The Ferry Boat
Entered definitively into posterity with the film "Marius," adapted from Marcel Pagnol's trilogy, the Ferry Boat is also famous for being the smallest maritime crossing in the world (283 meters!). A legend still alive, more symbolic than really useful, but it was not always the case…
HISTORY OF THE FERRY BOAT
In Marseille, the heart of economic activity was the port (the current Vieux Port). There was an early need to connect the two banks of the Lacydon in the shortest time possible. Initially, the Ferry Boat consisted of fishing boats converted to carry passengers across. Often, these were fishermen from the Panier district who had to deliver their fish to the quay opposite the Fish Market, city hall employees, workers in the factories on Rue Sainte, or hospital staff from Hôtel Dieu. The fares were not regulated, and there were sometimes difficulties sharing space with the large sailing ships of the time.
Thus, in 1880, the Ferry Boat line was created, which angered the boatmen's union but excited the population.
Initially, there were three lines:
- City Hall / Place aux Huiles
- Place Vivaux / Fish Market
- Saint Jean / Rive Neuve
With the construction of the transporter bridge in 1905, competition became unbearable, and two lines were discontinued in the 1920s, leaving only the one known today.
AND THEN CÉSAR ARRIVED
In 1931, during the filming of Marius, a scene was shot on the Ferry Boat, with the famous exit of Escartefigues who pronounced "Ferry Boâte" in a Marseille accent. The fleet consisted of two steamboats named Mouche IV and Mouche VII.
In 1952, the shipyards of La Seyne-sur-Mer delivered the famous César, which completed the fleet of Mouche boats. Commissioned by François Paoleschi, a former long-haul sailor and operator of the line, the indefatigable César remained in service for nearly 50 years. Upon his death, his two daughters took over the operation, but the two now obsolete Mouche boats were stopped. Only the valiant César continued to make the crossing.
In 1984, the line became municipal, preserved as an element of the Provençal maritime heritage, preventing the ships from being sunk. Gaston Deferre then spoke of it as a "poisoned gift" when signing the deed.
César had his moment of glory, notably by transporting the All Blacks during the Rugby World Cup in 2007. From that date, the crossing became free of charge.
THE FERRY BOAT TODAY
The indefatigable César remained in service until 2008, replaced by a more ecological model, the water coach "Mille Sabords." Energy-efficient and capable of multiplying rotations with minimal impact on the environment, it can accommodate around 45 people on board with a range of 18 hours. The Mille Sabords sports a modern look but is nonetheless inspired by the César.
As modernity dictates, the new vessel is much faster and completes the crossing in 1 minute 15 seconds, compared to a little over 3 minutes for the old César…
Website: http://www.rtm.fr/ferry-boat Contact: 04 91 91 92 10
Hours: Every day from 8:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:15 pm to 4:50 pm (frequency: every 10 minutes) Prices: €0.50