What is special about the harbor's ferry boat?

It is a very short crossing ride

Marseille Old Port Quiz: Vieux-Port, Ferries and Bouillabaisse

This Marseille Old Port quiz walks the busy quays of France's oldest city. Play 10 interactive questions on its founding by Greek sailors around 600 BC, Fort Saint-Jean and Fort Saint-Nicolas, Norman Foster's mirrored canopy, the morning fish market, bouillabaisse, Notre-Dame de la Garde, the MuCEM, the tiny cross-harbor ferry and the Château d'If.

Start Marseille Old Port Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

City
Which city's harbor is the Vieux-Port?
Founders
Who founded the city around 600 BC?
Forts
Which forts guard the harbor entrance?
Canopy
Which architect designed the mirrored canopy on the quay?
Market
What is sold each morning on the Quai des Belges?
Stew
Which fish stew is Marseille's signature dish?
Basilica
Which basilica watches over the city from a hill?
Museum
Which museum of Mediterranean civilizations opened in 2013?
Ferry
What is special about the harbor's ferry boat?
Island
Which island prison appears in The Count of Monte Cristo?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Which city's harbor is the Vieux-Port?
Answer: Marseille
It is France's oldest city.
Q2: Who founded the city around 600 BC?
Answer: Greek sailors from Phocaea
They called it Massalia.
Q3: Which forts guard the harbor entrance?
Answer: Fort Saint-Jean and Fort Saint-Nicolas
They face each other across the channel.
Q4: Which architect designed the mirrored canopy on the quay?
Answer: Norman Foster
It reflects people walking below.
Q5: What is sold each morning on the Quai des Belges?
Answer: Fresh fish
Fishermen sell straight from boats.
Q6: Which fish stew is Marseille's signature dish?
Answer: Bouillabaisse
It is served with rouille sauce.
Q7: Which basilica watches over the city from a hill?
Answer: Notre-Dame de la Garde
Locals call it the Good Mother.
Q8: Which museum of Mediterranean civilizations opened in 2013?
Answer: MuCEM
A footbridge links it to Fort Saint-Jean.
Q9: What is special about the harbor's ferry boat?
Answer: It is a very short crossing ride
It has crossed the port for over a century.
Q10: Which island prison appears in The Count of Monte Cristo?
Answer: Château d'If
Boats leave from the Old Port.

Greek Founders, Forts and Bouillabaisse

Marseille's Old Port, the Vieux-Port, has been the city's heart since Greek sailors from Phocaea founded Massalia around 600 BC, making Marseille France's oldest city. Fort Saint-Jean and Fort Saint-Nicolas guard the harbor entrance, facing each other across the channel.

Every morning, fishermen sell their catch straight from boats at the fish market on the Quai des Belges. Some of it ends up in bouillabaisse, the city's famous fish stew served with rouille sauce. Nearby, Norman Foster's mirrored canopy, built in 2013, reflects crowds walking beneath it.

The MuCEM, a museum of Mediterranean civilizations opened in 2013, is linked by a footbridge to Fort Saint-Jean. High above, the basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, called the Good Mother, watches over the city. A tiny ferry crosses the harbor, and boats leave for the Château d'If, the island prison in The Count of Monte Cristo.

What This Quiz Teaches

Travel fans will enjoy these questions.

Who founded Marseille
What guards the harbor
Which foods it is known for
Which landmarks overlook it
Where boats sail from there

Did You Know?

Marseille was European Capital of Culture in 2013.
The Calanques national park lies just outside the city.
Le Panier is the city's oldest neighborhood.
Pastis is a popular local aniseed drink.
The Marseillaise anthem is named after volunteers from the city.