This urban coastal walk follows the sea road from the Vieux-Port past the Catalans beach to the fishing cove of the Vallon des Auffes and on towards Malmousque and the Prado. The Marseille tourist office lists a Vieux-Port to stade nautique Florence Arthaud walk of nearly 5 km, passing the Vallon des Auffes, the Maregraphe, the Parc Valmer and the plage du Prophete. A Visorando loop from Notre-Dame de la Garde through Malmousque and the Vallon des Auffes is about 8.3 km and 2 hours 40 minutes without stops. The Corniche Kennedy itself runs for almost 3 km beside the sea. Paths are paved or compact, and the prefecture forest-massif closures do not apply because it is not a forest massif. In July and August, heat is the main constraint.
| Distance | About 5 km one way (tourist office); 8.3 km loop from Notre-Dame de la Garde (Visorando) |
|---|---|
| Duration | About 2 hours 40 minutes for the 8.3 km loop without stops |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Trailhead | Walk from the Vieux-Port; RTM buses serve the Corniche (confirm at rtm.fr) |
| Best season | Year-round |
| Address | Starting point: Quai de Rive Neuve, Vieux-Port, 13001 Marseille; Vallon des Auffes, 13007 Marseille, France |
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Vieux-Port to Vallon des Auffes and Malmousque, 7th arrondissement, Marseille
What to bring
Comfortable shoes, water, sun protection
Location
Starting point: Quai de Rive Neuve, Vieux-Port, 13001 Marseille; Vallon des Auffes, 13007 Marseille, France
43.2851, 5.3522 View on map
Highlights
- Sea views along the Corniche Kennedy
- Fishing cove of the Vallon des Auffes
- Malmousque cove
Tips for visiting
- Walk in the evening in summer for shade and light.
- Stop at the Vallon des Auffes for sunset.
- Use RTM buses to return from the far end (confirm at rtm.fr).
When to visit
Year-round; evening in summer.
Accessibility
Mostly paved and flat along the Corniche; steps lead down to coves.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
How long is the walk?
Almost 5 km from the Vieux-Port to the stade nautique, per the tourist office.
Is there a fire closure?
The prefecture massif closures cover forest massifs; this is an urban coastal walk.