The Urban Hike of Marseille

based on 34 reviews

Duration:3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Location: Marseille, Provence

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You want to understand all about Marseille and its secrets?
Come with me, I'll tell you everything by walking you through the heart of the city. In doing sports as well as visiting, in nourishing body & soul! Follow me for a sunny and sporty 10-kilometer hike, accessible to everyone and I will make you discover and enjoy the city differently:

- Reveal its History and Geography, heritage and treasures, funny stories and true historical facts.
- Let's go find the quiet spots of Marseille, reveal hidden beauties, stride along narrow streets only known by inhabitants.
- Unearth various and surprising architectural patterns of housing, which are contemporary milestones of a deep and complex History. - Climb stairs up to be offered amazing views, make some nice detours to beat the crowds, find the right spots to get global points of view which help us understand the structure of the city.

Let's go to all the secret spots which are almost impossible to find by yourself, and which are unreachable by car or by bus. One and only mode of transport: our feet!

If you like to contemplate, if you appreciate the beauty of simple things, if you want to do sport, then you will be delighted by this 5-star sporty guided tour in the heart of our beautiful 2600-year-old city!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

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
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.
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.
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.
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.
6. Le Parc Valmer
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
11.
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!
12. Le Palais de Justice
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.

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Posted By : Michael_Z
It was a beautiful day in Marseille. We had an excellent trip, with the knowledge of our guide Olivier. He was friendly, knowledgeable, courteous, and gave us great historical and cultural information. He even recommended a great spot for lunch! I would recommend this trip highly. One tip… Wear good walking shoes!
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2024-05-26 04:05:48

Posted By : uwesY3822LV
Very great city walk, with places that you would not find as a tourist alone, and gives a feeling for how Marseille ticks
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Posted On : 2024-03-26 14:31:10

Posted By : Meander00534208770
The order of the tour and the knowledge Olivier gave us built up to almost a finale. We understand so much more about Marseille and have inside knowledge that we would never have achieved by ourselves. Definitely recommend at the start of your holiday.
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Posted On : 2023-09-14 03:54:43

Posted By : K1760ORfabricel
Superb urban hike with Olivier, an exciting and passionate guide.
Olivier shows us Marseille in a very varied way: history, geography, town planning...

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Posted On : 2023-08-15 06:26:37

Posted By : CDTaylor80
Olivier took us on a fantastic, highly educational and entertaining walk around the many villages of Marseille. From the harbour to the Cathedral we ventured through back lanes and winding streets seeing the city from the viewpoint of a local. We learned about the history and culture of what makes Marseilles so different to the rest of France. Well worth the time to help you get to know this vibrant city.
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Posted On : 2023-06-15 02:52:37

Posted By : mglicks
Wow! Incredible excursion. Olivier is deeply knowledgeable, with an irresistible passion for his city. He leads you on a genuine adventure through gorgeous Marseille -- its grandeur and its quirks, its well-known monuments and its hidden corners. You'll learn tons about its history and culture, take in some stunning scenery, and get a rigorous workout to boot (that climb to Notre Dame de la Garde is no joke).

I'm an English native speaker and advanced-intermediate French learner; I took the tour in French and managed to understand about 85%. Oliver's English is also excellent. I can vouch for it as a must-do on your itinerary, in either language.
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Posted On : 2022-05-30 18:12:44

Posted By : Gavin_B
Eric Cantona's childhood home (see picture). Excellent information, wonderful guide with real info plus kind manners. Highly recommended.
Rating : full ratings
Posted On : 2022-04-15 14:58:22

Retrieving available

Tickets

The Urban Hike of Marseille

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. Marseille

2. Le Vieux Port

3. Vallon des Auffes

4. La corniche

5. Palais du Pharo

6. Le Parc Valmer

7.

8.

9.

10. Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde

11.

12. Le Palais de Justice

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

Retrieving available

Tickets

The Urban Hike of Marseille

WHAT'S INCLUDED ⟱

WHAT TO EXPECT ⟱

1. Marseille

2. Le Vieux Port

3. Vallon des Auffes

4. La corniche

5. Palais du Pharo

6. Le Parc Valmer

7.

8.

9.

10. Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde

11.

12. Le Palais de Justice

ADDITIONAL INFO ⟱

CANCELLATION POLICY ⟱

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY