Contents
Key points
- Direct access: Saint-Charles station in the city centre, airport 27 km away.
- Over 10,500 hotel rooms and 4 convention centres in the city centre, according to the tourist office.
- The Calanques National Park begins on the edge of the city.
Why Marseille
France’s oldest city, “founded more than 2,600 years ago” according to its tourist office, Marseille is also a business destination: in 2025, Aix-Marseille ranked 95th city in the world and 3rd in France, behind Paris and Lyon, for hosting international association conferences (ICCA ranking). The city has over 10,500 hotel rooms, half of them holding the Clé Verte (Green Key) eco-label.
Its unique asset: the sea and the Calanques. Created in 2012, the Calanques National Park is the first in Europe to be at once land-based, marine and peri-urban. Its land core covers 8,500 hectares across Marseille, Cassis and La Ciotat.
Getting there
- Train: the TGV network links Paris to Marseille in about 3 hours, according to the tourist office. Saint-Charles station is a 20-minute walk from the Vieux-Port.
- Air: Marseille Provence Airport is 27 km from the centre. The shuttle to Saint-Charles station runs every 10 minutes from 7 am to 8 pm, with a journey time of 30 to 50 minutes.
Major venues
| Venue | Published capacities |
|---|---|
| Palais du Pharo | 900-seat auditorium; Espace Vieux-Port up to 1,000 people; La Major room up to 280 people; meeting rooms for 10 to 90 people; nearly 7,000 m² of space |
| Marseille Chanot, Palais des Congrès | 15,000 m² over 3 levels; 2 auditoriums of 200 to 1,200 seats; 15 meeting rooms |
For an event of 15 to 150 people, city-centre hotels, bastides in the residential districts and venues with sea views offer a more intimate setting.
Published prices
| Venue | Published rate | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Châteauform’ Marseille-Longchamp (1st arrondissement) | €290 to €445 excl. VAT per participant per day, “all inclusive” | up to 80 participants, 51 bedrooms, 11 meeting rooms |
Recorded from the venue’s official website on 11 November 2026. The page does not detail exactly what “all inclusive” covers. This venue is not, to date, a partner of Guide Séminaire.
Our venues in Marseille
We are currently visiting the venues in this area. Venue profiles are published after each visit. In the meantime, we pass your request on to suitable venues: describe my event.
Our advice
- Choose a venue close to Saint-Charles if your participants are arriving by train: everything can be done on foot or by metro.
- Make the most of the sea: a boat trip in the Calanques, dinner on the harbour, team building activities.
- In summer, access to the Calanques massifs may be restricted: check before scheduling a hike.
Sources and method
Information checked on 11 November 2026.
- Découvrez Marseille — Office de Tourisme et des Congrès de Marseille : France’s oldest city, founded more than 2,600 years ago
- Communiqué ICCA, 21 mai 2026 — Office de Tourisme et des Congrès de Marseille : ICCA ranking, 10,500 rooms, 4 convention centres, Paris in 3 hours
- Arriver à Marseille — Office de Tourisme et des Congrès de Marseille : airport 27 km away, Saint-Charles a 20-minute walk from the Vieux-Port
- Navette Marseille gare Saint-Charles — Aéroport Marseille Provence : frequency and journey time
- Plaquette grand public — Parc national des Calanques : created in 2012, Europe’s first land-based, marine and peri-urban park, 8,500 ha
- Palais du Pharo — Ville de Marseille : published capacities
- Nos espaces — Marseille Chanot : Palais des Congrès capacities
- Châteauform’ Marseille-Longchamp — Châteauform’ : published rate and capacities
Frequently asked questions
How do we get to Marseille for a corporate event?
By TGV to Saint-Charles station, a 20-minute walk from the Vieux-Port (Old Port) according to the tourist office, or by air: Marseille Provence Airport is 27 km from the centre and linked to Saint-Charles station by a shuttle every 10 minutes from 7 am to 8 pm (30 to 50 minutes’ journey).
How much does a corporate retreat in Marseille cost?
Published example: Châteauform’ Marseille-Longchamp lists €290 to €445 excl. VAT per participant per day, “all inclusive” (recorded on 11 November 2026). Most venues quote on request: describe your project to receive proposals.
Where can we hold a large corporate event in Marseille?
For several hundred people, the city offers in particular the Palais du Pharo (900-seat auditorium) and the Palais des Congrès at Marseille Chanot (2 auditoriums of 200 to 1,200 seats and 15 meeting rooms).
