Ville de Marseille in the news

In Marseille's municipal elections, incumbent mayor Benoît Payan leads narrowly and rejects alliances with LFI, while the far-right RN and left-wing LFI seek to challenge him in a tense runoff.

The 2026 Marseille municipal elections show incumbent Benoît Payan narrowly leading amid high turnout and a strong far-right challenge, marking a pivotal moment for the city's political future.

Marseille will host a free 'Sea Festival' on October 18, 2026, featuring over 40 marine activities and educational events along its coastline, with the Corniche pedestrianized.

Marseille is cracking down on illegal tourist rentals with restrictive policies, including removing key boxes and imposing strict limits on rental days, to address a housing crisis and prevent neighborhood degradation.

Marseille continues its crackdown on illegal tourist rentals by removing key boxes in public spaces, aiming to reduce offers and regulate the market.

Marseille will double the tax on vacant properties to encourage owners to rent them out and combat the housing crisis.

Marseille successfully reduced tourist furnished rentals by 16% through new regulations and legal actions to address its housing crisis and prevent the 'Airbnb drift'.

Marseille announced a 16% reduction in tourist furnished accommodations between 2024 and 2025, down to 11,000 units, as a result of measures to combat the 'Airbnb drift'.

Marseille claims initial success in regulating tourist rentals, with reinforced rules and enforcement leading to significant fines and the return of some properties to residential use.

Marseille inaugurates a new community resource center on Rue d'Aubagne, honoring the victims of the 2018 building collapses and promoting local engagement.

Marseille has been named the French Capital of Biodiversity for its 32 actions protecting and restoring natural environments, from urban areas to marine ecosystems.

Marion Boulanger, previously with Ville de Marseille, is now co-director of the Institut Espaces Communs at Yes We Camp, overseeing training, research, evaluation, and European partnerships.

The City of Marseille acquired the Maison Diamantée to transform it into a cultural center for local history and heritage, reopening on November 27, 2026, with an exhibition.

Marseille has been awarded the French Capital of Biodiversity 2026 title for its comprehensive environmental policy, including projects protecting marine and terrestrial natural heritage.

Marseille won its first 'French Capital of Biodiversity' award for 32 exemplary nature restoration actions across its urban, terrestrial, and marine environments.

Marseille faces a severe shortage of municipal libraries and inadequate resources due to historical underinvestment and slow implementation of promised improvements, impacting both staff and residents.

Library staff in Marseille protested budget and staffing cuts, with a 700,000 euro budget reduction over three years and a 30% decrease in personnel since 2023.

Marseille is negotiating to acquire the 25,000 sqm Galeries Lafayette premises for 20-26 million euros to establish a children's philharmonic orchestra and a city of sea and sciences.

The city of Marseille will inaugurate a new memorial and community center on October 9th at the site of the 2018 building collapses on Rue d'Aubagne.

The City of Marseille is seeking a health insurance provider for a new communal solidarity mutual starting in 2027 to offer accessible complementary health insurance to residents and workers.