Old Port of Marseille

Background

The Old Port is the historic heart of Marseille. The Marseille Tourist Office records that Greeks founded Massalia here more than 2,600 years ago, and the port long sustained the growth of this Mediterranean city. From the 17th century, Fort Saint-Jean and Fort Saint-Nicolas at the harbour entrance together formed a defensive landscape. Today the Old Port is still a public space for gatherings, boat traffic and city festivals; watching the harbour, forts, streets and markets here tells you more about the rhythm of life in Marseille than treating it simply as a boat-trip pier. The Old Port is a whole made up of quays and water, and the map pin is only a representative location.

Local customs

• The early-morning fish market and quayside stalls vary with the weather and supplies, and the same traders are not guaranteed every day. Ask first before photographing vendors, fishermen or boat crews
• give way on public walkways and quay passages, and do not crowd around stalls or boat boarding points.

Religion & beliefs

• The Old Port itself is a public harbour with no particular religious etiquette. The historic buildings around the harbour each have their own rules
• when you enter a church or other place of worship, follow that site's dress and quiet requirements.

Travel tips

• The Old Port is in central Marseille, and Vieux-Port metro station makes a good starting point on foot. If you mainly want to stroll the quays, see the fish market and photograph the two forts, allow about 1–2 hours
• for a short ferry ride, a boat trip or visits to nearby museums, add time based on the day's operations and queues. The tourist office notes that the Old Port has a fish market, ferries and walkways leading to the heritage sites around it, but the market, weather and port events may all affect what happens on the day. When you arrive, check the boat companies' notices and quay signs before deciding where to board
• when taking photos at night, watch out for traffic, steps and the water's edge. The water and both quays of the Old Port form one area
• the map marker is placed in the harbour and does not mean the whole Old Port has only one entrance. It is within walking distance of the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations, but plan visiting time for each separately.