The Ombrière by Norman Foster – The Magic Mirror of the Old Port

The Ombrière by Norman Foster – The Magic Mirror of the Old Port

You look up… and surprise! There you are, upside down in the sky. Don’t worry, you’re still in Marseille. What you’re seeing is the Ombrière, a giant mirror canopy suspended right in the heart of the Vieux-Port (Old Port).

Installed in 2013, the year Marseille was crowned European Capital of Culture, this remarkable structure was designed by renowned British architect Sir Norman Foster, in collaboration with landscape architect Michel Desvigne. Their vision? To redesign the Old Port into a more pedestrian-friendly, open, and welcoming space — and to mark the occasion with something modern, useful, and bold.

A ceiling like no other

What they came up with is a massive sheet of polished steel — 46 meters long and 22 meters wide, suspended 6 meters above the ground by just 8 slender columns. Sleek, minimalist… and highly reflective. It captures everything happening below like a giant horizontal mirror.

People walking, bikes zipping past, kids playing, street musicians, tourists snapping photos… it’s all reflected. And that’s the magic: the Ombrière shows Marseille upside down, without distorting it. It reflects movement, light, mood. Sometimes you even see clouds gliding by… or seagulls that seem to soar beneath your feet.

A smart way to bring shade

But this mirror isn’t just for show. In Marseille, we know the sun can be merciless. And with no tall trees or parasols around, this structure also serves a very practical purpose: offering shade. Perfect for waiting for friends, taking a break, or enjoying an impromptu street performance.

It’s become a natural meeting spot. People say “Let’s meet under the Ombrière,” like they’d say “under the clock” or “at the foot of the Good Mother” (that’s the nickname for Notre-Dame de la Garde, by the way).

At first, not everyone was a fan…

When it was first installed, some locals were skeptical — too modern, too cold, not “Marseillais” enough. But little by little, the city fell in love with it. Now, it’s part of the scenery, a symbol of the reinvented Vieux-Port. Modern, yes — but discreet, elegant, and perfectly woven into this historic place.

Fun fact for your next visit

Want to impress someone during your tour? Drop this: Norman Foster, the architect, also designed the Millau Viaduct in France and the Reichstag Dome in Berlin. But here in Marseille, this may be one of his most accessible works — no ticket, no walls, no barriers. Just a public space, open to all, day and night.

And when there’s a big event — fireworks, a concert, or a football match — the Ombrière becomes the perfect spot for unique selfies, with the crowd and the city reflected above your head.