Selling a Licence IV or III in Marseille
Marseille has 886,040 residents. It is the prefecture of the département (Bouches-du-Rhône, 13). With its population, its shops and its opening projects, it is one of the markets where drinks licences find a buyer most easily.
Marseille is part of “Métropole d'Aix-Marseille-Provence”, which brings together 92 towns and 1,922,626 residents. Project owners often search across the urban area: your buyer may also come from a neighbouring town.
You have two options: a buyback by the firm, with payment within 48 hours of signing, or a sale to project owners in the area, at the best price. The valuation is free and you pay no fees.
The cap on drinks establishments in Marseille
The French Public Health Code (article L3332-1) limits the opening of 3rd category drinks establishments to one 3rd or 4th category establishment per 450 residents. Marseille's indicative cap is 1,968 establishments, not counting tourist accommodation capacity.
Once the number of existing establishments reaches this cap, no new Licence III can be created in the town: existing licences become more sought after. Your expert checks the situation in Marseille when valuing your licence.
The 16 arrondissements of Marseille
Demand varies greatly from one arrondissement to another: the price of a licence in Marseille is read at that level.
| Arrondissement | Postcode | Residents | Indicative cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marseille 1st arrondissement | 13001 | 37,599 | 83 |
| Marseille 2nd arrondissement | 13002 | 24,378 | 54 |
| Marseille 3rd arrondissement | 13003 | 58,029 | 128 |
| Marseille 4th arrondissement | 13004 | 49,363 | 109 |
| Marseille 5th arrondissement | 13005 | 45,702 | 101 |
| Marseille 6th arrondissement | 13006 | 38,476 | 85 |
| Marseille 7th arrondissement | 13007 | 35,173 | 78 |
| Marseille 8th arrondissement | 13008 | 84,683 | 188 |
| Marseille 9th arrondissement | 13009 | 77,406 | 172 |
| Marseille 10th arrondissement | 13010 | 60,317 | 134 |
| Marseille 11th arrondissement | 13011 | 59,883 | 133 |
| Marseille 12th arrondissement | 13012 | 64,399 | 143 |
| Marseille 13th arrondissement | 13013 | 95,112 | 211 |
| Marseille 14th arrondissement | 13014 | 60,505 | 134 |
| Marseille 15th arrondissement | 13015 | 79,161 | 175 |
| Marseille 16th arrondissement | 13016 | 15,854 | 35 |
Where can your licence find a buyer?
In the urban area
The most populated towns in “Métropole d'Aix-Marseille-Provence”:
| Town | Postcode | Residents |
|---|---|---|
| Aix-en-Provence | 13080 | 149,695 |
| Martigues | 13117 | 48,298 |
| Aubagne | 13400 | 47,529 |
| Istres | 13118 | 44,292 |
| Salon-de-Provence | 13300 | 44,194 |
| La Ciotat | 13600 | 38,477 |
| Vitrolles | 13127 | 36,758 |
| Marignane | 13700 | 33,692 |
In the département and beyond
Your licence can be transferred to any town in the département (13) able to receive it. Selling a licence in Bouches-du-Rhône
- Bouches-du-Rhône
- Neighbouring départements
- Towns with 10,000 or more residents
- Marseille
With the authorisation of the prefect of the destination département, it can also move to a neighbouring département:
If your Licence IV is the last one in its town, transferring it to another town requires the mayor's approval. We check this as soon as we value your licence.
Is your licence still valid?
A licence that has not been operated for more than five years is cancelled (article L3333-1 of the French Public Health Code). If your premises are closed, check your deadline: you need to allow time to sign the sale and complete the transfer.