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Between the events held at the Palais du Pharo and those hosted at the CEPAC Vélodrome, our selection for the start of the new season includes five dates. Here’s the essential information you need to locate the venues, plan for the pace of each event, and make time to explore Marseille.
The 41st SOFMER Conference, to be held from Wednesday, September 23, through Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Palais du Pharo, will bring together physicians, researchers, healthcare providers, and rehabilitation professionals for three days.
The scientific program, which will begin on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m., will continue until 6:45 p.m. Thursday will be the busiest day, running from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., followed by a final series of sessions on Friday, starting at 8:00 a.m. Since the sessions start early, arriving the day before will allow you to begin the conference at a leisurely pace.
The Palais du Pharo, which faces the entrance to the Old Port, offers an iconic setting. When the last session ends, the waterfront naturally invites you to extend your day by the water.
On Thursday, September 24, and Friday, September 25, AIM 2026 will take place at the CEPAC Vélodrome. The event, which will bring together companies, decision-makers, and experts, will address artificial intelligence, innovation, and economic transformation.
Doors will open at 6 a.m., allowing presentations to begin at 7 a.m. on both days. The AIM program, which will alternate between conferences, meetings, and networking sessions, will take place at a venue typically associated with major sporting events. To reach the Vélodrome, take Metro Line 2, which runs directly from Joliette to Rond-Point du Prado.
Since you'll be leaving so early, we recommend that you plan your route the night before. Our 24-hour front desk can also help you book a taxi or a private car service.
The Penser public association , which will be celebrating its 30th anniversary, invites participants to join the event on Thursday, October 8, and Friday, October 9, 2026. The gala evening will begin on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. on the Terrasse de la Provence, while the conference will take place at the Palais du Pharo on Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
This event, aimed at professionals in public and institutional communications, features an evening dedicated to networking, followed by a full day of discussion and sharing experiences. Between these two highlights, staying near the waterfront makes it easy to soak up the atmosphere of Marseille, far from the confines of the workplace.
On Wednesday, October 14, and Thursday, October 15, 2026, Top Transport Europe will return to the Palais du Pharo, located at 58 Boulevard Charles Livon. This event, which brings together decision-makers in the transportation and logistics sectors with companies in the industry, is organized around targeted interviews.
When the meetings begin on Wednesday at 7:30 a.m., the day will continue until 7:30 p.m., followed by a professional networking event. On Thursday, the discussions will resume from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The 54th UPBM Conference, which will bring together educators and professionals in the fields of biology, biochemistry, and biotechnology, will take place from Friday, October 16, through Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the Palais du Pharo.
Friday will be devoted to tours. Saturday will feature a combination of lectures, the Laboratory Expo, and a gala evening, while Sunday will be dedicated to networking, workshops, and the general assembly. Since the schedule varies each day, we recommend reviewing the program in detail before booking your travel arrangements.
If you arrive with documents or belongings, our 24-hour luggage storage facility allows you to drop off your items before your room is ready or store them after you check out.
The Palais du Pharo is located at the entrance to the Old Port. Depending on the time of your appointment, our team can recommend a route and arrange for a taxi or a private car service. For AIM, the M2 metro line connects Joliette to Rond-Point du Prado, a station that serves the Vélodrome area.
The surface transit network offers another option with RTM Line 83, which connects Arenc Euroméditerranée, the Old Port, and the Prado Roundabout, with service available until 1:00 a.m. A buffer period early in the morning allows time for waiting and access checks.
A business trip can also leave you a little time to explore the city. From the hotel, the Mucem is a 2-minute walk away, and Fort Saint-Jean and the Major Cathedral are a 3-minute walk away. According to our neighborhood guide, the Panier is a 5-minute walk away and the Old Port is a 10-minute walk away.
This proximity—which allows you to tailor the walk to the time you actually have available—leads to the J4 esplanade for a short break. When you have more free time at the end of the day, the stroll continues through the narrow streets of Le Panier or along the Old Port, without adding any complicated logistics to your work schedule.
Located at 22 Rue Mazenod, the Hôtel du Mucem by Esteem is a 3-star hotel with 29 air-conditioned rooms. Its atmosphere is inspired by the colors of Provence and the Mediterranean, in keeping with the surrounding neighborhood.
Our Single, Comfort, and Superior rooms, ranging in size from 12 to 20 m², feature high-speed Wi-Fi, a hospitality tray, a safe, and an LCD TV. Comfort and Superior rooms can be configured with a double bed or two separate beds, depending on availability.
SOFMER and AIM will take place in September. In October, Marseille will host, among other events, the 30th anniversary of Penser public, Top Transport Europe, and the UPBM conference.
Metro Line 2 serves Rond-Point du Prado from Joliette. Bus Route 83 also connects the Arenc and Old Port areas to Rond-Point du Prado.
Yes. The luggage storage service at the Hôtel du Mucem by Esteem is available 24 hours a day, both before check-in and after check-out.
The Mucem, Fort Saint-Jean, La Major, Le Panier, and the Old Port are all just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel. The choice simply depends on how much time you have before your next appointment.
Are you planning a business trip to Marseille this fall? Book your stay on the official website to enjoy the peace and quiet of your room after conferences and take in the waterfront when your schedule allows.
