Hiking from Callelongue to Les Goudes: the "end of the world".

Your starting point is the terminus of RTM bus line 20, at Calanque de Callelongue. Here you've reached the extreme point of Marseille, accessible by wheelchair. The idea is to show you places on the southern tip of Marseille's coastline, since we're still in the 8th arrondissement. Calanque de Callelongue (1) nestles at the foot of the 321-metre-high Saint-Michel rock. It's one of many starting points for hiking and exploring the massifs of the Parc National des Calanques.

Walk up the single street to reach the orientation table on your left. Here you'll discover a 180° view of the islands. Their names, starting from the left: Jarron, Jarre, Plane and the highest and best-known of them all, Riou. None of them are accessible, but they are home to some sublime diving spots. On the right, the island closest to land is Maïre Island, whose story will be told a little later.

If you lean over the railing beyond the orientation table, you will discover the rusty remains of a wheel mechanism: the telescope of Marseille (2).

Continue up the street to the next bend on the right, where you'll find the entrance to the Napoleon parking lot.

To the left of the parking lot, a wide path begins, leading slightly uphill towards ancient reinforced concrete remains. Admire the landscape, with the Big Blue on one side and the highest points of the Marseilleveyre massif in the distance. The path splits in two, and you take the part on the right that climbs towards the military remains. Some of these are former forts built in the aftermath of the war of 1870 and 1871 (3). These bunkers encircle the village of Les Goudes, nestled in a cove well protected from the easterly wind.

Panoramic view of Ile Maïre (4).

Now follow the path that crosses this mineral landscape to walk towards a white limestone calvary (6) that dominates the village of Les Goudes.

Before reaching the cross, turn right through the small passage between the houses to enjoy a lovely view of the village and the port of Les Goudes (5). Go back to the path and follow on the right the small path marked by a low stone wall which delimits a property to reach the cross (6).

Then take the path to the pretty, turquoise cove below, l'anse de la Maronaise (7).

Now follow the old route de la Maronaise back to the seawall of the Port des Goudes. In the distance, you'll see Marseille and its landmark, Notre-Dame de la Garde. Then you'll come across a concrete block with a silhouette cut into it (8).

Drive down the road to the outer harbor of Les Goudes, a popular spot for shore fishermen who like to deploy their lines here while sitting on their camping chairs to try to catch fish. To start a discussion, ask if "ça pite" (it pokes). The verb "piter" means "to take the bait". It's also becoming increasingly common to see crested cormorants in this part of the harbour, excellent snorkellers.

Go around the wall that leads to the Port des Goudes and its boats. The low wall in front of the boats is a great spot, all year round and especially on mistral days, to sunbathe (because it is completely sheltered). In the past, it was the meeting place par excellence for the neighborhood's old-timers, who would come here to joke and chat after lunch and a short siesta.

Then take the stairs that join the road and turn left to walk along rue Désiré Pelaprat until you reach the large bar of Les Goudes. Descend to the left and then turn right to walk along the water below the restaurant's terrace. Once you've reached the terrace of the Marine des Goudes restaurant, turn right and then left to take the montée Jacques Decrieu. Follow it all the way to the end, passing between the terraces of houses and boats to return to the main street, Boulevard Alexandre Delabre. After the terrace of a pub, you will find on your right the bus stop that allows you to take the RTM 20 line in order to go back to the Madrague de Montredon and Castellane with the RTM 19 line. Or maybe it's the season for the maritime shuttle, which takes you directly to the Pointe-Rouge port, then on to the Old Port.

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