The Corniche Kennedy

Birth of an emblematic place

The Corniche Kennedy was originally a small customs road from which the town hall decided to kill two birds with one stone by developing on this route between 1848 and 1863, both a peripheral axis with a tramway to facilitate travel to the center city and a pleasant walk with a view of a large part of the Marseille coastline. This initiative also aimed to fight against the unemployment which was rampant in Marseille after the upheavals of the revolution of February 1848. The bourgeois and popular craze was not long in coming, we love this walk by the sea, scanning the horizon and the ships, enjoying the restaurants and refreshments. Everyone dreams of building their country house or small shed there.

Later, with the increasing number of cars, the tramway was withdrawn and a widening project was carried out between 1954 and 1968. The necessary space is then gained by overlooking the sea, destroying part of the existing sheds in the process. The construction includes a promenade and a huge 3km bench installed facing the sea, listed in the Guinness Book as the longest bench in the world (part of it is today decorated by students and associations).

More recently between 2019 and 2022, the part dedicated to cars was reduced and a cycle path added. The road is also closed to cars 1 Sunday per month in order to allow pedestrians to discover the Corniche in the best conditions. Apart from these privileged moments, the best is to walk the corniche in the morning, because the road remains quite noisy. It is the daily meeting place for amateur fishermen and joggers.

Gastronomie

All along the Corniche Kennedy, in the middle of the rich 19th century villas, numerous hotels and restaurants will be happy to welcome you with a breathtaking view of the sea and the Frioul islands. There are several gourmet restaurants renowned for their traditional Provençal cuisine. For an optimal authentic culinary experience, it is recommended to taste bouillabaisse at one of the signatory restaurants of the "Bouillabaisse Charter" created in 1980. Because what was initially a typical poor man's dish from Marseille, fish broth made by fishermen with the day's unsold produce, can no longer be improvised in its noblest version.

Pedestrian Corniche: Dates and times

The "La voie est libre" (“The road is clear”) operation on the Corniche gives access one day per month to pedestrians and soft mobility (bicycles, scooters, rollerblades, etc.) to the space usually reserved for vehicles. Free cultural and sporting activities for all ages are organized along the route and food trucks are installed. It's the perfect time to discover a completely different side of the city and this beautiful seaside promenade. The dates and times of the operation are communicated by the town hall during the year in the local media.

Visit the Corniche on foot

This is the best way to discover the Corniche at your own pace and take the opportunity to explore some additional sites along the walk (Vallon des Auffes, Malmousque, Fausse Monnaie Bridge, Valmer Park). In addition, bus 83 runs all the way, which allows you to stop the visit in case of fatigue. There is a free drinking water fountain above Prophete Beach (at n°323 Corniche Kennedy).

Visit the Corniche by bike

The cycle path allows you to easily cross the corniche from the Palais du Pharo to the Prado beaches. This is the opportunity to continue the walk along the beaches up to the mouth of the Huveaune located near the statue of David, to then visit Borély Park by bike.

Visit the Corniche by little train

The route of the little tourist train departing from Vieux-port and going up to Notre Dame de la Garde, takes a large part of the Corniche road, You will discover this part of the city quickly and effortlessly.

When to visit the Corniche Kennedy?

The ideal is to benefit from a day when the Corniche is reserved for pedestrians "La voie est libre" (“The road is clear”). Otherwise, preferably visit in the morning for more calm, while avoiding heavy Mistral days. However, the panorama offered to visitors remains magnificent, whatever the weather conditions. On calm days, the sea turns a deep blue and offers a clear view of the Frioul islands and the Château d'If. When the Mistral blows, the sky becomes exceptionally clear and the fairly rough sea, whose waves crash against the rocks, offers a magical spectacle (but hold on tight!).

Beach of les Catalans

A very popular beach due to its proximity to the city center. The lazaret tower, built in the 16th century on the rocks, is a former infirmary which was used to quarantine sailors and goods before entering the city.

Monument to the fallen of the Army of the Orient and distant lands

Also called "Oriental Gate", it pays tribute to the fighters of the First World War.

Vallon des Auffes

Small traditional fishing port where ship ropes were once made.

Peninsula of Malmousque

A picturesque place with its small port, its streets overlooking the sea and all its small coves and rocks crowded in summer. There are also military baths there, the military in fact have their own beach reserved for Marseille.

Anse de la Fausse Monnaie

Former den of counterfeiters. The path under the counterfeit money bridge reaches the Malmousque peninsula.

Villa and Parc Valmer

A 19th century Renaissance style villa in the heart of a pretty park open free to the public. (271 Corniche Kennedy).

The Marseille Tide Gauge

In the Tide Gauge is installed the measuring instrument giving the altitude reference “0” in France is installed. (au n° 174 Corniche Kennedy)

Beach of the Prophete

Very popular gently sloping beach.

Algerian Returnees Memorial

Marks the end of the Algerian War and the return of the French (Les Pieds Noirs) in 1962 to mainland France, following Algeria's gain of independence.

Roucas Blanc Nautical Base

Marina and future Olympic site for the 2024 Olympics.

Beaches of the Prado

The largest beaches in Marseille: reclaimed from the sea in the 1970s using materials extracted during metro development work.