RunCity

Marseille on foot: a self-guided walking route

This route takes you past 9 of Marseille's best-known sights, including Palais Longchamp, Cours Julien, Old Port and more. It is about 9 km on foot, roughly 3 hours at an easy pace with short stops. Follow the list on your own, or play it as a free GPS checkpoint game with RunCity and race the clock on the Marseille leaderboard.

  • 9Stops
  • about 9 kmDistance
  • 3 hoursWalking
  • about 72 minRunning
Play Marseille in RunCity

Free during launch. Runs in your phone's browser; the app is in English, German and Hungarian.

Marseille
Photo: Earth777 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Marseille's route runs from the Palais Longchamp to the Old Port and up to Notre-Dame de la Garde, about 9 km with one big climb. It starts at the columned fountain of the Palais Longchamp and passes the street art of Cours Julien before reaching the Old Port, where a mirrored canopy over the quay reflects the people below. Le Panier, the oldest quarter, hides the arcaded courtyard of the Vieille Charité.

The striped cathedral and the lattice cube of the MuCEM sit side by side on the waterfront, linked to Fort Saint-Jean by a footbridge. Across the harbour, the fortified Abbey of Saint-Victor leads to the long climb to Notre-Dame de la Garde, whose golden Madonna watches the whole city; bus 60 goes up if you prefer. The bonus stop is the Vallon des Auffes, a tiny fishing harbour under the coastal road bridge, the place for bouillabaisse.

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Download the route as GPX (for Komoot, Strava or a watch)

The stops

A suggested order. In the game you can visit them in any order.

  1. Palais Longchamp

    Palais Longchamp Photo

    The columned fountain palace with its water cascade.

    Photo: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA · CC BY 2.0

  2. Cours Julien

    Cours Julien

    The street-art square with cafés and market stalls.

    Photo: Fred Romero from Paris, France · CC BY 2.0

  3. Old Port

    Old Port Photo

    The mirrored canopy over the quay of the old harbour.

    Photo: Ingo Mehling · CC BY-SA 3.0

  4. Vieille Charité

    Vieille Charité

    The arcaded courtyard of the old almshouse in Le Panier.

    Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 3.0

  5. Marseille Cathedral

    Marseille Cathedral

    The striped Byzantine-style cathedral beside the sea.

    Photo: Bertrand SOUBEYRAND · CC BY-SA 4.0

  6. MuCEM

    MuCEM

    The lattice-covered cube museum beside the old fort.

    Photo: Holger Uwe Schmitt · CC BY-SA 4.0

  7. Abbey of Saint-Victor

    Abbey of Saint-Victor

    The fortified abbey with its crenellated towers.

    Photo: Bjs · CC BY-SA 4.0

  8. Notre-Dame de la Garde

    Notre-Dame de la Garde Photo

    The golden Madonna on the basilica tower high above the city.

    Photo: Earth777 · CC BY-SA 4.0

  9. Vallon des Auffes

    Vallon des Auffes Bonus Photo

    The tiny fishing harbour tucked under the coastal road bridge.

    Photo: Florent Chabaud · CC BY-SA 3.0

Play Marseille in RunCity

Leaderboard

    Questions

    Can you see Marseille on foot in one day?

    Yes. The 9 stops on this route add up to about 9 km, roughly 3 hours at an easy pace with short stops.

    Is this self-guided walking tour free?

    Yes. The route and map on this page are free, and the RunCity game for Marseille is free during launch.

    How does the RunCity game work in Marseille?

    Open Marseille in RunCity, walk to a stop and tap Validate: your phone's GPS confirms you are there. Some stops also ask for a photo. Timed runs go on the Marseille leaderboard.

    Where does the route start?

    This page suggests starting at Palais Longchamp and finishing at Vallon des Auffes. In the game you can take the stops in any order.

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