Skip to Main Content
Fixers in France
Start typing to search...
Filming in Marseille at Vieux-Port harbor

Marseille Filming Services

France's oldest city offers Mediterranean energy with the historic Vieux-Port, dramatic Calanques cliffs, and vibrant multicultural neighborhoods.

Why Film in Marseille

Marseille offers bustling harbor life, sun-drenched Mediterranean light, and access to national parks within minutes of the city center. Its mix of historic charm and modern redevelopment creates versatile backdrops for commercials, travel shows, feature films, and branded content.

Our Marseille fixers coordinate marine logistics, secure permits with the City of Marseille, and work with local authorities for waterfront control, drone permissions, and Calanques access. We assemble bilingual crews accustomed to fast-paced international productions.

Key Features

Historic Port

Vieux-Port, Fort Saint-Jean, and Panier district provide authentic harbor settings and colorful Mediterranean architecture.

Natural Drama

Calanques National Park delivers limestone cliffs, turquoise waters, and secluded coves reachable by land or boat.

Urban Energy

Street art, markets, and multicultural districts for documentary and lifestyle storytelling.

Signature Marseille Locations

Vieux-Port & Le Panier

Fishing boats, markets, narrow lanes, and iconic harbor panoramas.

MuCEM & J4 Waterfront

Contemporary architecture meeting the Mediterranean for sleek visuals.

Calanques National Park

Cinematic cliffs, hidden beaches, and sailing shots with crystal waters.

Euroméditerranée

Modern business district with glass towers and regenerated docks.

Notre-Dame de la Garde

Hilltop basilica offering sweeping aerial-style perspectives of the city.

La Corniche & Plages

Scenic coastal road with beaches, diving spots, and Mediterranean vistas.

Popular Filming Spots in Marseille

Our local fixers know these Marseille locations inside out, helping you navigate permits, logistics, and timing for the best results.

Vieux-Port

waterfront

Marseille's iconic old harbor with fishing boats, cafés, and the landmark Ombrière mirror canopy. Heart of the city since 600 BC.

Moderate permits

City permit required. Market days (daily morning) add authentic atmosphere but crowds.

Best times: sunrise, golden hour, blue hour
Note: Ferry traffic throughout day. Busy with tourists midday.

Calanques National Park

park

Dramatic limestone fjords with turquoise waters. Calanque de Sormiou, En-Vau, and Port-Pin are most filmed.

Complex permits

National Park authorization required (4+ weeks). Summer access restrictions. Boat access often easier than hiking.

Best times: morning, late afternoon
Note: Limited vehicle access. Summer closures during fire risk. No drones without special permit.

MuCEM & Fort Saint-Jean

building

Rudy Ricciotti's contemporary latticed cube contrasting with 17th-century fort. Stunning Mediterranean backdrop.

Moderate permits

MuCEM manages both sites. Exterior easier than interior. Popular for fashion and art films.

Best times: any time, sunset for golden light on lattice

Le Panier

neighborhood

Oldest district with narrow streets, pastel buildings, street art, and artisan shops. Authentic Marseille atmosphere.

Easy permits

Standard city permit. Narrow streets limit vehicle access.

Best times: morning, late afternoon

Notre-Dame de la Garde

landmark

19th-century basilica on highest hill with 360° city and sea views. Marseille's most visible landmark.

Moderate permits

Diocese approval for basilica. Esplanade: city permit. Drone shots popular but restricted airspace.

Best times: sunrise, sunset, night

Corniche Kennedy

street

Scenic 5km coastal road with Mediterranean views, beaches, and the famous Vallon des Auffes fishing port.

Easy permits

Road closures possible for major shoots. Vallon des Auffes is picturesque but tiny.

Best times: golden hour, sunset

Transport & Logistics in Marseille

Essential logistics information for planning your Marseille production.

Airports

Marseille Provence Airport MRS

27km / 25-40 min

Shuttle bus to Saint-Charles (25 min) Taxi (~€55) Private transfer

Local Transit

metro

2 lines covering central Marseille. Connects Saint-Charles station to Vieux-Port and beyond.

Crew tip: Metro filming requires RTM authorization. Relatively spacious compared to Paris.

bus

Extensive network including scenic coastal routes. Essential for Calanques access.

Crew tip: Bus 21 to Luminy for Calanques trailheads.

ferry

Small ferries cross Vieux-Port. Boat charters available for Calanques and coastal filming.

Crew tip: Essential for Calanques access by sea. Book marine support 2+ weeks ahead.

taxi

Available throughout city. Uber operates. Fixed rates from airport.

Parking & Production Vehicles

General availability: moderate

Vieux-Port area is limited. Underground parking at Vieux-Port and Saint-Charles. Easier in northern districts.

Production vehicles: Base camp options in Euroméditerranée or port industrial areas. Marseille Film Commission assists with permits.

Getting Between Locations

Marseille is spread out - plan 30+ min between distant locations. Vieux-Port to Calanques: 45 min by car. Notre-Dame is close but uphill. Consider boat transfers for coastal shoots.

Marseille Production Support

We deliver scalable crews, equipment, and logistics along the Mediterranean coast and throughout Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

Permits & Marine Logistics

  • • Waterfront permits and port authority coordination
  • • Boat charters, marine safety teams, and dive support
  • • Calanques access, environmental compliance, ranger liaison
  • • Traffic management and unit base setup
  • • Accommodation and transport for large crews

Crew & Equipment

  • • DPs, camera operators, aerial and underwater specialists
  • • Lighting, grip, sound, art, and marine rigging teams
  • • Bilingual fixers, production managers, and coordinators
  • • ARRI, RED, Sony Venice, drones, stabilized boat mounts
  • • Live streaming and ENG kits for news and events

Creative Specialties

  • • Documentaries and factual series about culture and sport
  • • Luxury travel, yachting, and lifestyle campaigns
  • • Commercial shoots with Mediterranean backdrops
  • • Music videos and fashion visuals
  • • Hybrid events and festival coverage

Why Choose Marseille

  • Unique Mediterranean light - 300+ sunny days per year
  • Diverse locations from ancient harbor to modern architecture
  • Gateway to Provence: lavender fields, Aix-en-Provence, Cassis
  • Strong local film industry with experienced crews
  • Marseille Film Commission offers location support and incentives

Plan Your Marseille Production

Tell us about your project and we will assemble the right maritime logistics, permits, and multilingual crew for a seamless shoot in Marseille or along the Côte d'Azur.