Marseille – Old Port
I spent a couple of days in Marseille this past week, and the weather was perfect – sunny, warm with a light breeze. Located on the southeast coast of France, Marseille is France’s largest city on the Mediterranean coast and largest commercial port. Marseille is the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.
Getting to Marseille was easy – I just took a bus (about a 40-minute ride) and then transferred to the Metro. Two stops later I was where I wanted to be – right in the center of the Old Port – or Vieux Port.
Old Port Marina
As I exited the Metro station the pungent smell of fish filled the salty air – and I walked right into the daily fish market held on the Quai des Belges. (The scent reminded me of walking down Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco.)
Daily Fish Market
As in many coastal towns, fishing remains important in Marseille and the food economy there is fed by the local catch.
I strolled along the Old Port and admired the beautiful sailing boats, some fishing boats and a few small yachts. There were lines of people waiting to buy tickets to board ferries to Château d’If and the islands, and tourist boats visiting the calanques. Meanwhile locals sprayed down their boats or otherwise readied themselves for a day on the sea.
Getting ready!
I noticed these two men taking care of some maintenance on their boat.
Locals doing a little boat maintenance
On a hill on the south side of the Old Port is Notre-Dame de la Garde, built on the foundations of an ancient fort located at the highest natural point in Marseille, (490 ft).
Notre-Dame de la Garde
Notre-Dame de la Garde
Another thing you can’t help but notice in Marseille is the street art. In addition to murals painted on the sides of building, there are Fiberglass animal sculptures painted in wild colors and patterns, and most notably are some very impressive Salvador Dali pieces right there on the Quai. (More on Marseille’s art scene in a future post.)
Sculpture by Salvador Dali
One thing I cannot fail to mention is the free Ferry Boat that you can take from one side of the port to the other. It’s great if you want to get off your feet for a few minutes and get out on the water. The views back at the city from the ferry are quite nice. In the summer there is also boat service to Pointe Rouge, the port on the South Side of Marseille.
Free Ferry Boat
Following are some more photographs I took through the two days I was in this sea-side city – focused on the water… Enjoy!
Parish church of Saint-Laurent and adjoining 17th-century chapel of Sainte-Catherine
The 12th-century parish church of Saint-Laurent and adjoining 17th-century chapel of Sainte-Catherine, stand quai-side near the Cathedral. It is a fine example of Provençal Romanesque architecture built of pinkish stone from the Couronne quarries.
A view to the Sea
View back to the port as I head out to Sea
Sailors in the distance
Out at Sea
Sunset at Sea, Marseille
The France Project 