Published March 12, 2026, 5:36 PM
What’s Ahead for Marseille? Four Candidates Outline Visions
As the Marseille municipal election nears, candidates are detailing their plans for the city’s future. Incumbent Benoît Payan focused heavily on the coastline, envisioning “a doubling of the Corbières area, from the Plongoirs to the Catalans, a pine forest around Borelli Park, and a pathway between Borelli Park and Les Goudes.” Payan likewise emphasized preparing the city for the impacts of climate change.
Martine Vassal, representing the center-right, prioritized economic development. “Utilize all possible means to allow businesses to establish themselves and provide opportunities for our residents to find jobs and live with dignified housing,” Vassal stated. She also reaffirmed her support for developing a casino within the city.
Sébastien Delogu centered his platform on “reindustrialization,” specifically targeting abandoned industrial sites like the port of pêche de l’Estaque. The left-wing candidate began his remarks by acknowledging the work accomplished by Payan during his current term.
Franck Allisio, meanwhile, is focusing on the city center and artificial intelligence. “Revitalize the city center and create an artificial intelligence campus in the heart of the Bourse area,” Allisio declared. He also proposed extending the metro line to La Valentine, a project that drew criticism from Martine Vassal, who estimated the cost at “800 million euros” and deemed it unrealistic within a few years.
