Description
This tour, which can be done on foot or by bike, takes in some of Marseille's neighborhoods, which are home to a number of sites well worth a visit. The route is particularly pleasant in hot weather, as it is shaded.
The starting point is a bridge at the beginning of impasse René Magnac (1). You'll walk alongside the sports complex named after the former president of the ASPTT club, who did a great deal for its development.
You enter the Avenue de Mazargues and continue along a greener stretch of road, until you reach the back of the building housing the Ballet National de Marseille (2) and the Parc Henri Fabre (3).
Continue along the original Huveaune riverbed to reach the main entrance to Parc Borély (4). Admire the view of the château (5). Pass through the gates and continue left to reach the rose garden. Pass under the imposing, majestic plane tree to reach the island of the former "Pavillon du Lac" establishment. Leave the island and head for the entrance to the botanical garden (6).
If you've taken the necessary steps to reserve your entrance (it's free, but must be reserved in advance), you'll be in for a complete change of scenery. After this detour, walk past the Bird Man fountain to reach the children's play area. A gate leads from Parc Borély to Avenue Clot-Bey. Cross the avenue and continue along the narrow traverse Paul, which zigzags between properties. Fence walls protect some beautiful homes from view. You finally come to Rue Albert Dubout and, at the end, turn right down Avenue d'Haïfa. You'll come to the [mac ]musée d'art contemporain (7) and the Pouce de César (8).
Via avenue de Hambourq, you'll reach the central Bonneveine park (9), where you'll also find some monumental works of contemporary art. Continue through the park to skirt the grounds of the Horticultural Society and Parc Bortoli (10).
You've reached the end of the route. You now have several options:
Continue the tour to discover the Mazargues district, take the 22/22S buses back to the rond-point-du-Prado, or take the 45 bus that brings you closer to the seaside, the Pointe-Rouge district and the Pastré countryside.
Accepted customers
- Level green – easy
From 01/01 to 31/12.
Subject to favorable weather.
Subject to favorable weather.
Environment
- Close to a public transportation
- Bus stop < 500 m
- City bike station < 500 m
Points of interest
Points of interest
1Former Huveaune river bed
Since 1986, the Huveaune river has hardly flowed into the sea. A large part of the river is diverted to an underground treatment plant located between the Palais des Sports and the Stade Velodrome to prevent pollution of the beaches. Only in the event of heavy rain does the excess run off into the old natural riverbed. This explains the absence of water at certain points along the route. This 1.5-kilometre stretch of the route runs from boulevard Michelet to Parc Borély. It is just a small part of a greenway that is part of the mobility plan and the metropolitan cycling plan currently being developed by the Aix-Marseille-Provence metropolitan authority. It is due to run for a total of 14 kilometres, linking the Saint-Menet district to the Huveaune beach. Located in the heart of a preserved area of restored nature in the middle of the city, this facility will eventually offer a number of possibilities: a safe cycle route for cyclists, a place to stroll, relax and practise sports. Work began in 2024 and is scheduled to continue until 2030.
