Old Port of Marseille

The Vieux Port (on okkzitanisch - Provençal lo port Vielh or lou Pouart Viei ) since its inception in ancient times both the oldest port of Marseille, as well as the historical and cultural center of the city. By the middle of the nineteenth century the port the economic center of Marseille, was opened for maritime trade in the Mediterranean and to trade with the French colonies. The port industry then shifted north to the present Marseille Euro port. Today, the Old Harbour is a marina, a popular meeting place and the tourist landmarks of the city. The workshops of the Vieux- Port are protected as historical monuments.

History

Around 600 BC, the Phocaeans landed their ships at Lacydon. In this area, all marine activities of the city concentrated until the 19th century.

On the south bank, the Abbey of Saint -Victor de Marseille was built between the 3rd and the 9th century.

The wharves were under Louis XII. to Louis XIII. built here and the galleys were laid down.

Only in the 19th century presented the 6 m Draft not for the new steamships. 1854 were from 1000 to 1200 ships in the Old Port berth, in a year 18,000 ships over two million tonnage. This corresponded to a quarter of the envelope of Liverpool. During the Second World War there was some damage to the equipment.

On January 3, 1943, Albert Speer, Reich Minister for Armaments and Munitions, the contract for the installation of submarine bunkers for the German Navy in Marseille. As preparation for this was the whole subsequent city district, Old Town, blown up by the Wehrmacht, a large part of the inhabitants deported to this " Rafle de Marseille " the end of January 1943. Unless these people were Jews or immigrants, many of them were in the extermination camps the Germans deported with the help of French police.

After 1948 started reconstruction anchor here today only recreational boats.

The port as a filming location

Marius, Fanny and César, the Marseillaise trilogy of Marcel Pagnol with Raimu were filmed here before the Second World War.

Photography Gallery

The Vieux Port and the Port autonomous

Le Vieux Port 2006

Kai front of City Hall in 1820

Small ships from Provence in the harbor