Canebière (La), Marseille

La Canebière is Marseilles' most famous street, opening directly onto the old port. Its name originates from the Provençal term canebe, meaning "hemp," and can be traced back to the 11th century when the street was home to ropemakers and hemp merchants. With the destruction of the dockyard in the late 18th century, it gained free access to the port and in the 19th Century, its lively hotels, luxury shops, theatres, and cafes earned it an international reputation.