The Old Port of Marseille

It is inconceivable to visit Marseille and not make a stop at the Vieux-Port. As famous as Notre Dame de la Garde or the Canebière, it is a mythical place of the city. The history of the Vieux-Port goes back to 600 BC, when the Phocaeans came to settle in this inlet of the Lacydon. Two forts were erected in medieval times at the entrance to the port. In the middle of the North quay stands the Marseille town hall. A superb building which has the particularity that to reach the first floor, you don't take a staircase, but you go through the building behind.

You will also be told the story of the famous sardine that blocked the port of Marseille. In reality, it was a French three-masted ship, the Sartine, which, sunk by the English at the entrance to the port, effectively blocked it. The distortion of the name of the ship has thus made it a tasty story. From the Vieux-Port, you can contemplate the most picturesque places of Marseille: the Pharo Palace, Notre Dame de la Garde, the popular Panier district. You should take the time to sit on a terrace to enjoy the surroundings of this unique place.

The transporter bridge that linked the two forts at the entrance only exists in photographs and films. However, it belongs to the history of the Old Port. The Old Port is the founding place of the entire city. This is why all the events celebrated by the city's inhabitants always lead them to this place. Now a marina, it is home to many boats, and is used as a home port for the ferryboat to cross it. The fact that Marseille is the European Capital of Culture 2013 has given the opportunity to leave more room for pedestrians in the Vieux-Port than before. This is an additional advantage for a place that is already very popular with tourists from all over the world.