Immerse yourself in the historic and emblematic heart of Marseillethe Old Port

The Old Port

Like Notre Dame de la Garde, Marseille’s Vieux-Port is one of the city’s symbols, located at the foot of the famous Canebière. Gatherings, major events, fireworks displays – it’s Marseille’s landmark!

Take a selfie under the Ombrière, stroll along the quayside and watch the fishermen heading out to sea, discover the magnificent heritage surrounding the Vieux-Port, take a mini-cruise on the Ferry Boat… There’s no shortage of things to do here! For those with a sweet tooth, don’t miss the fish market every morning, and if you’re more in the mood for flowers, there’s even a flower market on Tuesday and Saturday mornings.

So, why not visit the Old Port under the Ombrière?

A little history

It’s the prestigious stage where Marseille’s history is played out. It was here that the ancient Greek colony of Massalia was born, later to become Roman Massilia, and still around the Old Port that the medieval Marsiho was built. From then on, the entrance to the port was guarded by two forts, Fort Saint-Nicolas and Fort Saint-Jean. Surrounded by limestone hills, the city naturally faces the Mediterranean. The primary vocation of Marseille’s Vieux-Port was trade, and over time, the city forged links with increasingly distant destinations. One of the symbols of the Old Port was the transporter bridge, a metal structure inaugurated in 1905 between the two forts, but unfortunately destroyed after the Second World War. Renovated in 2013, the year of Marseille’s European Capital of Culture campaign (easier access to the port, reduced traffic, creation of an ombrièreToday, the Vieux-Port remains Marseille’s nerve center, under the benevolent gaze of Notre-Dame de la Garde. It’s a marina surrounded by the Hôtel de Ville, Opéra, Saint-Victor and Pharo districts. It’s a popular gathering place and a true symbol of the city.

Did you know?

The legend of Gyptis and Protis is the founding myth that tells of the legendary founding of Marseille (Massalia) around 600 BC by Greek colonists from the city of Phocaea. The myth dates back to the 3rd century BC. It tells of the marriage of Gyptis, daughter of Nann, chief of the indigenous Segobriges, to Protis, a sailor from Phocaea. At her wedding feast, the princess chose to marry the foreigner by presenting him with a cup filled with water. This legend shows that Marseille has always welcomed foreigners. Tourism is a continuation of this legend.

Labelled stores

Made in Marseille

Trabuc gravure et tampons

Stamps, engraving and printing: Trabuc has been awarded the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (Living Heritage Company) label.

What to do in the Old Port

The fish market

From 1909 to 1975, the fish market took place in a “halle aux poissons”, which was none other than the Théâtre de la Criée! Today, the market takes place on the Quai des Belges, right next to the Metro entrance to the Vieux-Port. Every day, from 7.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., you’ll find the stalls of Marseilles’ artisanal fishermen, where the fish are sold “à la criée” by the fisherman’s family entourage. Depending on what’s available, you’ll find scorpion fish (used to make the famous bouillabaisse), red mullet, red mullet, monkfish, sea urchins and much more!

The Marseille Ferryboat

Over 130 years already! Departing from the Hôtel de Ville, the Ferry-boat, a boat dear to Marcel Pagnol, crosses Marseille’s Vieux-Port several times a day. It entered service in June 1880, inaugurating the famous “Mairie-Place aux Huiles” route. In 2010, a more environmentally-friendly, electro-solar-powered ferryboat was launched. Today, the two boats share crossings.

The Church of Saint-Ferréol

More discreet than Notre-Dame de la Garde, the Church of Saint-Ferréol is a 16th-century vestige of Marseille’s Old Port. In the 12th century, the Templar commandery stood on the site of today’s church. After the suppression of the Order of the Temple and the dispersal of its members, the Augustinian monks purchased the buildings in 1369. They began construction of the Gothic church, consecrated in 1542 but completed in 1588. The very Italianate bell tower dates from the 18th century. In 1803, the church became a parish under the name of Saint-Ferréol, in memory of the collegiate church of the same name destroyed in 1794 (on the site of the present-day prefecture).

Originally, the building had 5 bays and 12 side chapels, but urban planning work destroyed two bays in 1804. Following the construction of the Rue Impériale (now Rue de la République), cement-maker Désiré Michel created the new neo-Baroque façade.

Practical information

Head for the islands and calanques of Marseille!

The Vieux-Port is also home to the maritime companies offering excursions to admire Marseille’s calanques. Guided tours of the calanques and islands between Marseille and Cassis (Frioul and Riou archipelagos, etc.) are a must, offering exceptional views of the cliffs plunging into the turquoise waters. From April to October, RTM shuttles run between the Old Port and Pointe Rouge and Estaque.

Restaurants in the Old Port

The Queen Victoria Pub

Pub food in cozy rooms, tasting of cocktails, tapas, shellfish and must-haves such as different hamburgers or camembert gratin.