Chocolaterie de Provence Car Boot Sale

A weekly car boot sale in the heart of Marseille's industrial heritage

Every Saturday morning, the parking lot of the former Chocolaterie de Provence, at 43 chemin de la Millière in the Saint-Menet district, transforms into a vast open-air flea market. From 8 am to 2 pm, about 150 sellers — private and professional — offer a multitude of second-hand items to bargain hunters from all over the Marseille metropolitan area. Over the years, this weekly event has become one of the most popular car boot sales in the Bouches-du-Rhône region.

An emblematic industrial site repurposed

The site hosting this car boot sale has a remarkable history. Built in 1952 by architects Fernand Pouillon and René Egger, the factory was home to Nestlé chocolate production for over half a century. After the closure of the Nestlé factory in 2006 and the cessation of activity of the Chocolaterie de Provence in 2016, the 5-hectare site was gradually converted into film studios — the Studios de Saint-Menet — while preserving its listed architectural heritage. The vast parking lot of this former "green factory", surrounded by landscaped areas, offers an unusual and spacious setting for browsing among the stalls.

Finds for all budgets

The diversity of stalls is the richness of this weekly car boot sale. You can find a mix of tableware and ceramics, clothing and accessories for the whole family, books, comics, and vinyl records, toys and board games, small furniture and decor, tools and gardening equipment, as well as trinkets and collector's items. Prices, often very attractive and negotiable, allow everyone to leave with good deals. Savvy bargain hunters arrive as early as 8 am to find the best pieces.

Easy access from all over the metropolitan area

Located in the 11th arrondissement of Marseille, the Chocolaterie de Provence site is easily accessible. By car, it is accessible from the A50 motorway by taking the Saint-Menet exit. A large free parking lot is available for visitors on site. By public transport, bus line 51 serves the Saint-Menet stop, in the immediate vicinity of the site. This ease of access, combined with the weekly regularity of the event, makes it a prime destination for lovers of bargains and good deals in the Bouches-du-Rhône.

A moment of Provençal conviviality

Beyond bargain hunting, the Chocolaterie de Provence car boot sale is a real place for social life. Regulars meet there every Saturday morning to chat, discuss, and share a friendly moment under the Provençal sun. The relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere of the market, in this green industrial setting on the outskirts of the Marseille hills, contributes to making this weekly outing a renewed pleasure week after week. Entry is free for all visitors.