, where the CAM Phenix team has its home games. Get out on the greens at the Golf de Marseille Salette, the largest golf course close to Marseille, where the holes are interspersed through a beautiful Provençal garden. Or simply go on a brisk walk through the 32 acres (13 hectares) of the Nécropole des Vaudrans, the perfect spot to watch the sunrise over the Huveaune valley or the sunset behind the Marseillais skyline.

La Valentine is in the 11th arrondissement, directly to the east of Marseille’s city center and is served by two metro stations at its southern edge. Drive to its center in 25 minutes from the Marseille-St-Charles train station or in 30 minutes from the Marseille Provence airport.

Celebrate the history of the neighborhood at the 19th-century Brasserie Heineken, once home to the now-defunct Phoenix Beer and still the only large beer brewery in southern France.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


La Valentine Hotel Deals

Premiere Classe Marseille Est - La Valentine
Premiere Classe Marseille Est - La Valentine
1 out of 5
117 Traverse de la Montre C.C. Grand V, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhone
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥6,932 per night from Apr 2 to Apr 3
¥6,932
per night
Apr 2 - Apr 3
Stay at this hotel in Marseille. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Popular attractions Old Port of Marseille and Velodrome Stadium are located nearby. ...
6.4/10 (798 reviews)
Marseille oui
"Nice place was only there a few hours the night guy was nice when I checked in early morning nice place to stay"

Reviewed on Oct 20, 2023

Premiere Classe Marseille Est - La Valentine
Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites - Marseille Vieux Port
Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites - Marseille Vieux Port
4 out of 5
43 Quai des Belges, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhone
The price is ¥29,253 per night from Apr 9 to Apr 10
¥29,253
per night
Apr 9 - Apr 10
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Marseille. Enjoy free WiFi, a marina, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (540 reviews)
"A great location in a beautifully restored building ans such a great staff. What a pleasure!"

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

Maisons du Monde Hôtel & Suites - Marseille Vieux Port
Toyoko Inn Marseille Saint Charles
Toyoko Inn Marseille Saint Charles
3 out of 5
25 avenue du Général Leclerc, Marseille
The price is ¥12,387 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
¥12,387
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Marseille. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,014 reviews)
"Helpful staff, nice people"

Reviewed on Jan 28, 2024

Toyoko Inn Marseille Saint Charles
Residhotel Grand Prado
Residhotel Grand Prado
3 out of 5
Allée Turcat Méry, 7 square des frères Ambrogiani, Marseille
The price is ¥8,731 per night from Apr 4 to Apr 5
¥8,731
per night
Apr 4 - Apr 5
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Marseille. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,694 reviews)
"Most reasonable price paid for accommodation near a stadium on game day"

Reviewed on Feb 3, 2024

Residhotel Grand Prado
Mercure Marseille Centre Vieux Port
Mercure Marseille Centre Vieux Port
4 out of 5
1 Rue Neuve Saint Martin, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhone
The price is ¥16,198 per night from Apr 12 to Apr 13
¥16,198
per night
Apr 12 - Apr 13
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Marseille. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Popular attractions Old Port of Marseille and Marseille ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (825 reviews)
Good hotel with a parking problem
"Everything very good and at a fair price, except for parking. We arrived on Sunday early evening but had to wander in a vast parking, end up in a closed mall and behind closed doors trying to get to the reception before a "search party" liberated us."

Reviewed on Mar 20, 2024

Mercure Marseille Centre Vieux Port
Holiday Inn Express Marseille - Saint Charles, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Marseille - Saint Charles, an IHG Hotel
3 out of 5
15 Boulevard Maurice Bourdet, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhone
The price is ¥13,255 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
¥13,255
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Marseille. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (986 reviews)
"Fabulous, spacious room with everything a traveller needs. Great value and a great location for both the old port and the train station. Would highly recommend"

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

Holiday Inn Express Marseille - Saint Charles, an IHG Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around La Valentine

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12th Arrondissement

When in 12th Arrondissement and the surrounding area, you'll want to check out sights like Le Dôme or Palais Longchamps and hop on the metro to see more the city at La Fourragere Station or Saint Barnabé Metro Station.

12th Arrondissement
10th Arrondissement

10th Arrondissement

2/5(1 area review)

You'll enjoy the museums and parks in 10th Arrondissement. You might want to make time for a stop at OK Corral or Calanques National Park.

10th Arrondissement
Le Dome

4th Arrondissement

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

4th Arrondissement is well-liked for its museums and parks. If you're hoping to get in some sightseeing, Palais Longchamps and Le Dôme are top spots, and you can jump on the metro at Chartreux Station or Cinq Avenues - Longchamp Station to get around.

4th Arrondissement
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5th Arrondissement

3.5/5(3 area reviews)

You might enjoy the waterfront views while in 5th Arrondissement. La Plaine is a notable sight, and you can get around town at La Timone Station or Baille Station to see more of the city.

5th Arrondissement
Un, deux, trois. Marseille stairs

Saint-Charles

Saint-Charles is known for its waterfront views, and you can get around the area by hopping on the metro at St. Charles Station.

Saint-Charles
#lifeatexpedia

Chanot - Stade Velodrome

Noted for its waterfront views and coffeehouses, there's plenty to explore in Chanot - Stade Velodrome. Top attractions like Velodrome Stadium and Palais des Sports de Marseille are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Sainte-Marguerite Dromel Station or Rond-Point du Prado Station to see more of the city.

Chanot - Stade Velodrome

La Valentine