Marseille has rapidly evolved into one of Europe’s foremost digital hubs and a strategic gateway for global data centre operations. Owing to its seaside position on the Mediterranean coast, Marseille acts as a major landing point for a dense cluster of subsea cables connecting Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, solidifying its role in international network connectivity. This has propelled the city into a vibrant ecosystem for cloud, content delivery, and interconnection services, with many hyperscale and colocation providers establishing facilities here. Marseille’s position within France amplifies its importance, supporting national connectivity demands and playing a crucial role in digital transformation strategies for enterprises, cloud service providers, and telecom operators both within the region and across broader global corridors.
As of 2024, Marseille hosts over 20 operational data centres, with more facilities continually being announced or under construction. The city’s data centre footprint is closely tied to its nearly 15 subsea cable systems, including the critical SEA-ME-WE and PEACE Cable routes, ensuring low-latency connectivity to more than 60 countries. Connectivity service providers, content delivery networks (CDNs), fintech firms, international cloud giants, and OTT (over-the-top) media platforms are among the top sectors present. Marseille’s data centres offer high-density power, green energy options, and carrier-neutral access, making them attractive for both local and international customers seeking robust uptime and tailored interconnection solutions.
Operating in the Marseille data centre market presents unique challenges for global companies. These include navigating complex cross-jurisdictional privacy laws and regulatory requirements such as GDPR, managing language barriers, and meeting France’s stringent data sovereignty directives. Additionally, the high volume of subsea traffic and rapid facility expansion in Marseille bring challenges related to network scalability, physical and cyber security, and alignment with sustainability targets. Furthermore, with the city being a convergence point for diverse international networks, companies must coordinate multi-vendor and cross-border partnerships to optimise connectivity and maintain resilience.
Having delivered expert Remote Hands services in the Marseille data centre market since 2021, our team brings unrivalled local insight and proven processes to support even the most complex infrastructure needs. Our on-the-ground technicians understand the intricacies of Marseille’s interconnection landscape and are adept at supporting a wide variety of clients, from hyperscalers to fintech and CDNs, on a 24/7 basis. With a strong track record of servicing data centre tenants—ranging from emergency interventions to routine maintenance and deployments—we help global companies overcome operational hurdles, ensure compliance, and achieve seamless integration into the heart of Marseille’s dynamic data centre ecosystem.
