A route through the harbour
After picking up the famous torch in Greece, the Belem will set sail for France to hand over the Olympic flame. Expected to dock on the evening of May 8, the last French three-master will be at the center of an all-day parade in the harbor of Marseilles.
After skirting the beaches of l'Estaque, to the north of the city, the convoy will head south, passing in front of La Joliette, the Anse des Catalans, the Vallon des Auffes and the Anse de la Fausse Monnaie, before parading along the Corniche to the Pointe Rouge.
The Belem will then turn off in front of the Port de l'Escalette, before reaching the Ile du Frioul and lining up to enter the Vieux Port.
How can you get involved?
Boaters and other sea users can take part in this grand parade, subject to certain conditions.
Prior registration is required on the prefecture's website, which lists all participants.
A tonnage of 1,024 vessels has been authorized, defined according to the following criteria: no more than 41m in length for sailboats, 24m for powerboats, and an engine not exceeding 250 hp for the latter.
Jetskis are not allowed, nor are unregistered sailboats, such as beach craft.
We tested the registration system, which is easy to access and fairly intuitive. Once registered, the two-step process is fairly quick.
Numerous restrictions
This event is subject to strict safety regulations, and numerous restrictions will have to be taken into account. Plan your outing as far in advance as possible, as ports along the coast will be closed at certain times. Anchoring will be restricted all along the route, and diving and swimming will be prohibited in the 300m strip for the whole day.
This international event will be very well attended. It's not the first time that the Belem has entered the Old Port, but this time the necessary constraints will apply. So, if you'd like to make the most of this great parade, please plan ahead.
