Finding a trustworthy pharmacy in Marseille is about more than just filling a prescription. Whether you are a local resident, an expat navigating the French healthcare system, or a traveler who has fallen ill while visiting the Vieux-Port, knowing where to go for expert medical advice is essential.
The French pharmacy experience is unique. Unlike in many other countries, pharmacists here are highly trained medical professionals who can diagnose minor ailments, prescribe certain medications, and provide vaccinations without requiring you to see a doctor first.
Marseille, as France’s oldest and second-largest city, is a sprawling metropolis with hundreds of pharmacies scattered across its diverse arrondissements. From the bustling streets of Noailles to the calmer residential areas near the Calanques, the level of service can vary significantly.
This guide focuses on establishments known for their professionalism, extended hours, and willingness to go the extra mile. We have considered factors such as linguistic capabilities (English-speaking staff), product stock for niche needs, and accessibility for those with mobility issues.
Below is a curated list of the 15 best pharmacies in Marseille. These locations have been selected based on customer reviews, reputation for patient care, and their ability to serve both the local community and international visitors effectively.
Decaroli pharmacy Saint Barnabé
| Address | 46 Av. de Saint-Barnabé, 13012 Marseille |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 91 49 21 15 |
Nice pharmacy. Just nice pharmacy. Pharmacy like it needs to be!
Nickel 👌
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A huge thank you to Marine for her warm welcome, kindness, and professionalism. She was very attentive, available, and offered excellent advice. I ask for her every time I come! It's truly a pleasure to be greeted by such a smiling and caring person. I highly recommend this pharmacy, especially thanks to employees like Marine!
I wish to bring to your attention a particularly shocking incident that occurred in your pharmacy.
I am currently on vacation with my daughter, who suddenly had a severe allergic reaction requiring the urgent purchase of an antihistamine. We arrived at your pharmacy at 8:57 p.m., even though closing time was 9:00 p.m.
The security guard immediately informed us that the pharmacy was about to close. Given the urgency of the situation, I, and I alone, insisted on entering. He was simply doing his job, calmly, professionally, and respectfully. I wish to emphasize this point.
However, the behavior of a pharmacist, a woman in her fifties with short, slightly curly black hair, was deeply shocking. In front of us and other people, she addressed the security guard in an extremely disrespectful manner, calling him incompetent and criticizing him for letting us in. She even stated that, “if someone had come in with a knife to endanger them,” it would have been her fault.
This remark was completely disproportionate and lacking in any discernment. My daughter and I were coming from the beach, dressed simply in shorts and summer clothes. My daughter had a visible allergic reaction on her face. It was obvious that we were there for a medical emergency, not for a convenience purchase.
I immediately explained that the security guard bore absolutely no responsibility in this situation, that I had insisted on entering, and that even though the registers were already closed, I was prepared to leave €10, €20, or €30 without asking for change so as not to complicate their closing. Despite this, my explanations were ignored. The pharmacists continued to speak to the security guard with contempt, without even considering what I was saying.
I cannot understand how someone working in healthcare could be so utterly lacking in humanity and empathy towards a child in distress. Being tired at the end of the day is understandable, but it does not justify the disrespect shown to a colleague, nor the complete lack of consideration shown to clients facing a medical emergency.
I also wish to offer my sincere apologies to the security guard for the situation I unintentionally put him in. He was impeccable from beginning to end. I sincerely hope he will not suffer any consequences because of my insistence, as he was simply carrying out his duties professionally.
Finally, one question remains and deserves to be asked. Given the violence of the remarks directed at him and the public humiliation he suffered, I wonder: did the security guard's skin color, consciously or unconsciously, influence the way he was treated? I'm not making a definitive statement, but this question is legitimate, as nothing in his behavior justified such relentless harassment.
I ask you to please examine this situation with the full attention it deserves. Patients who walk through the doors of a pharmacy at the very end of the day rarely do so out of convenience. They often come because they are facing an emergency and hope to find healthcare professionals there, but also a minimum of listening, respect, and humanity.
Decaroli Pharmacy Sainte Marthe
| Address | 234 Chem. de Sainte-Marthe, 13014 Marseille |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 04 91 98 31 28 |
Top
Nickel
Bon service
Top
I arrived to find five pharmacists at the counter, then suddenly two, and then two more. After more than 20 minutes of waiting, the queue kept growing, and there was no one to serve customers. There were more people stocking shelves than helping us. Five people behind the counter and only two at the register—this is unacceptable for a pharmacy.
Pharmacy Prado Mermoz
| Address | 244 Av. du Prado, 13008 Marseille |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 04 91 77 59 64 |
I don’t live in Marseille or France for that case and I do not know if this is the normal level of customer service around France. But, I have never received better customer service anywhere else in the world.
I was looking for a certain brand of hair serum, I asked one of the employees and she walked through the entire huge store after she couldn’t find it to bring over another colleague to help her.
The other colleague couldn’t find it either but she did not stop there, she started conducting thorough research on the composite of the brand I have and the brands this store offers.
She went on for maybe 15 minutes but unfortunately couldn’t find one similar; I told myself ‘I am buying whatever she tells me is good enough even if I am not convinced’ solely for the effort she has put.
Thank you
Very courteous staff and well stocked with products
Various products and good prices
I visit this pharmacy when I am around the area as it carries a variety of products. However, it is hard to find someone to advise despite the numerous number of salespersons. Often times, I feel like I am interrupting their conversations as they are mostly chatting away
This is my favourite pharmacy in the city.. I visit it whenever I am in Marseille.. low prices and helpful salespeople.. they also have a website where you can shop online.. they deliver to other European countries other than France but I have never tried it.. I always stock up..
Grande Pharmacie de Marseille - Boticinal
| Address | 24 Cours Belsunce, Immeuble Centre Bourse, Sq. Belsunce, 13001 Marseille |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM Saturday: 9:30 AM – 7:30 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 04 91 90 15 46 |
Very large pharmacy with great prices. Large wide aisles stocked with all the top skincare brands.
I arrived 18 minutes before closing. The security guard stopped to say they were closing soon, which I understood to mean in 15 minutes before closing they wouldn’t let people in. He let me go in. I left 8 minutes before closing. He then stopped me, accused me of shoplifting, and ordered to check my handbag and shopping bag. i obviously did not steal anything, i was picking up shampoo and conditioner. I think he was mad I was inside? I’m unsure why people aren’t allowed inside 18 minutes before a store closes, especially when I completed my shopping within 10 minutes. Maybe change the time and put a sign up if that is the case
Very big pharmacy, great selection of products at pretty good prices! Staff were welcoming and the ones that approached me spoke English and offer to help, give suggestions.
Much stuff can only speak French coz it's France but there is always that 1 lady who speaks English she's very patient very magnificent thank yu so much for the help
It's the biggest pharmacy that I saw in Marseille till now, it's very perfectly organised and the prices o dear lord the prices are perfect, also very helpful and polite staff .
Grande Pharmacie de Castellane
| Address | 11 Pl. Castellane, 13006 Marseille |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 91 48 70 20 |
The sales person was incredibly nice. He listened me very well and suggested me a correct medicine. He speaks very well English, which is sometimes hard to find in France.
He also suggested some places we could visit (ie. Cassis) and we actually did it. Thanks a lot for great pharmaceutical service and travel advice.
Incompetent. I went for a covid test and they managed to write my name wrong and ruin my holidays as I had to waste my Saturday evening and Sunday morning to try solve my problem and eventually go re-do the test on my expence.
“I didn’t receive any clear explanations or a solution for obtaining a copy of my prescription. The reception seemed very cold and unprofessional. I will not be returning to this pharmacy.”
Some staff members are extremely unpleasant and, above all, incompetent: a small, blonde woman refused to give me the seventh bottle of mouthwash, even though it corresponded to the doctor's prescription. She claimed it was the doctor's mistake and that she knew what she was talking about. However, I checked, and the dosage indicated on the prescription matched that in the medication leaflet (3 x 15ml per day), which clearly made seven bottles in total! The woman couldn't do math, was stubborn, and finally told me she was giving me the seventh bottle "so as not to frustrate me." Incompetence, bad faith, and arrogance.
The pharmacist was unpleasant and arrogant. I was cut in line twice, even after explaining that I'd been there for a while, but the other customers didn't care, and the pharmacist even less. He actually ordered me to go to another register if I wasn't happy about being cut in line. It's outrageous that healthcare workers don't care about their customers. I urgently needed medication for my health, but I guess I'll have to wait even longer since the pharmacist couldn't care less. It's truly unbearable. If you can't speak to customers properly, stay home, thank you.
Pharmacie
| Address | 9 Quai du Lazaret, 13002 Marseille |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 91 90 64 65 |
Every time our ship docks in Marseille, I rush straight to this pharmacy to stock up on everything I need. I always spend quite a bit here and I usually receive some small testers with my purchase. I’ll be visiting again this Sunday. I assume you'll be open, and I'm really hoping for some testers from higher-end brands this time:) Thank you for the quality.
I had a very good experience reviving my booster vaccine here. I was helped by Jonathan who was patient and kind, making sure we understood everything and walked us through the paperwork of being a foreign person living in France. It was such a smooth and efficient process and all the other staff we came across were friendly and helpful.
Service correct
Hello,
While passing through Marseille, I needed some information about a vitamin C product.
I came across Marie, who demonstrated exceptional professionalism and expertise in her field.
Her skills were extremely helpful.
Not to mention her ever-present smile.
Thank you again, Marie, I promise I'll be back!
I received a kidney transplant in 2021 and am followed by a nephrologist at the hospital. I went to the pharmacy with a signed prescription (like all the ones I've received for years), my health insurance card, and my ID, and I even showed some old prescriptions to prove the regularity of my treatment.
The pharmacist refused to give me my medication, implying that the prescription might have been tampered with. Up to that point, I can understand a professional being cautious. However, his mocking tone and the comments he made were deeply shocking. He suggested I could resell the medication or take it to a country without social security. These insinuations are inappropriate and hurtful, especially when it concerns a vital anti-rejection medication.
Strangely, he then offered to sell me a small quantity for €53, which shows that a solution was possible.
When you've had a transplant, you need a healthcare professional who listens, respects you, and understands the vital importance of the treatment. I left that pharmacy shocked and humiliated.
Pharmacie du Globe - Ouverte Dimanche et Jours Fériés , sans exceptions - Open 7/7 from 8 to 8
| Address | 46 Rue de la République, 13002 Marseille |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 91 90 47 68 |
I visited this pharmacy twice on 13 May 2023, Saturday, in the afternoon after 3pm. I mentioned the day and time because I didn't get the names of the two service staff who were working that day. The first staff who helped me is a very friendly lady. I don't speak French and her English was good. I was browsing and she stepped forward to ask if I needed help and explained the products to me. I visited the same pharmacy again the same day and this time it was a gentleman who served me. We communicated using Google translate and he was very patient waiting for me to type into Google translate to know what I wanted. Both staff made me felt welcome in the store and I bought what I needed because they were very willing to help.
They have the most friendly and helpful staff you can ever find. Highly recommended. They also speak english for non-French-speaking clients
Had a minor health incident and the pharmacist was very kind and knowledgeable. Quickly addressed my concerns and helped me solve the problem.
Amazing customer service!! Super friendly staff
Very friendly and helpfull. Really think along with your problem.
Pharmacie Prado David Plage
| Address | 614 Av. du Prado, 13008 Marseille |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 04 91 76 19 28 |
Dear Sirs,
I'm from Slovenia and I like your site very much since prices are very good and the cost of shipment reasonable. And the site itself is quite easy to navigate and to order. And I would like very much to make a purchase on your site. However I can not come in contact with you (email, contact form or phone) nor can I order any items since your website does not offer the possibility of choosing Slovenia as one of the states..
Could you please modify your website to offer also Slovenia as one possible state you are sanding your items? We are small, but I belive, since a new president of UEFA comes from our state also quite famous.
Sincerely yours,
Jernej Dea
I was ordered some milk from her webstie at 16th and then they take my moeny from my bank at 18th Aug. but until now I saw the milk is still on perpare, !!!!!I send at list 7 message or emails and tried to call may time *(always on busy ), I worried this shop maybe is faked
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Agree with all the 5 star reviews here! Not
Much else to say. Also free parking along the boulevard
Good selection of Avene and other skin care brands. Friendly pharmacist helped me buy cold remedy despite my terrible French.
Great located and staff is amazing. Also good prices.
La Corniche's Pharmacy
| Address | 132 Cor Président John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 13007 Marseille |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 91 52 01 09 |
For years, I have suffered with huge reactions to mosquito bites - leaving me unable to walk at times. I asked the pharmacist here for help. It's an allergic reaction, she said. Take antihistamine. It works. Why no-one else recommended it, I don't know. Merci, Madame.
Kind, helpful and fast!
A pharmacy that only sells tiny bottle of sunscreen … for a ridiculous price
They don't do strep tests for tonsillitis on Sundays…this information was given after a 20-minute wait; it's hard to understand the reasons for this refusal given how quick and easy the test is to perform and interpret. The reason given: "it's busy," like a winter Sunday for a pharmacy open 7 days a week. Pharmacies benefit from this diagnostic and treatment service to relieve pressure on general practitioners' offices, and therefore on-call doctors, which cost the social security system more. The tonsillitis will have to wait 24 hours to determine if it's bacterial or not. Please put up a sign on your door stating that you do not perform any tests on Sundays.
A friendly team, available 7 days a week, even on holidays! They are always present, pleasant, and ready to help. They are constantly striving to improve and offer new services. It's a real pleasure to have them every day. Well done to the Pharmacie de la Corniche! And thank you for everything you do 🙏
Pharmacie De La Porte d'Aix
| Address | 10 Pl. Jules Guesde, 13001 Marseille |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Phone | 04 91 90 14 56 |
Amazing experience. They were fast and clean
Went for some paracetamol due tofever. We are visiting the city. It was easy and pleasant.
Excellent service
Magic but little dangerous
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Pharmacie de l'Opéra
| Address | 22 Rue Beauvau, 13001 Marseille |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM Thursday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM Friday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM Saturday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 04 91 33 32 20 |
Service is good; but the sunscreen I bought was opened / used by someone. *Edit: thankfully when I returned to the shop, they agreed to exchange for a new one
Worst experience ever. They put bottles of the product somewhere else so you cannot even recognize the products you use. Don’t let you touch products until you buy them as if you’re a thief. Woman there was so rude and was looking down on me for speaking English. Finally at the end when we paid she told me I should act nicer when asking for a bag. Insane to act so rude and then expect people to act like you’re above them. Will never come back here.
The pharmacist was very kind. When I sprained my ankle, she provided me with the right medication and even bandaged it to prevent the wound from getting worse!
I came here while backpacking around Europe, and I had almost run out of my much-needed medication. The pharmacist was amazing, she was able to order it in for me at a really reasonable price, and I was able to pick it up before my train left the next morning! I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done without that medication, and I’m so thankful that they were able to get it for me. Customer service was also great!
They are friendly. However, we have come back from France one month already. Still no tax refund claimed. I sent e-mail for reply many times. Just one reply said we will check. Then no more response. Would you please follow up my request?
Aprium Pharmacie de la Plaine
| Address | 48 Pl. Jean Jaurès, 13006 Marseille |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 04 91 48 77 94 |
Tip top !
Super
On Pas Chassé, the salesman Jonathan was the most efficient and efficient we could have hoped for in terms of premium service 💫💖
Thank you again
Well, it's a shame because it's my favorite pharmacy and the other ladies who work there are excellent, BUT THE NEW LADY WITH SHORT HAIR is awful. The way she treats people is unbelievable. It's like she hates life and, frankly, her job too. It's unacceptable to mistreat all the customers like that. She needs to think about it. Even when you go to the pharmacy, you're not exactly thrilled, and at the very least, you need a little patience and to give explanations. But she does nothing, and it's infuriating.
Hello, I came in today for my antidepressants, bringing prescriptions because I couldn't remember which ones had expired. For two of them, I was told they were no longer valid. Yes, for anxiolytics it's 6 months, but not for antidepressants, it's 1 year. In the end, I stupidly tore up the papers. I'm left with one prescription where the dosage had been changed, which I have to correct. The prescription states the treatment is for 6 weeks, or 42 days, but they gave me a box for 28 days. Absolutely ridiculous!
Village Pharmacy Rome
| Address | 183 Rue de Rome, 13006 Marseille |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM Thursday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM Friday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 04 91 48 25 25 |
Super
What a rip-off!!!!!
I went to this pharmacy because it was the on-call pharmacy: I knew what I needed, I didn't have a prescription, they tried to charge me ten euros more, and after midnight it's 20 euros more. So much for access to healthcare in France.
Outrageous! €10 for on-call service before midnight, €20 after: taking advantage of sick people to charge them this price is shameful. In the end, this pharmacy is useless: at that price, you just go find another one. An on-call pharmacy is supposed to be helpful, not a rip-off.
Pharmacy, good welcome and ordering very well, everyone has to do their part. And if we're not happy, we simply change pharmacies. Thank you to the pharmacists who work there. The colors and the tastes are never the same. Have a good day.
Excellent welcome, excellent advice, medications from French laboratories that you won't find anywhere else, and above all, a true neighborhood pharmacy that knows and advises its customers based on their personal experience. A far cry from the large, impersonal pharmacies where the only concern is profit.
Pharmacie Jeanne d'Arc
| Address | 61 Bd Jeanne d'Arc, 13005 Marseille |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM Thursday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM Friday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM Saturday: 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 04 91 48 24 61 |
Advice, prevention, and kindness are the watchwords of this pharmacy. A truly local service, with a friendly, professional, and always attentive team. Thank you for your warm welcome and the quality of your advice!
The pharmacy was a complete farce today. Anyone can call themselves a pharmacist. I went in with a problem, and I was the one who gave them the names of the medications, since the two so-called pharmacists are supposed to know their job. It's up to them to tell me what to take, instead of saying, "Oh, I don't know," or "Oh, well, you can just take Doliprane." It's outrageous! The man was so arrogant, saying, "Yeah, well, we don't have any, it's prescription only." At the pharmacy, we're supposed to feel safe, not like we're in the projects where these two clowns are guarding a neighborhood and I'm bothering them. So, fire your team immediately and hire competent people for France!
I would like to point out that on the day I went, an Asian man was present, as well as a young woman of North African descent. I hope these descriptions satisfy you before you claim I'm a liar. MR. MANAGER, WHO DARED TO TELL ME SHE SHOULD JUST TAKE DOLIPRANE?
I love this pharmacy, the staff are lovely. They take the time to explain everything. They're friendly and when your medication is out of stock, they even tell you which other pharmacy carries it, thank you!
I received a call today from an absolutely charming and pleasant lady who gave me excellent advice and took the time to speak with me. Thank you to Nassima (I hope that's the correct spelling). Very dedicated and professional.
Reading the comments, I realize that another customer had the same bad experience as me when I went to get emergency contraception last year. The pharmacy assistant also asked me when I had last used it and how many times I had used it. I went again in March and once more received inappropriate questions from another assistant, such as when I had last had sex. I felt very embarrassed and each time I found their attitude humiliating.
PHARMACIE PLANCHE Marseille 13001
| Address | 1 Bd de la Libération, 13001 Marseille |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | 04 91 62 09 94 |
I visited this pharmacy while experiencing clear asthma symptoms, chest tightness, blocked nose, shortness of breath, and explained that I had forgotten my inhaler in the UK, as I hadn’t had an episode for several months. Despite the visible signs of my condition, the pharmacist refused to provide a Ventolin inhaler, stating that I didn’t have a prescription.
I understand that French regulations require a prescription for this type of medication. However, a doctor I saw afterwards explained that in apparent emergency situations, pharmacists have a duty of care and can offer a temporary solution or actively direct the person to medical help.
In my case, it was a passer-by, a complete stranger, who kindly offered me her own inhaler after seeing me leave the pharmacy in distress.
I’m sharing this experience not to cause harm, but to encourage a more compassionate and supportive approach in urgent situations, especially for travellers who may find themselves without access to their regular treatment.
I have been a customer of this pharmacy for about 3 years, their customer service has always been outstanding.
However, today I had a really bad experience with one the attendants (never seen her before) she had no patience whatsoever, asked me to send my mutuelle details by email and then said it was not working and I had no rights, I tried to explain to her that i had sent her my mutulle details for 2024 but somehow the computer was wrongly showing last year's but as my french is not very good she just told me that I needed to pay the difference in order to have my prescription.
I left this pharmacy and went to another one just around the corner and all was well and fine and I got my prescription and did not have to pay anything.
Young female pharmacist speaks good English and she is very good her job. Highly recommend this pharmacy.
If you don't speak French, the staff here speak English. And they are super nice
amazing Place
Tips for Choosing and Using a Pharmacy in Marseille
Navigating the healthcare system in a new city can be daunting, but a good pharmacy can act as your first line of defense. Here are some practical tips to ensure you get the best possible care and value during your time in Marseille.
1). Understand the “Pharmacie de Garde” System
Pharmacies in France cannot all stay open 24/7. If you need medication late at night, on a Sunday, or during a public holiday, you must locate the “pharmacie de garde” (on-call pharmacy). You can find the nearest one by checking the door of any closed pharmacy, which will post a list of open locations, or by calling 3237.
2). Bring Your Carte Vitale or EHIC/GHIC
If you are a French resident, always carry your Carte Vitale (green health card) to ensure direct billing and minimal out-of-pocket costs. For EU or UK travelers, having your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) will allow you to access state healthcare and reimbursements for prescribed medication at French rates.
3). Don’t Underestimate the Pharmacist’s Role
In Marseille, as in the rest of France, pharmacists are often the quickest way to solve a minor health problem. If you have a rash, a mild infection, or a headache that won’t quit, skip the long wait at the emergency room and ask to speak to the pharmacist. They have private consultation booths for discretion.
4). Check for the “Pharmacie de Garde” App
While local knowledge helps, technology is faster. Downloading an official app like “Mon Pharmacien” or using the 3237 service website can instantly show you which pharmacies are currently open in your specific arrondissement, saving you a long walk or drive.
5). Ask for Generic Medications
French law encourages the use of generic drugs (“médicaments génériques”). When a doctor prescribes a brand name, the pharmacist will often offer a generic substitute that is biologically identical but significantly cheaper. You have the right to refuse the generic, but accepting it usually means you pay nothing out of pocket after state insurance coverage.
Choosing the right pharmacy ensures that your health needs are met with expertise and care, whether you are dealing with a sudden flu or managing a chronic condition. The establishments listed above represent the best of what Marseille has to offer, combining medical authority with the warm, personalized service that defines this vibrant Mediterranean city.
By familiarizing yourself with how the local system works and knowing where to go when you need help, you can navigate your health journey in Marseille with total confidence.
