Marseille, this charming sunny city. Known for the old port, the historic Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde that watches over the city. Its majestic parks and atypic streets. Beyond its physical beauty the generous and welcoming population will make you feel like home. Marseille is a city full of treasures and islands that need to be discovered. But how come that this city is considered as the most dangerous in Europe? In today’s article Kenza and myself will share our experience about Marseille since we grew up there and in different places of the city.
1. “How do you feel about your safety in your neighbourhood in Marseille?”
Nessim: Since I was born here, I’ve never been questioning myself about how safe the part I grew up in was. I really always felt safe in general even though tragic events could happen in the city, but it never worried me more than the normal.
@kenza :In different areas, the feeling of being safe in general in Marseille is different. For my part, in my neighbourhood, I feel safe, yes, but not totally. I know that I can’t go to a specific place at a specific time without being injured or worse.
2. “Do you have any specific concerns regarding your daily safety in Marseille?”
-Not really, I will obviously pay attention and carry my belongings safely but just like when I lived in Paris ( for 6 months). And in general while going out I don’t ask myself any questions even though my family will always remind me to be careful outside.
-It’s different during the day. It also depends on which area you are, but in general in broad daylight nothing is dangerous. And I never felt any danger when moving out in the city.
3. “Could you describe your personal experience with safety in the city?”
-Honestly I don’t often see the police in Marseille, they are mostly in touristic places like the old port, but yes I can’t say that I feel protected but as long as I feel safe alone, police is not something that I’m worried about.
-Even if it’s not dangerous, I can’t say safety is a priority for the city. There’s more police officers in the street lately – not just in the train station – don’t make me feel safe either way. The police officers, most of the time, just chilling around without really making sure of citizens safety.
4. “Have you ever witnessed or been a victim of incidents that influenced your perception of safety in Marseille?”
-Yes I got my phone stolen once when I was younger but it was in the outside pocket of my backpack. And right before coming. Beside this event the only time I witnessed an incident was when a woman got her phone quickly snatched from her in the metro. Unfortunately, we can’t help it happen everywhere that’s why it didn’t affect my perception of the city.
-On a personal level, I wasn’t assaulted many time in Marseille. One time, years ago, while chilling with my friends, a woman threw some eggs at us from her window. We left with my friends but another man came and threatened to beat us. Another time someone – at night – stole my friend’s phone in the most public street Marseille has, the Canebière.
5. “Which areas in Marseille do you find most and least secure?”
-I would say the train station at Saint Charles especially at night, when I take the train alone especially at night I don’t feel unsafe but there is this weird atmosphere. Beside this, there is also the North West part of Marseille which doesn’t feel safe as an outsider’s and there is not much to do there anyway. The most secure is the south part of Marseille in general.
-For me, the best place where all things never happen or really rarely, is the Prado. It’s really a beautiful area, just in front of the sea. In my opinion it’s one of least dangerous places in Marseille. Unfortunately, there’s multiple places where it’s better not to go, and one of them is Felix Pyat. It’s a Marseille district in which it’s really dangerous to go because of the drug traffic. I never went there but I passed by it multiple times.
6. “Are there specific times when you feel more or less safe in the city?”
-At night or during a big event like a football match Marseille gets heated and the place around the stadium gets under tension. But in general i try to be more alert when the night comes.
-In the summer the City is better. For example, I avoid getting out after midnight if I do not have a place to stay for the night. But in the summer, it is really not a problem. The mood of the city is better in general and so the feeling of safety is more present even though crimes are still present.
Conclusion :
You can see that the experience is more or less different from one person to another, but you can also realize that by the way we talk about Marseille, it could be any other big city in the world. So don’t be scared to come and discover one of the most welcoming and charming city of Europe !
