La Canebière

street, Marseille, France

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

La Canebière is Marseille's most famous commercial street, extending eastward from the Old Port. Its name originates from a Latin word for hemp, reflecting Marseille's historical importance as a supplier of hemp and rope in the Middle Ages. The street begins at the Bourse, a grand public building housing the Chamber of Commerce and a maritime museum. Excavations near the Bourse have uncovered ancient ramparts and Roman roads, offering glimpses into the city's early history as Massalia. La Canebière is known for its vibrant atmosphere, drawing people from all over the world.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Marseille
The city layout
…Old Port, the thoroughfare of La Canebière climbs eastward up the hill; its name is a corruption of a Latin word for hemp, recalling Marseille’s importance as a source of hemp and supplier of hemp rope in the Middle Ages. Thronged by people from around the world, La Canebière is…
Read More
…Old Port, the thoroughfare of La Canebière climbs eastward up the hill; its name is a corruption of a Latin word for hemp, recalling Marseille’s importance as a source of hemp and supplier of hemp rope in the Middle Ages. Thronged by people from around the world, La Canebière is…
Read More