42 Marseille: Coding at a Crossroads in the Mediterranean

"Nestled in the heart of Marseille, just steps from the iconic Old Port, 42 Marseille blends rigorous tech training with the cultural richness of the Mediterranean. "
A stone-throw away from the MUCEM and Notre-Dame de la Garde (also affectionately referred to as La Bonne Mère), 42 Marseille’s students enjoy idyllic training conditions.

Located in the heart of Marseille, just a few steps from the iconic Old Port, 42 Marseille is rooted in one of France’s most vibrant and culturally rich cities. A stone-throw away from the MUCEM and Notre-Dame de la Garde (also affectionately referred to as La Bonne Mère), 42 Marseille’s students enjoy idyllic training conditions.

Furthermore, as a Mediterranean crossroads, Marseille offers a rich mix of cultures, languages, and cuisines. Being based in the city center means students are surrounded by an incredible diversity of restaurants, cafés, and street food inspired by the entire Mediterranean basin. Student life naturally extends beyond the campus walls, into a city that is lively and creative.

A Campus Anchored in Marseille’s DNA

42 Marseille is an initiative led by CMA CGM, the world’s leading French shipping and logistics group. Founded in Marseille in 1978, CMA CGM has kept its headquarters in the city ever since, making this campus a natural extension of its long-term commitment to the region. As a French-Lebanese company, CMA CGM is also behind 42 Beirut, reinforcing a vision of education that brings together geographies and cultures.
As one of the newest campuses in the 42 network, 42 Marseille currently counts 150 workstations, and welcomed its very first Piscine in July 2025!
Since then, the campus has held 2 additional Piscines in 2025, welcoming their first ever cohort in November of the same year. The campus plans to hold 3 more Piscines in 2026. Piscines in Marseille are intense like everywhere else, but they also come with a distinct twist. Here, a 20-minute walk can take students from debugging code to the beach. The contrast between focus and freedom is part of what makes the experience special. In fact, the very first Piscine ended with a beach party!
“Swimming pools are great” the team likes to say, “but the sea is nice too!”

An Unconventional Model, Already Recognized

We all know for a fact that 42’s peer-to-peer, project-based learning model is unlike anything found in traditional education. But in Marseille, resistance was minimal. As the 8th campus in France, 42 Marseille benefited from the groundwork laid by the network’s earlier campuses. The model was already well understood and recognized by local institutions and companies.
Since its opening, 42 Marseille has attracted strong interest from both local and national organizations. CMA CGM naturally plays a key role, given its significant needs in technology, data, and digital transformation. However, partnerships extend well beyond logistics. Potential partners from different industries, and with different needs, have already approached the campus and are already showing great interest in the students’ versatility!

Looking Ahead

The next major milestone for 42 Marseille is its first cohort entering their Professional Experience after completing the Common Core. Building and expanding a strong partner network is now a top priority, ensuring students can transition smoothly into internships and jobs that match their ambitions.
42 Marseille is still young, but it is already carving out its place. Moving forward, the campus remains focused on nurturing talent, strengthening industry ties, and staying true to the values that define the 42 model: accessibility, community, and empowerment… under the Marseille sun!