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Sightseeing

Old Port

📍 France, Marseille, Old Port (Vieux-Port)
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4.3/ 5.0
★★★★☆

Introduction

The Old Port is the heart and soul of this ancient port city of Marseille. This old harbor full of white sailboats and yachts, surrounded by street life and history, is the start of Marseille's two-thousand-six-hundred-year history and the core to feel this Mediterranean city's street life and harbor flair. Marseille is France's oldest city—about two thousand six hundred years ago the Greeks founded a port city here, and this Old Port (Vieux-Port) is the start of Marseille's birth and growth, the city's heart for over two thousand years. This old harbor deep in the city is ringed by the city on three sides; now hundreds of white sailboats, yachts and fishing boats are moored, masts thick, white sails dotted, blue water and blue sky reflecting, forming a vivid classic Mediterranean harbor picture. Around the Old Port is the most lively, life-filled area of Marseille: early morning, a fish market with fishers selling fresh catch is at a corner of the port, full of street life; on the square by the port stands a huge mirror-canopy (shade mirror roof) designed by a renowned architect, reflecting the port and crowd, with modern artistic flavor; around are restaurants, cafés and seafood houses (try the authentic bouillabaisse). From the Old Port you can take a cruise to Île d'If, the Calanques and more. Strolling this ancient, vivid harbor, seeing the thick masts, the lively fish market, feeling Marseille's street life and harbor flair, is intoxicating. Explore Marseille, stroll the historic Old Port, and feel the heart and soul of this Mediterranean port city—an unmissable sight in Marseille.

Highlights

01
Heart of the Port City
The start of Marseille's birth and growth, the city's heart for over two thousand years.
02
Forest of Masts
The harbor is full of white sailboats and yachts, a classic Mediterranean picture.
03
Fish-market Life
A fishers' fish market at a port corner, full of street life.
04
Mirror Canopy
A huge mirror shade roof by the port reflects the harbor and crowd, modern art flavor.

🛈 Practical Info

OutdoorThe Old Port is free to stroll; the fish market is mostly early morning.
CruisesFrom the Old Port take cruises to Île d'If and the Calanques.
FoodSeafood houses by the port serve bouillabaisse; mind dining hours.
PickpocketsThe port has many tourists; watch your belongings.
CombineCombine with Notre-Dame de la Garde and the Panier old town.

💡 Tips

Stroll the historic Old Port and feel the heart and soul of Marseille's Mediterranean port city.
Marseille is France's oldest city; the Old Port is its start over two thousand years ago.
Early morning a fishers' fish market at a port corner; a huge mirror shade roof by the port.
From the Old Port take cruises to Île d'If and the Calanques.

FAQ

Any practical tips for visiting Old Port?

Stroll the historic Old Port and feel the heart and soul of Marseille's Mediterranean port city. Marseille is France's oldest city; the Old Port is its start over two thousand years ago.

Information on this page is compiled from public sources. Opening hours, ticket prices and other details may change — please verify with official sources before your visit.