Marseille - Guide for Gays, Lesbians and Queers

Marseille has no designated gay district. Queer venues are spread out, but most are within walking distance of each other between the Old Port and the Cours Julien in the 6th arrondissement.

On the Cours Julien, Le Pulse at number 94 is a newer queer bar with a terrace that plays house and techno from the afternoon. Near the Old Port, at 24 Cours Honoré d'Estienne d'Orves, Polikarpov is a small vodka bar with a mixed gay and straight crowd. Women meet at Aux 3G, which opens on Thursday evenings and on Friday and Saturday nights.

For dancing, the New Cancan in the 1st arrondissement is the main address. The club has been running since the early 1990s and opens at weekends with changing theme nights and shows. Le Trash at 28 rue du Berceau in the 5th arrondissement is a men-only bar with a cruising area.

The sauna scene is smaller than many visitors assume. Salvator Sauna Club in the 6th arrondissement has three floors with a hammam, Finnish sauna, jacuzzi and private cabins, and is open every day. The former Cargo Sauna near the Cours Julien has closed permanently, even though older guides still list it.

Contact with the organised community is easiest through Fierté Marseille Organisation, the association that runs the annual Pride Marseille and works with many of the city's LGBTQIA+ groups. Opening hours of bars and clubs change often, so it makes sense to check their own pages before going.