• La Corniche - The Corniche Kennedy, officially named the Corniche du Président-John-Fitzgerald-Kennedy, is a renowned boulevard in Marseille, extending approximately 3.7 km along the Mediterranean Sea. This scenic route, linking the Plage des Catalans to the Plages du Prado, is a favored path for both tourists and locals for walking and enjoying the views.

History and Development
Construction of the Corniche began in 1848 and concluded in 1863, transforming a simple customs path into a city promenade. It was named in honor of John F. Kennedy following his assassination in 1963. The Corniche is notable for its extensive concrete bench, considered the longest in the world, stretching nearly 3 km.

• La Calanque de Figuerolles - Situated near La Ciotat, the Calanque de Figuerolles is a captivating natural site, celebrated for its stunning landscapes and clear turquoise waters. Nestled between puddingstone cliffs, it features a small pebble beach, perfect for swimming and diving. Its name, from the Provençal meaning “fig tree garden,” reflects the vegetation that once surrounded it.

Accessible via a path of 87 steps, the cove is very popular in summer, drawing many visitors eager to enjoy its idyllic setting. Activities like scuba diving are particularly favored, especially for exploring the rich biodiversity of the seabed. The Calanque de Figuerolles has also inspired numerous artists, including painter Georges Braque, due to its vibrant colors and unique atmosphere.

In addition to its natural beauty, the cove hosts a restaurant, Chez Tania, offering a stunning view of the landscape.

• Port de Cassis - Cassis is a delightful small fishing port nestled between the majestic Cap Canaille and the renowned Calanques on the French Riviera. This charming village, known for its colorful houses and cobbled streets, provides an idyllic setting for visitors. The port of Cassis is especially popular for its café and restaurant terraces, where one can savor local specialties while admiring the Mediterranean Sea view. The region offers a variety of activities, from swimming in the turquoise waters, hiking in the Calanques National Park, to boat trips exploring the nearby coves. The port, historically a fishing hub, retains its authentic charm, attracting both tourists and nature enthusiasts. Provencal markets and cultural events, such as the summer evening craft markets, enhance Cassis’s appeal, making it a true Mediterranean gem.

• Marseille - Marseille, established by Greek sailors in 600 BC, is France’s oldest city. Situated on the Mediterranean coast, it is renowned for its historic port and cultural richness, shaped by successive waves of migration, notably Italians, Armenians, and Maghrebis. This diversity has forged a unique Mediterranean identity, blending Greek, Roman, and North African influences. The city is also famous for its 111 districts, each with distinct character and traditions. The Vieux-Port, the Panier district, and the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde basilica are iconic symbols of its heritage. Marseille is also the sunniest of France’s major cities, offering a Mediterranean climate ideal for outdoor living and vibrant cultural activities.

• Route des Cretes - The Route des Crêtes, connecting Cassis to La Ciotat over 15 kilometers, is a renowned panoramic route on the Côte d’Azur. It offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean and the Calanques massif, including Cap Canaille, France’s highest sea cliff at 394 meters. Highly popular with motorists, cyclists, and motorcyclists, it features viewpoints to admire nature. During peak season, crowds can make access challenging, raising environmental concerns. To avoid the crowds, visiting early in the morning or during the week is recommended.

• Parc National des Calanques - The Calanques of Cassis, located between the charming port of Cassis and the Calanques massif, are spectacular geological formations, characterized by narrow coves and white cliffs plunging into turquoise waters. This national park, stretching approximately 20 km, is a true haven for nature lovers and hikers, offering numerous marked trails leading to breathtaking viewpoints. The most famous calanques, such as Port Miou, Port Pin, and En Vau, are accessible on foot or by boat, allowing visitors to explore the region’s wild beauty. The diversity of fauna and flora, both terrestrial and underwater, makes the calanques a unique ecosystem to be preserved. Besides hiking, visitors can enjoy refreshing swims and water activities, making this destination a must for those discovering Provence.

• MPCT - Marseille Provence Cruise Terminal - The cruise port of Marseille, located in the heart of the Mediterranean, has become a major player in the sector, positioning itself as France’s leading cruise port and the fourth in the Mediterranean. In 2023, it welcomed over 4 million passengers, showcasing its continued growth.

Marseille benefits from a proactive policy to attract cruise passengers, with modern infrastructure and services tailored to the needs of companies and passengers. The port is a preferred departure point for cruises to various destinations, including Spain, Italy, and the Greek islands.

Despite its growing popularity, Marseille is often seen as a gateway to Provence rather than a tourist destination in its own right. The excursions offered highlight the region’s attractions, but the city struggles to stand out as a major destination, like Barcelona or Venice.

• Parc National des Calanques - The Calanques National Park, situated between Marseille and Cassis, spans approximately 20 km and was established on April 18, 2012. It is Europe’s first peri-urban national park, covering 8,500 hectares of land and 43,500 hectares of sea, with rich biodiversity including around 1,000 plant species and 200 protected species.

The calanques, typical geological formations, are characterized by limestone cliffs and coves with turquoise waters. They host a variety of marine flora and fauna, essential for the ecosystem.

However, the park attracts between 2 and 3 million visitors annually, posing challenges for managing attendance and preserving this fragile environment. Measures are in place to limit tourism’s impact and protect the biodiversity of this listed site, one of France’s most visited.

• Plages du Prado - The Prado beaches in Marseille, located in the 8th arrondissement, stretch along approximately 3.5 kilometers of coastline, providing a popular seaside area for locals and tourists alike. This beach complex was developed from the 1970s onwards, using landfill from metro works to reclaim the sea. Today, it covers an area of 45 hectares, incorporating sand and gravel beaches, as well as green spaces suitable for leisure. The Prado beaches are well served by public transport, including the metro and several bus lines. Visitors can also access them by car, although parking is often limited, especially in high season.

• Le Vieux Port - The Old Port of Marseille, formerly known as Lacydon, is the historical and cultural heart of the city, having played a central role since its founding by the Greeks over 2,600 years ago. Once an important trading center, the port is now a recreational area, surrounded by restaurants, cafés, and shops, attracting both locals and tourists.

The Old Port has become an iconic symbol of Marseille, where you can enjoy the lively atmosphere, particularly thanks to its morning fish market and cultural events. The quays, recently redeveloped to encourage pedestrianization, offer a pleasant setting for strolling and admiring traditional fishing boats and luxury yachts.

Today, the Old Port is also the starting point for many excursions to tourist sites such as the Château d’If and the Calanques, among others.

• Vallon des Auffes - Coming from the Catalans beach, a stop is made near the Auffes Valley.

The Auffes Valley is a small fishing port located in Marseille, between the Catalans beach and the bay of Malmousque. This emblematic place, often described as a haven of peace, retains an authentic charm with its colorful huts and typical fishing boats called “pointus.”

Its name comes from the Provençal word “auffo,” which refers to the alfa, a plant historically used to make ropes. In the 19th century, the valley was a center of rope production, contributing to its name.

Accessible by narrow stairs from the Corniche Kennedy, the Auffes Valley is a popular spot for both Marseillais and tourists. It offers renowned restaurants, especially for their bouillabaisse, and is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the sea, although there are no traditional beaches.

• Cape Canaille - Coming from Marseille, a photo stop is made at the incredible Cap Canaille cliff with breathtaking views.

In summer, the ridge road may be closed due to strong winds and significant heat, or on some Sundays. In such cases, this stop might not be possible. Cap Canaille is a majestic massif located between Cassis and La Ciotat, reaching 394 meters, making it one of Europe’s highest sea cliffs. This natural site offers spectacular panoramas of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding coves, attracting many hikers and climbers with its limestone, sandstone, and puddingstone cliffs.

Historically, Cap Canaille has been a place of passage and inspiration for many artists, including painters who have captured its wild beauty. Its name comes from the Provençal “Cap Naio,” which evolved into “Canaille” over time.

• Cassis - Cassis is a charming town on the Mediterranean coast, close to Marseille. Known for its spectacular scenery, the town is surrounded by white cliffs and turquoise-water coves, providing an idyllic setting for nature and outdoor enthusiasts. The picturesque little port of Cassis, lined with restaurants and shops, is the vibrant heart of the town, where you can stroll through narrow streets adorned with colorful houses. The town is also famous for its wine, especially the Cassis white wine, produced in the surrounding vineyards. Visitors can explore the calanques, which are unique geological formations, ideal for hiking, swimming, and diving. Cassis attracts many tourists each year, especially in the summer, and its friendly and authentic atmosphere makes it a popular destination. Cassis is a true jewel of Provence, combining natural beauty, culture, and an unforgettable experience.

• La Ciotat - La Ciotat is a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, located approximately 31 km east of Marseille. It is renowned for its cultural and natural heritage, particularly as the gateway to the Calanques National Park, famous for its landscapes and coves.

The town is the birthplace of cinema, having hosted the first public screening of the Lumière brothers’ films in 1895 in the Eden cinema, the oldest cinema still in operation. La Ciotat is surrounded by cliffs, including Cap Canaille, one of the highest in Europe at 394 meters.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, such as hiking in the calanques and exploring the historic center, full of craft shops and restaurants. Its beaches and Mediterranean atmosphere make it a popular destination for nature and culture lovers.

• Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde - In case the road to the basilica is closed, passage is possible on request. Thank you.

The Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, often called “the Good Mother,” is an iconic symbol of Marseille, overlooking the city from a hill at an altitude of 149 meters. Its history dates back to 1214, when Pierre, a priest, built the first chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This chapel was enlarged in the 15th century, but it was in the 19th century that it was replaced by the current building, designed by architect Henri-Jacques Espérandieu and consecrated in 1864. The basilica’s architecture is in the Romano-Byzantine style, adorned with dazzling mosaics and an austere crypt. At the top, an imposing statue of the Virgin and Child, 11.2 meters high and weighing nearly 10 tons, watches over the city. This monument attracts millions of visitors annually, not only for its religious significance but also for the exceptional panoramic view it offers over Marseille and the Mediterranean.

• Cathedrale de la Major - Passage near the Cathedral of La Major.

The Cathedral of Sainte-Marie-Majeure, commonly called “La Major,” is an iconic monument of Marseille, located between the Old Port and the Joliette district. Its construction began in 1852 under the direction of architect Léon Vaudoyer and was completed in 1893, after 41 years of work. This neo-Byzantine style building is remarkable for its impressive dimensions: 142 meters long, 60 meters high for the towers, and a dome reaching 70 meters. La Major is unique in France, as it is the only cathedral built in the 19th century. It was constructed to symbolize Marseille’s prosperity, then the leading port in France, and can accommodate up to 3,000 people. Its architecture, combining Roman and oriental elements, reflects the city’s maritime history and openness to the world. The cathedral has been classified as a historical monument since 1906 and remains a must-see site.

• Cassis - During the journey between Marseille, the Route des Crêtes, and La Ciotat, a stop is made in Cassis to stroll through the narrow streets, have a snack or lunch in the many restaurants, go shopping, buy souvenirs, and discover the coves by the sea, in the tourist mixers.

Cassis is a small picturesque, endearing port that is well worth a visit when passing through the Marseille area.

• La Ciotat - Towards the creeks of Figuerolles.

• Cassis - A stop in Cassis for lunch or a snack in the charming picturesque village of Cassis, with many restaurants, shops, and ice cream parlors, to stroll with friends or family before returning to Marseille.

• Bottled water
• All Fees and Taxes
• In-vehicle air conditioning

• Snacks
• tips

Depart from the Cruise Port of Marseille and drive a convertible using your original driving license from your home country. Follow the guide in his 9-seater van, ensuring safety while sharing interesting stories about the area. Maximum of 16 participants.

Choose between a CABRIO VW Beetle or a Fiat 500, and enjoy the spectacular Route des Crests (if accessible), offering stunning views of the Cassis coves from 394 meters high. Explore the French Riviera for an unforgettable journey.

Visit the picturesque village of Cassis and admire the Calanque de Figuerolles, famously painted by Pablo Picasso.

This excursion is designed for cruise passengers, with a return expected between 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm, depending on your ship’s schedule. Whether traveling with Royal Caribbean, NCL, Celebrity X, Costa, MSC, Viking, Ilma, Princess, or Oceania, this adventure caters to your preferences.

Check-out and return to the Marseille Cruise Port, with one driver per vehicle recommended.

Experience a unique blend of driving, breathtaking landscapes, and cultural exploration.

• Unless otherwise agreed by the person in charge, for safety reasons, children under 7 years old cannot be admitted on this walk or under the full responsibility of the parents.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.