From June 4 to 8, 2026, Macha Makeïeff returns to La Criée, Théâtre national de Marseille, to present her flamboyant reading of Don Juan by Molière. For theatre lovers in Provence, this is the event not to be missed this week. And to enjoy the evening without worrying about getting home, the Hotel Belle-VueLocated on the Old Port, a few steps from the theatre, it is the ideal address.
The fish market is a 7-minute walk from your room.
The fish market occupies the former fish market in the Old Port, on the Quai de Rive Neuve. From the Hotel Belle-VueLocated on the opposite quay (Quai du Port), simply follow the north side of the port, cross at the Norman Foster shade structure, then walk up the south quay for a few hundred meters. Allow 7 to 10 minutes walk, without getting into a taxi, without looking for parking, without missing the curtain rising.
This walk is part of the pleasure: the light of the end of the day on the masts, the smell of the open sea, the terraces that light up… it is already a Marseilles scene before the Molière scene.
Macha Makeïeff returns to Marseille: why this Don Juan matters
Macha Makeïeff directed La Criée for over a decade. Her return to the theater she knows so well, with a monumental play from the repertoire, feels like a homecoming. Her signature style? A visual, baroque, and joyful theater , where costumes, sets, and music unfold with an almost operatic generosity. With Molière's Dom Juan , she takes on a text that has lost none of its subversive edge: a libertine who defies all conventions, right up to his downfall.
For the Marseille public as well as for visitors passing through Provence, this is a rare opportunity to see a great artist return to her stage — and to catch, in passing, one of the most anticipated shows of the regional season.
Planning your theatre evening in Marseille: our practical tips
Book your place early
Macha Makeïeff's return to La Criée often sells out. If you're planning a trip to Marseille for this show, book your tickets in advance on the theater's official website, and then reserve your hotel room. For the week of June 4th to 8th, it's best to aim for a performance midway through your stay, giving you time to explore the city before and after.
Dinner before or after? The Marseille question
In Marseille, many theatergoers dine after the show, around 22:30 p.m. — that's when the Old Port really comes alive. If you prefer to eat beforehand, opt for a light meal: La Caravelle , the hotel's historic bar and restaurant, serves southern French cuisine perfect for sharing, ideal for avoiding feeling heavy before three hours of theater. And you're just 60 seconds from your bed for a nightcap.
Dress for the weather, not the room
In June, the nights remain mild on the Old Port, but the mistral wind can pick up without warning. A light jacket is all you need. La Criée has no dress code: Marseille is a theatrical yet relaxed city.
Extend your cultural experience: Marseille in theatre & museum mode
Since you're coming to see a show, you might as well take advantage of the city's rich cultural offerings. Walking distance from the hotel Belle-VueSeveral places are worth a morning or afternoon visit:
- The Mucem : 5-minute walk. Spectacular architecture by Rudy Ricciotti and exhibitions that explore the Mediterranean of yesterday and today.
- La Vieille Charite in the Panier district: former baroque hospice turned cultural center, two museums (Mediterranean archaeology and African/Oceanian arts) under one roof.
- The History Museum of Marseille : to measure the 2,600 years of history of the city before or after a classic by Molière, it is a tasty perspective.
- The Cosquer Mediterranean Cave : a life-size replica of a submerged decorated cave. Stunning.
Our interactive map of museums near the hotel Belle-Vue details all walking routes from the hotel.
And the next day? Marseille beyond the stage
After an evening at the theatre, the morning is best savored slowly. Belle-Vue, the Breakfast Enjoy it on a terrace overlooking the Old Port, with the movement of the boats as the only background noise. Then, several options depending on your energy level:
- Sea side : board from the dock for a seaside getaway to the Frioul Islands, the Château d'If or the Calanques. The first shuttles depart from 9am.
- Land side Explore the Panier district, discover artisan workshops, and enjoy a coffee in Place de Lenche. Our guide Marseille on earth trace several short loops.
- Height side : climb up to Notre-Dame de la Garde, a 30-minute uphill walk, or take the little train from the port for tired legs from the day before.
Why the Hotel Belle-Vue is the address for theatre lovers in Provence
Choose the Belle-Vue An evening at La Criée means no calculations: no car to park downtown, no last metro to catch, no traffic jams after the show. You walk home along the water, in a city that never really sleeps in June.
Our rooms overlooking the Old Port open directly onto the harbor, and through an open window, you can sometimes hear the sounds of the terraces until midnight—a very Mediterranean soundtrack to help digest three hours of Molière. The hotel has been awarded the Green Key label and is Ecotable certified : your theatrical getaway is part of a responsible tourism approach, deeply rooted in the local community.
Discover our offers and deals to optimize your cultural stay in Marseille.
FAQ — Theatre in Marseille from the Hotel Belle-Vue
How long does it take to walk from the hotel to La Criée?
Between 7 and 10 minutes, along the Old Port. The route is flat, well lit in the evening, and entirely pedestrianized for most of the way thanks to the semi-pedestrianization of the quays.
Is it possible to have a late dinner after the show near the hotel?
Yes. Several restaurants in the Old Port serve until 23 p.m., or even midnight in high season. La Caravelle, on the ground floor of the Belle-Vue, offers a sharing menu ideal for an informal end to the evening, with a view of the illuminated port.
Do you need a car for a theatre getaway in Marseille?
No, it's strongly discouraged. The Old Port and the La Criée district are served by the metro (Vieux-Port station), the tram, and the ferry. From Saint-Charles train station, it's a 15-minute walk or a 5-minute metro ride to the hotel.
What to do in Marseille during the day before an evening show?
A morning at a museum (Mucem, Vieille Charité) followed by lunch in the Panier district, then a nap at the hotel, is a classic and comfortable itinerary. If you have more time, a half-day boat trip to the Calanques of Sormiou or Morgiou pairs well with an evening at the theatre — see our suggestions for activities in Marseille.
Is the theatre accessible to people with reduced mobility?
The fish market is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. The hotel Belle-Vue also has'accessibility features for people with disabilitiesFor the journey between the two, the quays of the Old Port are flat and wheelchair accessible.
Book your theatre stay in Marseille
Whether you come specifically for the Don Juan by Macha Makeïeff between June 4th and 8th, or whether you wish to incorporate a cultural event into a longer stay in Provence, the Hotel Belle-Vue welcomes you a stone's throw from La Criée, on the Old Port of Marseille. Book your room and let the city do the rest.
