The Urban Walk of Marseille

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Marseille

  Heatwave? I lower the temperature: - 8 water points on our route - slow rythm without time pressure - time slots early morning or end of afternoon - sea breeze and numerous zones in the shade - breaks in wooded parks - sun cream at your disposal

  1 minute • Admission ticket free
• 2
  Le Vieux Port

  The Old Port is the meeting point and destination of our great visit to Marseille. We start here with an introduction at this wonderful hike. Who I am, what are we going to do, what surprises I have for you in my backpack, and what are your expectations for this tour. And then, the Old Port signs the foundation of Marseille. From antiquity to Louis XIV, the city developed around this emblematic space. This is an opportunity for us to retrace this history, but also to understand the concepts of Marseille's culture: the relationship between the city and sea, the importance of the port, the importance of the Mediterranean see and the Orient in the life of Marseille's people.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 3
  Vallon des Auffes

  The Vallon ds Auffes is a jewel of Marseille. The most photographed place in the city finds its beauty in the preservation of fisherman houses through centuries. We admire the typical habitat of fishermens, and we take the opportunity to understand how the city was able, during its immense development, to spare this place and preserve it.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4
  La corniche

  Walking along the Corniche Kennedy offers a distant horizon on the sea, an understanding of how Marseille pays homage to Mediterranean culture.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 5
  Palais du Pharo

  Pharo palace & place offers a moment of greenery and magnificent views of the Old Port and the Grand Port of Marseille. In addition, the history of this palace, erected by Napoleon the 3rd, will allow us to understand the considerable influence of this emperor on the development of Marseille. The Marseille of today is truly born from the Second Empire, and we will take the opportunity to study this through a map of the city, by retracing urban development from that time.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6

  The visit of the park and the Villa Valmer is an opportunity to take in a large bowl of greenery. We go from the big blue to the big green, in this forest, typically Mediterranean. Through the history of this place, we will understand all the evolution of Marseille's economic past, from the olive oil trade in the 19th century to the current tourism industry.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 7

  This mythical path will be an opportunity for us to get away from the sea and visit the district of Bompard. The evolution of the habitat, the beautiful bastides of the 20th century. This path will lead us to quietly reach Notre Dame de la Garde, and it will be an opportunity for me to tell you the long History of this place and its influence on Marseille's culture.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 8

  Wlak through the district of Malmousque, its cove and its port, is a delight for everyone. What a calm place! What an art of living! What a beauty! This district with Greek accents reveals all the beauties of Marseille: the importance of its history, the epic of galloping urban development of the last 2 centuries, the beauty of the buildings and the fishermen's habitat, and also, how the people of Marseille takesadvantage of leavin nearby the seaside.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 9

  The way to go back at the Old Port is steep, but fascinating. From above, the view is superb, then we progressively and litterally enter in it, as we enter the city center. Loaded with funny anecdotes, the steepest boulevard in Marseille is absolutely charming. It is also revealing of the culture of Marseille through its very particular habitat, it will be an opportunity for us to take stock of this very particular architecture which forges the buildings of the city center.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 10
  Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde

  Notre Dame de la Garde is the highlight fo the tour: the building is magnificent, the square offers breathtaking views of the city. A visit to the Basilica will be an opportunity to see all the wealth of Marseille, and to understand how the people of Marseille "live" in this so special place. The square will offer us a 360° view on the city, and we will retrace the urban evolution, understand the Marseille of today, see the structure of the city, its monuments, its major points of interest, its spatial extension.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 11
  Old Port of Marseille

  We end our urban hike in the Old Port. We done sports, we visited incredible places, and we learned the history, the geography, the culture of Marseille. We end with smiles, and it is surely the opportunity to drink a beer or a hot chocolate on the terrace of the many cafes of the Cours Estienne d'Orves!

  1 minute • Admission ticket free
• 12

  We pass between the Palais de Justice and the Commerce Court. Emblematic buildings of the Second Empire, strongly marking the power of the French judicial system, they will be an opportunity for us to understand how Marseille has always had, through the ages, a great history of calling into question the central power, the Justice, and the process of law-making.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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