Welcome to Marseille, the vibrant heart of the French Mediterranean! Our active journey starts from one of the city’s most breathtaking viewpoints: the Peron restaurant cliff face, and concludes at the iconic Plage des Catalans.
Join us for a sunny, energetic exploration along the legendary Corniche Président John Fitzgerald Kennedy. We capture the real energy of the Marseillais embracing their Mediterranean outdoor life. Witness locals running, cycling along dedicated paths, and engaging in competitive beach volleyball matches.
We’ve curated a perfect active route that reverse-engineers the typical tour, highlighting key historical context at every turn. Follow our progress:
OUR INVERTED ACTIVE ROUTE & KEY POINTS :
1. THE START: Restaurant Péron & Vallon des Auffes Entrance. We begin on the stunning cliff terrace of Restaurant Péron, looking across to the preserved fishing port of Vallon des Auffes. This port retains its 19th-century charm, named after the auffe (esparto grass) once used by local fishermen to weave nets and ropes.
2. VIEWPOINT: Le Petit Pavillon & Anse de la Fausse Monnaie (False Money Bay). Minutes into our reverse run, we pass this iconic 19th-century structure. Named historically after a cave where counterfeiters were believed to have operated, the bay is defined by landmarks like the Hôtel Les Bords de Mer and the historic restaurant Le Petit Pavillon, which has welcomed leisure-seekers for generations.
3. THE INCLINE: Corniche Incline & Catalans Intersection. As the famous Corniche Président John Fitzgerald Kennedy road begins to descend, we encounter a key intersection. Here, we see the architectural contrast—historic buildings with local graffiti, the flow of bus 84, and the start of the dedicated cycle lanes that are the backbone of Marseille’s active travel.
4. THE GRAND FINALE: Plage des Catalans (Catalans Beach). Our mission is complete! We arrive at Plage des Catalans, the iconic sandy beach nearest the city center and a hive of beach volleyball activity. Right next to it stands the Cercle des Nageurs de Marseille (swimming club), founded in 1921, which has trained numerous French Olympic champions and hosts some of the best competitive swimming events.
This route proves that the Corniche Kennedy is the ultimate Mediterranean adventure, no matter which way you tackle it!
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1 Comment
Active vibes only! ☀ From historic ports to sandy beaches, this is the best of Marseille. Hit that LIKE button if you’d run this route with me! 🌊🚴♂