The Escaliers du Cours Julien are colorful stairways on Rue Jean-Baptiste-Estelle in Marseille, set among old houses and street art. Murals and graffiti turn the route into an open-air gallery, with new details to spot as you climb or descend and views over the district below. The surrounding Cours Julien area has second-hand clothing shops, cafes, restaurants and Moroccan and Turkish stores, so you can make the stairs part of a longer wander.
A street-art route through Cours Julien
The stairs sit within Cours Julien, a neighborhood known for its creative street scene. Murals and graffiti cover the route, with artworks appearing at different heights and around corners. Artists from around the world have contributed to the district’s open-air display.
Look beyond the steps themselves: the contrast between the old houses and the painted walls is part of what gives this stretch its character. From the top, the stairs open onto a view of the district below.
Exploring the surrounding streets
Cours Julien has more to explore beyond the stairway. Second-hand clothing shops sit alongside cafes, restaurants, and Moroccan and Turkish stores. The area also draws local artists, giving a walk through the neighborhood a different feel from Marseille’s more tourist-focused Le Panier.
If your visit falls on the third Sunday of the month, you can look for the local flea markets. The stairs and surrounding streets are best explored in daylight; after dark, some parts of the area can feel tense.
Perguntas frequentes
What is there to see at Escaliers du Cours Julien?
The colorful stairways are covered with murals and graffiti. From the stairs, you can also look out over the district below.
When is a good time to visit?
Go during daylight to explore the street art comfortably. Local flea markets take place every third Sunday.
What can you do near the stairs?
Explore Cours Julien’s second-hand clothing shops, cafes, restaurants, and Moroccan and Turkish stores.
