Largest City in France: Marseille or Lyon?
Largest city in France 2026: up-to-date figures for Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône)
Marseille: Population and Area
With 892,391 inhabitants (INSEE total population in force on January 1, 2026), Marseille is the 2nd most populous town in France in 2026 and the most populous in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, out of 119 communes. It covers 241 km² (28th largest area in France, 3rd largest in the department), with a population density of 3,709 inhabitants per km², or 34 times the national average (110 inhabitants/km²), which ranks it 221st in France for density.
Marseille is located in the Bouches-du-Rhône department (13), in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, where it ranks 1st by population out of 946 communes. It is the most populous town in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, which is home to 2,112,170 people over 5,087 km².
See the full ranking of communes in the Bouches-du-Rhône department and the regional ranking: largest city in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
Towns of similar size in the Bouches-du-Rhône department: Aix-en-Provence (pop. 152,854), Arles (pop. 52,515), Martigues (pop. 48,807).
Sources: INSEE, official population figures in force on January 1, 2026 (total population); areas: IGN / Observatoire des territoires; INSEE code 13055. Rankings are calculated across the 34,858 communes of metropolitan and overseas France in our database.
Marseille is the second most populous city in France and the largest city in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Located in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, this historic port city is known for its art, its culture, its unique architectural heritage, its renowned Mediterranean cuisine and its spectacular sea views.Contrary to what you may sometimes hear, Marseille really is the second-largest city in France, just ahead of Lyon.
The Vieux-Port, or Old Port, is the heart of Marseille and one of the city's most iconic sites. The area is lined with bars, restaurants and shops, and is a lively meeting place for locals and visitors alike. Le Panier is a historic neighborhood with colorful buildings and narrow cobblestone streets; nearby, on the J4 pier next to Fort Saint-Jean, stands the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations.
The Château d'If, on the island of the same name, is a historic monument famous around the world. This fortress was built in the 16th century and became famous thanks to Alexandre Dumas's novel "The Count of Monte Cristo". Visitors can also explore the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, which offers breathtaking views over Marseille and the sea.
Marseille is also known for its fresh, flavorful Mediterranean cuisine, which showcases local ingredients such as fish, seafood, fresh vegetables, olive oil and aromatic herbs. Visitors can sample local specialties in the city's many restaurants, including the famous bouillabaisse, a traditional fish soup.
In short, Marseille is a vibrant, cultural city with a lot to offer visitors. Its picturesque historic neighborhoods, famous landmarks, delicious food and spectacular sea views make Marseille a popular tourist destination. Discover everything this incredible city has to offer on plusgrandevilledefrance.com, your complete guide to exploring the second-largest city in France.