La Timone

La Timone metro station

La Timone metro station is located in Marseille, France. It is on line 1 of the Marseille metro, also known as the blue line. The station is located in the city’s 5th arrondissement, near the La Timone hospital.

La Timone is an important station for Marseille’s residents, as it serves several renowned medical and university institutions. La Timone Hospital, one of the region’s leading hospitals, is close to the station. The Marseille Faculty of Medicine, part of the University of Aix-Marseille, is also nearby.

Due to its strategic location, La Timone station is often frequented by students, patients, healthcare professionals and local residents. It is an essential point of access to the hospital, university and other nearby establishments.

The station is predominantly tiled in green, with frescoes of blue and white trees at the station’s western entrances, and yellow and blue tiles on the hospital side. Portraits of famous doctors can be seen on the validation floor.

Inauguration of the station

Marseille’s La Timone metro station was inaugurated on March 22, 1992. This was part of the extension of Marseille’s metro line 1 to the south of the city, which also included the opening of Baille and Castellane stations. The extension of line 1 made it possible to serve important new districts and institutions, including La Timone hospital and Marseille’s Faculty of Medicine. Since its inauguration, La Timone station has become a major access point for Marseille residents traveling to this area.

Where does the name come from ?

Marseille’s La Timone metro station takes its name from the nearby hospital, Hôpital de La Timone. La Timone hospital is a major medical facility in the region, and its name is itself inspired by a local toponym.

The toponym “La Timone” comes from the Provençal “la timouna” meaning “the little grave”. It refers to a small prehistoric tomb or tumulus that would have been present in the area. The name was later extended to the hill on which the hospital was built, and to the metro station that serves it.

The name of the La Timone metro station is thus directly linked to the eponymous hospital and to the local history of the Marseille region.

Where to go from La Timone ?

From Marseille’s La Timone metro station, you can get to a number of popular destinations. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Vieux-Port de Marseille: Take metro line 1 north to Vieux-Port – Hôtel de Ville station. This will take you to the heart of Marseille, where you can enjoy the Vieux-Port, restaurants, stores and entertainment.
2. Le Panier: Get off at the Vieux-Port – Hôtel de Ville station and explore the historic Panier district. Take a stroll through the picturesque alleyways, visit the Vieille Charité and discover the charming atmosphere of this district.
3. Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde: Take metro line 1 to Estrangin – Préfecture station, then take bus 60 to Basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde. This famous hilltop basilica offers panoramic views over the city.
4. Parc Longchamp: Get off at the Cinq Avenues – Longchamp station, and you’ll arrive at Parc Longchamp, a magnificent park featuring the Palais Longchamp, landscaped gardens, museums and fountains.
5. Calanques de Marseille: Take metro line 1 to Castellane station, then catch a bus or cab to the Calanques de Marseille. These spectacular rock formations offer superb hiking trails and picturesque beaches.

Don’t forget to check timetables and connections for your specific destination, as these may vary.

Many public transport lines pass through La Timone metro station: 12, 128, 125, 40, 52, 54, 72, 91 and 540.

What’s nearby?

In the vicinity of the La Timone metro station in Marseille, you’ll find several establishments and points of interest. Here are just a few of them:

1. Hôpital de La Timone: This is the main institution located near the station. Hôpital de La Timone is a renowned university hospital offering specialized medical services.
2. Marseille Faculty of Medicine: La Timone station is close to the Marseille Faculty of Medicine, part of the University of Aix-Marseille. This is a major medical teaching and research center.
3. Parc de la Timone: Not far from the station, you’ll find the Parc de la Timone. It’s a pleasant green space where you can relax, take a walk or enjoy an outdoor break.
4. Cinemas: Close to the station, you’ll find a cinema where you can see the latest films.
5. Restaurants and shops: In the vicinity of La Timone, there are a number of restaurants, cafés and shops where you can dine, shop or enjoy a gourmet break.

These are just a few examples of the places and establishments close to the La Timone metro station. There are also other services and amenities in the vicinity to meet the needs of residents, students and visitors alike.