The port of Vieux is the birthplace of the city and is one of the most important places of tourism in Marseille in general. This is where the city began as a Greek port around 600 BC. The old port is located in the west of Marseille, near Canberra Street, surrounded by calm blue waters. A stroll around this old harbor gives visitors a feeling of a thriving Mediterranean atmosphere in Marseille.
The vibrant waterfront is a focal point for tourists, and many say that this area is the best place to find authentic bouillabais, or tasty seafood soup which is of Marseille specialty. On the east side of the harbor, the Quai de Plug hosts a fish market every morning.
It is an important commercial port, and Vieux Port is now used primarily by fishing boats and sports crafts. The Old Port is also a starting point for ferries that sail to two famous tourist destinations: Chateau DF and Calanque near the Cassis area.
