Marseille’s Old Port: history, art and the Mediterranean

Marseille’s Vieux-Port is one of the city ‘s historic squares, the symbol of the city and the focal point of its cultural life. How do you get there, and what does this historic site have to offer?

The Vieux-Port: a Marseilles landmark

Marseille’s Vieux-Port is of historic importance: it’s the heart of the original city, the ancient Greek city of Massalia.

Located at the foot of the famous Canebière and a stone’s throw from the Panier district, it is guarded by the Saint-Jean and Saint-Nicolas forts.

Long marked by the silhouette of Marseille’s transporter bridge, it is today its thousand-reflected Ombrière that has become the symbol of the esplanade. The Vieux-Port is home to numerous bars and restaurants, and offers a typical local atmosphere to visiting tourists.

What’s on offer in Marseille’s Old Port?

The Vieux-Port offers a wide variety of activities. Once a week, fishermen from Marseille’s harbor set up the city’s famous fish market. In the past, they used to gather in a fish market, where they would shout their offers to buyers. Today, this fish market has become the Théâtre de la Criée, which was built in place of the old fish market and has retained its characteristic name. The fish market, meanwhile, has moved along the quays and takes place every morning.

The Ferry Boat, made famous by the writings of Marcel Pagnol, departs from the Vieux Port. The shuttle crosses the port from one end to the other, linking the Hôtel de Ville to the Place aux Huiles. These same quays also provide daily connections to the islands of the Frioul archipelago (and the Château d’If). Just behind the port, you can visit the MUCEM, the Church of Saint-Ferréol and the famous Panier district.

How to get to Marseille’s Old Port

Marseille’s Vieux-Port is one of the city’s nerve centers, accessible by metro and bus. It links the city to all the surrounding towns and villages. The area around Marseille is full of outdoor activities: calanques, protected natural sites and Provencal towns immortalized by Marcel Pagnol. For example, the town of Aubagne and its campsite near Marseille, named after the massif overlooking the town, are just 30 minutes from Marseille’s Old Port.