Journée du Livre Ancien et Moderne Place Castellane

Place Castellane, a monumental setting for old books

Place Castellane is one of Marseille's most iconic intersections. Located in the heart of the 6th arrondissement, this vast square owes its name to the Marquis Henri-César de Castellane-Majastre, who donated the land to the city in 1774. In the center stands the majestic Cantini fountain, a masterpiece of Carrara marble created by the Toulon sculptor André Allar between 1911 and 1913. Classified as a Historic Monument, this 25-meter-high fountain represents the three rivers of Provence — the Durance, the Verdon, and the Rhône — as well as the Mediterranean Sea. It is at the foot of this monument that APALM booksellers set up their stalls each month, offering an exceptional heritage setting for discovering old books.

A market of professional booksellers

The Journée du Livre Ancien et Moderne brings together about ten professional booksellers who are members of the Association pour la Promotion Active du Livre à Marseille (APALM). Each brings their specialty and expertise to offer a rich and varied bibliophilic selection:

• Bound books: old leather bindings, half-bindings, publisher's cases
• Illustrated editions: works adorned with engravings, color plates, frontispieces
• Original editions: first editions sought after by collectors
• Reference books: Provence and the South of France, French and foreign literature, science and technology, history, geography, social sciences
• Arts: fine arts, architecture, photography, decorative arts
• Prints and engravings: etchings, lithographs, woodcuts, botanical and zoological plates
• Comic books: classic albums, original Franco-Belgian comic book editions
• Cinema posters: original posters, period reproductions
• Vinyl records: 33 and 45 rpm records, original pressings

APALM booksellers are passionate professionals, capable of advising buyers on the authenticity, rarity, and value of the works. Whether you are looking for a 19th-century novel, an old atlas of Provence, a signed original edition, or simply a beautiful book as a gift, the Castellane market offers an exceptional treasure hunting ground.

Marseille, a land of books and culture

Marseille has long had a strong connection with the world of books. As early as the 17th century, the Phocaean city had printers and booksellers located around the Vieux-Port and the Canebière. The city was the birthplace or residence of illustrious writers: Edmond Rostand, a native of Marseille, André Suarès, a passionate chronicler of his hometown, and Marcel Pagnol, whose stories immortalized the hills and popular neighborhoods of the city.

Today, Marseille has a dynamic network of municipal libraries, including the Bibliothèque de l'Alcazar on Cours Belsunce, one of the largest municipal libraries in France. The city also hosts the Festival du Livre, the Salon du Livre Métropolitain at the Citadelle, and numerous independent bookstores that attest to the vitality of Marseille's literary scene.

An event for bibliophiles and the curious

The Journée du Livre Ancien et Moderne on Place Castellane is aimed at both experienced bibliophiles and curious strollers. Admission is completely free, and the relaxed atmosphere invites leisurely browsing among the stalls. Booksellers take the time to chat with visitors, tell the story of a book, or share an anecdote about a rare edition. It is this human and friendly dimension that gives outdoor book markets their charm, far from the anonymity of large cultural stores.

Place Castellane benefits from an ideal location, at the crossroads of the Avenues du Prado and Rue de Rome, served by metro lines 1 and 2. After visiting the market, book lovers can extend their stroll to the shopping district of Rue Paradis, the Jardins du Pharo, or the beaches of Prado, all accessible within minutes.