A new French operator has launched its first data center in Marseille.

Announced on LinkedIn this week, Phocea DC has inaugurated its first data center.

Plans for a 1,700 sqm (18,300 sqm) data center were announced early last year. The 1.2MW facility can host up to 250 racks.

According to local press, the facility is located in a repurposed 1970s warehouse site at 23 Traverse du Moulin Villette.

Launched in 2023, Phocea aims to offer sovereign services to local communities, businesses, operators, and outsourcing services.

Phocea founder and CEO Damien Desanti has previously held roles at a number of French firms including ITinSell Cloud, ASP Serveur Astek, Orange, and PRO BTP Groupe.

Marseille is home to a number of deployed and upcoming subsea cables, and Digital Realty has several data centers in the city.