A ship carrying the Olympic torch arrives in Marseille amid fanfare and high security WFTV [Video]

MARSEILLE, France — (AP) — Huge crowds gathered Wednesday in the southern French city of Marseille, where a majestic three-mast ship carrying the Olympic torch arrived from Greece ahead of a welcoming ceremony at sunset.

Paris Games organizers have promised “fantastic” celebrations in the city, where the Old Port has been placed under high security.

The torch was lit in Greece last month before it was officially handed to France. It left Athens aboard a ship named Belem, which was first used in 1896, and spent twelve days at sea.

President Emmanuel Macron met with the French Olympic athletes who have sailed on Belem with the Olympic torch upon his arrival to Marseille.

“With the arrival of the flame, the country enters the games,” Macron said at the city’s Olympic Marina.

More than a thousand boats will accompany the Belem’s parade around the Bay of Marseille. The ship will dock on a pontoon that looks like …