The Vieux-Port is the oldest part of Marseille and the city's geographical and emotional centre. Greek sailors founded Massalia on its eastern shore around 600 BC, and the harbour has been in continuous use ever since — first for trade with the Eastern Mediterranean, later for the slave trade, then for fishing and pleasure boats. Today the fishing fleet still ties up along the Quai des Belges and sells the morning catch directly from the quay; the rest of the port is packed with sailing boats and small motor cruisers.
The 2013 redesign by Norman Foster swept the southern quay clear of cars and added a mirrored steel canopy (l'Ombrière) that throws upside-down reflections of the crowds below — popular with photographers, divisive with locals. Walking around the port takes about 45 minutes. The free shuttle ferry (the César) crosses between the Hôtel de Ville and the Place aux Huiles in a couple of minutes — short and fun. Sunset on the southern quay, looking back at Notre-Dame de la Garde lit gold above the rooftops, is one of the standard Marseille moments.