All year long, the walls of the oldest district of Marseille dress up different colours and different shapes. Sometimes abstract, sometimes realistic, and from time to time surprising. At this time of the year, the alleys are emptying. We can take more time to stop by and stare at the artworks which can be seen from all of us.
From the promenade Louis Brauquier, you can admire the entrance of the Vieux-Port and also its boats to Frioul or the Calanques. Walkers, fishermen, joggers : the people of Marseille enjoy to relax by the sea, which is a kind of habit in the Phocean city. When mucem is opened, take a step-up to the jardin des Migrations and climb the promontory of the cavalier de la rade. From here, the panorama of the palais du Pharo, the Abbaye Saint Victor and Bonne Mère is worth the diversions.
Corniche Vallondesauffes @joyanaotcm (4)In Marseille, the sun shines all year long (yes , I promise you!) so why not taking advantage of it then? And even if the weather is not so good, it is very nice to walk on the’ corniche’ with a panoramic view on the bay of Marseille and its Frioul islands. You will come across a lot of cyclists and joggers who might make you want to start exercising again, the ( supposedly) longest bench in the world is located here ( 3km) so you can sunbathe from all sides !
It is very well known, in the summer, the village of Les goudes is ‘cafi de monde” ( provençal phrase for “packed with people”). In the winter time, tranquility comes back and it is even nicer to walk there. The gentle lights of the sun rise offer breathtaking landscapes to the photographers and walkers. It is in this precise moment that the sentence ‘le bout du monde’ ( on the other side of the world) takes on its full meaning.
Their reputation has been made. Hiking in the calanques in the winter is an asset, and anyone from Marseille will tell you : that’s the best time to enjoy them ! Some of them are easier than others however all of them require good hiking shoes, water even in the middle of january ! Indeed, it won’t be the perfect time to swim in the sea but who needs that when you can stare at the crystalline turquoise sea.
You probably heard its name once in your lifetime ( if not more!) or read on of its autobiographic novel. Immerse yourself in differents places where he grew up and the naturals landcape that inspied him. The Garlaban as we named it here, own many hiking trails. Most of them offers a beautiful view on Marseille and its surrounding hills.
Located on the other side of Marseille, discovering the steep path of la’Côte bleue’punctuated of gorgeous coves with turquoise water.This winter hike can be done from differents locations depending on your expectations. During the winter, you can park your car in different villages- calanques because there are less visitors. But what could be better than taking the Côte bleue train which overlooks the bay and enjoy the different views on Marseile ?
