La Canebiere (Canebiere Avenue), Marseille

La Canebiere is described as the high street of the Vieux Carre (Old Quarter) of Marseille. The name Canebiere is derived from the Latin word, "cannabis". Hemp was once grown in the fields around the Old Port. Marseille was one of the major producers of hemp in the world. From the middle ages until the 1930s it was High Street indeed!

In 1666 King Louis XIV expanded the city of Marseille and the avenue Canebiere was built. In the late 1700s the Grand Arsenal docks were taken down and the avenue was lengthened to the Old Port. The development of elegant buildings followed.

During the Third French Republic the street became the Olympus of high society, sporting luxury hotels, cafes, shops and boutiques. In 1928 the street was further extended from the Old Port to the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul Church. The church is sometimes referred to as the Reform Church. In May 2017 the Patriotic Ball was held on the Canebiere in celebration of the Liberation of France in 1945.