old port

Ideal for a stroll round...lots of eating places....plenty boats...sit in the sun...people watching...impressive renovations & refurbishment in this old part of the city.

The old port is very scenic and it is nice to walk around to take in the sights. It is perfect, that is, until you hit the part near the ferris wheel and the metro entrance where groups of people are openly drinking from whisky bottles and doing what drunk people normally do - engaging in noisy, drunken banter and generally making people uneasy. It's the same thing at night, although the rowdy groups wandering around are more ethnically varied and liquor bottles (and other means for altering the state of consciousness) seem to be discreetly out of sight. I stayed in Marseille right in front of the old port for six days and this was more or less the norm. While I did spot a tough looking character in civilian clothes who had what looked like a flash grenade tucked in his back pocket - which led me to believe he was a police officer - I do believe that some sort of uniformed police presence, the more the merrier, would go a long way in making tourists feel more "at ease."

We started and finished our trip to Marseille by visiting the Old port. Sitting at one of the numerous bars/ restaurants just people watching and getting a tan, whilst supping on a local beer (Cagole) - heaven. When rested you can take a stroll around the port and take in the views and see the fishermen selling their catch at the quay near the metro. The land train can be caught which takes you further afield, but Le Panier and the Cathedral are within easy walking distance.

Centered in the middle of Marseille this is a great place to just walk around and enjoy being outside. While we were there the French air force had a flyover that was amazing but I think regardless of when you are there it is an interesting place to walk about and enjoy. We did take the little train. I know kinda cheesy but it is a great way to see out of the way places that can be difficult to see otherwise.

Starting point for the tourist train to Notre Dame de la Garde and to Le Panier. Used to be famous for the fish ladies sellin the catch of the day, there are not many left nowadays

Loved this area in Marseille.. our hotel was here.. so it was very easily accessible for us. Loads of fishermen in the morning.. so the place smells fishy :) .. but very interesting.. loads of street performers. Nice place to grab an icecream (Amorino is right there), gentle stroll, look at the harbour, people watching, and most of the ferries depart from here.. so a good place to visit if you are in Marseille.

My first visit to Marseille was in 2008 and even though I loved the city and the Old Port, it was also the the first, and only place in Europe that I did not feel save travelling on my own.My second visit was with my family in 2014 and I was surprised how the city changed. There were new, modern museums, it was a lot cleaner around the Old Port. It still had the same charm though, and I could still sit on the harbour for ours watching people and boats coming in and out. A great place to simply watch life go by.

I think everybody visits this place when in Marseille. It's almost the center of Marseille. It's a very spacious place, not too crowded. There's an interesting piece of invention-a glass ceiling. It was fun. This is the old Marseille, a lot of small boats like we see in the movies. Unlike the big yachts( too much hype) in Monaco and Cote d' Azur where you could not even go near. Here the boats are just in front of you. The tourist boats dock is here too. We were there about 5p.m. so we missed the fish market. People were waiting for the sunset at 8p.m. Didn't wait because we have to go early the next day to Arles.Vieux Port is at the end of Rue Canaberie. It's about 15 minute downhill easy walk from the train station. There's a lot of restaurants around. Metro Vieux Port is below and a lot of public buses too. Very cheap fares which we love. Don't miss Marseille if you are in this part of France.Marseille has one of a kind huge (bigger than the Spanish steps) staircase at the train station.

Pretty walk. Lots of restaurants. Some just so so. Active at all hours. Safe. We were there in October 2013. After a cruise that was somewhat of a disaster due to lost luggage by Air France, this was a welcome end to our vacation.

The Old Port area is very scenic in daytime and vibrant in the evenings. A great place to relax with a glass of wine in one of the cafes. It's a nice walk from end-to-end with interesting scenery. The "big mirrored ceiling" is very cool. Great meeting place and perfect place to wind down after a day of sightseeing.

If you like France and want to know more, or feel more, just spend time on the Vieux Port. Such an amazing experience.

As it was near to Christmas time, there was a Christmas Market down by the Ferris Wheel with a fish market behind. I loved walking around and then sitting in a small café with my computer and a glass of wine. This was my favourite stop on the cruise!

Vieux port is a must visit place in Marseille. Situated next to the waters, it is a nice place to chill and have lunch or coffee. Open air, enjoying the sun, it is a lovely place.

Vieux Port is our popular meeting point. We will casually say to our friends, '' meet me in Vieux Port''. I know I know, many here said that Marseilles is a dangerous city, Vieux Port is dirty. But it's a part of our daily life, our landmark. Every early morning, you will find fishermen selling their first catch of the day, every 14th of July ( The French National day) we all gather here to watch firework in the evening, or on the 30th of December at 24:00, firework plus countdown to welcome the new year. We all love Vieux Port, love its lively atmosphere of restaurants, bars, tourist souvenir stalls, street buskers; love it's wide pedestrians walk for an evening stroll after dinner in summer ( since work had been done in 2012 to allow more walking space for pedestrians). Here you can enjoy the most original bouillabaisse ( traditional Marseilles seafood soup), whilst watching a lovely yacht arrives the port and docks there. And now you can try the Ferris wheel as it's been set up for every Christmas period since 2013. At the same time , you can do your Christmas shopping in the temporarily built huts every year for vendors to sell their festive or local products. This time of the year, Vieux Port at night is indeed a sight for sore eyes, you mustn't miss it.

Take a drive from Toulon or even from Monaco and enjoy the view traveling the Côte d'azur or French Riviera until Marseille.