Free Old Port Tour Marseille

Walk through more than 2,600 years of history and feel the true heartbeat of Marseille alongside passionate local guides.
Take creative photos under the L’Ombrière, the giant mirrored canopy by Norman Foster that has become a modern icon.
Reach the Palais du Pharo, Napoleon III’s gift to Empress Eugénie, and enjoy one of the most spectacular views of the city.

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Discover the beating heart of Marseille with the Free Tour of the Old Port, where the city’s history and daily life blend into a unique Mediterranean atmosphere. The harbor has been the gateway of Marseille for more than 2,600 years, ever since Greek sailors from Phocaea founded the city in 600 BC. Over the centuries, it welcomed merchants, pilgrims and explorers, later serving as a strategic naval base under Louis XIV. Walking along its lively waterfront reveals how the Old Port shaped the character of France’s second largest city and why it remains a symbol of independence and multicultural identity. As fishing boats, yachts and market stalls line the docks, every corner tells a story of transformation, from ancient Greek colony to a bustling European port. It is the perfect place to feel the energy of Marseille through the centuries.

The route takes you to the elegant Church of Saint-Ferréol les Augustins, once connected to the shipbuilders’ guild and later reshaped through numerous renovations. Its history reflects Marseille’s resilience in the face of change. A short walk away, the striking L’Ombrière by Norman Foster offers playful reflections under its mirrored canopy, an irresistible photo stop. Not far from here stands the La Criée Theater, which for centuries functioned as the city’s main fish market before becoming one of Marseille’s most beautiful theaters, now listed as a Historic Monument. Together, these landmarks show how the Old Port has always been a place of commerce, creativity and community, where the rhythm of daily life met the grandeur of civic and artistic expression.

The walk continues at the Abbey of Saint-Victor, one of the oldest Christian sites in France. Built over the tomb of Saint Victor, a Roman soldier martyred in 303 AD, the abbey houses crypts that date back to the 5th century. The journey reaches its highlight at the Palais du Pharo, built by Napoleon III for his wife, Empress Eugénie, though she never lived there. Eventually gifted to the city, the palace became a landmark for international events and cultural life. From its gardens unfolds one of Marseille’s most breathtaking panoramas: the Old Port, the Frioul Islands, and the Château d’If, immortalized by Alexandre Dumas in The Count of Monte Cristo. Here, history and legend merge with stunning scenery. Join the Free Tour of the Old Port today and discover Marseille pint by pint, story by story.

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