The Old Port

THE OLD PORT: THE MEETING POINT!

Today, it's one of Marseille's iconic spots. It's the natural meeting place for all Marseille locals and visitors alike. It's where you come to feel the atmosphere of Marseille, amidst the fish market and the hustle and bustle of downtown. On nights when OM (Olympique de Marseille) plays, Marseille bars broadcast the match, and supporters come to celebrate victories on the Old Port.

If you want to visit Marseille, it's at the Old Port that you'll find ticket offices and the starting point for many excursions: If you're wondering what to visit in Marseille, the Little Train of Marseille will take you through the city to discover the tourist sites; you can visit the islands of Marseille and the calanques, or rent a boat…

Many of Marseille's monuments are nearby. Among the must-sees are the Fort Saint Jean, the Saint Ferréol les Augustins Church, the Cathedral of the Major…

You can also rent a Segway to explore the city differently. Go ahead, it's not that complicated ;-) Otherwise, bike rental is also possible.

Finally, if all these excursions have whetted your appetite, you're in the right place. This is where you'll find the largest concentration of restaurants in Marseille!

But let's go back a bit to the Old Port neighborhood and its history…

FOUNDING OF MASSALIA: THE LEGEND OF PROTIS AND GYPTIS

Marseille and its port have twenty-six centuries of shared history because, according to legend, the city was born here on the shores of this marshy cove. An ideal harbor that protects from the sea and enemies, the cove of Lacydon was adopted by Greek settlers who created Massalia there. The site chosen from the sea reflects the concerns and logic of these sailors. The legend (which still sparks debate today) tells us that Protis, coming from Phocaea in Greece, founded the city around 600 BC. Aristotle in his "constitution of Marseille" recounts this legendary episode:

"The Phocians who founded Marseille were traders from Ionia. One day, King Nannos - that was his name - welcomed Euxene from Phocaea. Now, on the very day of his arrival, Nannos was celebrating his daughter's wedding. Indeed, Euxene was invited to attend the nuptial banquet. The wedding was to proceed as follows: after the meal, the young girl was to enter the ceremony room and offer a cup of wine mixed with that of her future husband. When the young girl entered, she gave the cup, either by chance or for a reason known only to her, to Euxene. The young girl's name was Petta. Once this was done, the father, believing that this offering corresponded to the divine will, consented to this union. Euxene therefore took Petta as his wife and lived with her, not without changing his name to Aristoxenus. There is still in Marseille a family descended from this woman: they are the Protiads, Protis being the son of Euxene and Aristoxenus."

Justin, in his abridged histories of Philip, takes up Aristotle's account, changing the names: Petta becomes Gyptis, and Euxene is called Protis (the first). The tribe of King Nunn is that of the Segobriges, a Celtic-Ligurian people. Protis receives as dowry the cove on which he founds the city that will become Marseille. Temples are built in homage to Artemis and Poseidon, and other Greek sailors unite with indigenous women. This is the beginning of the city-state of Massalia. The Gauls adopt the more advanced Greek culture. Marseille will remain for a long time like a little Greece in the midst of barbaric Gaul. However, a few years later, tensions arise between the Celtic-Ligurian tribes and the increasingly numerous Greek colonists. From then on, the city will never cease to live under their threat.

THE OLD PORT AT THE HEART OF MARSEILLE'S HISTORY

The entrance to the Old Port was protected by a heavy chain stretched across it on each side at nightfall. This was taken by the Spanish during the attack and looting of the city in 1423. The famous chain was taken as a trophy and still sits in the Cathedral of Valencia.

The quays were built between the 15th and 17th centuries. At the end of the 16th century, the two oldest buildings in the city were constructed: the Hôtel de Cabre and the Diamond House which are a must-see in Marseille!

In 1666, Louis XVI ordered the extension of the city: the ramparts were demolished, and the city could finally expand on all sides of the port. Indeed, for centuries, Marseille was a large city within a very small space. The city, choked by its walls, offered only a restricted area and had become too narrow to contain its expansion.

Fort Saint Jean and Fort Saint Nicolas were built in the 18th century, offering proper protection to this strategically important port. In 1719, the health facility of Frioul, on the islands of Marseille, was built to facilitate the quarantine of ship crews coming from distant lands. Unfortunately, this ingenious facility would not suffice to counteract the terrible epidemic of the Black Death that struck the city shortly thereafter in 1720.

THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND THE END OF THE CENTRAL ROLE OF THE OLD PORT

Long envisaged and desired, the extension of the Old Port nevertheless did not materialize despite numerous projects in that direction. However, around 1840, the small port could no longer contain the increasingly intense maritime traffic. Becoming the second port in France, Marseille became an important national issue. It was finally the government that decided and ordered in 1844 the construction of the new basin of La Joliette. To connect the new port to the old one, a new road was laid out: the Imperial Street, now called the Republic Street.

In 1849, the waters of the Durance arrived in the city. This was a major event in Marseille's history, which would be commemorated by the construction of the Palais Longchamp in 1869. Thus began the industrial boom of the Phocaean City. Canneries, oil mills, factories, soap factories, sugar refineries, and flour mills developed rapidly…

In 1845, the Saint Charles Station was built on a hill, facilitating access to the city and the transport of goods. In 1848, the Corniche Promenade was created, and omnibus and tramway services were introduced. The issue of transportation became crucial in this expanding territory. The end of the 19th century saw the city's peak. "International trading port," "major passenger port," the port of Marseille was the connection with the colonies of North Africa and the Far East.

THE SARDINE THAT BLOCKED THE OLD PORT

A joke if ever there was one, this well-known expression throughout France symbolizes the high spirits of the people of Marseille. This popular expression, which appeared in the 19th century, means "a tall tale", but is nonetheless based on a true story.

It all started in 1779, in the midst of the war against the English. An agreement for the release of prisoners of war was concluded between the two enemy camps. The French prisoners released under the agreement boarded the frigate "La Sartine," named after Louis XVI's Minister of the Navy. To avoid being sunk by the English ships that controlled the Mediterranean at the time, the ship flew a white flag that was supposed to guarantee its integrity during the voyage. Unfortunately, in circumstances still unclear, the ship was hit by two cannon salvos from the British fleet off Cape Saint Vincent. The command of La Sartine was killed in this attack, and the ship was seriously damaged. On May 17, 1780, La Sartine arrived in the harbor of Marseille. The imposing ship ran aground at the entrance to the port, and due to the size of its hull and masts, it temporarily paralyzed the port's activity.

The good humor and self-deprecation of the people of Marseille did the rest. The story has now become a symbol for the Marseillais, who are always teasing the "estrangers," but also for the rest of France, which sees in it the personification of Marseille's exaggeration.

The Old Port Today

Having lost its central economic dimension, the Old Port has become both a social and cultural center of the city. The traditional fish market and its fishing boats maintain the image of a city turned towards the sea. The bars, restaurants on both sides make it an essential walking spot.

In 2012, the quays became semi-pedestrian for the event "Marseille European Capital of Culture 2013." The transformation of the Old Port was completed in 2020.

Nowadays, the canopy is part of the landscape and is adopted by many Marseillais, as well as tourists who come to photograph themselves there, taking advantage of the mirror effect.

Pedestrianization has gained ground and now concerns the lower part of the Canebière to the Saint Louis, Belsunce course. Beautiful walks in perspective.