This is a ‘runseeing tour’ of Marseille. It’s possible to see many of the city’s important sites in a 4-5 mile run. There are multiple options, each starting from the grand City Hall (Hôtel de Ville), which also has a metro stop. These streets are all runnable, with good sidewalks, but some are narrow so best to go early on a busy day. We’ve replicated elements of this recommended Marseille Walking Tour.
Short Run: 6.3 km/3.9 miles. Start at Hôtel de Ville, and enjoy a jaunt along the north side of the Old Port (Qaui de Port). Then do a loop around the Mémorial des Camps de la Mort, the Église Saint-Laurent, and the landmark Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations, which opened in 2013. Run for about a 1.5 km (1 mile) along the port, past the Cathédrale La Major. Turn around at Place Henri Verneil and run by the baroque Vieille Charite and the Maison de la Boule. The last bit is along the streets of historic Marseille: make your way to Rue du Poirier, and Grande Rue.
Long Run: 10 km/6.2 miles: Add on from the Hôtel de Ville, a run to Notre-Dame de la Garde. This adds a bit less than 4 km roundtrip and is quite hilly, but rewarding. Run briefly along the south side of the Vieux-Port, then left on the Rue Fort Notre Dame, and then up the hilly Montee de l-Oratoire, to the summit, at the grand basilica at the city’s highest point, crowned by golden statue of the Virgin Mary by Lequesne. Great views! For the return, take the Montée Commandant René Valentin (stairs), and then the Boulevard Tellene, passing the medieval Abbaye Saint-Victor, ending the route with a final jaunt along the Quai de Rive Neuve.
Add-On: For more Marseille sightseeing, we’ve developed a ~3 mile route of the Canebière, the main commercial center of the city, and several nearby pedestrian-only roads.
This is a ‘runseeing tour’ of Marseille. It’s possible to see many of the city’s important sites in a 4-5 mile run. There are multiple options, each starting from the grand City Hall (Hôtel de Ville), which also has a metro stop. These streets are all runnable, with good sidewalks, but some are narrow so best to go early on a busy day. We’ve replicated elements of this recommended Marseille Walking Tour.
Short Run: 6.3 km/3.9 miles. Start at Hôtel de Ville, and enjoy a jaunt along the north side of the Old Port (Qaui de Port). Then do a loop around the Mémorial des Camps de la Mort, the Église Saint-Laurent, and the landmark Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations, which opened in 2013. Run for about a 1.5 km (1 mile) along the port, past the Cathédrale La Major. Turn around at Place Henri Verneil and run by the baroque Vieille Charite and the Maison de la Boule. The last bit is along the streets of historic Marseille: make your way to Rue du Poirier, and Grande Rue.
Long Run: 10 km/6.2 miles: Add on from the Hôtel de Ville, a run to Notre-Dame de la Garde. This adds a bit less than 4 km roundtrip and is quite hilly, but rewarding. Run briefly along the south side of the Vieux-Port, then left on the Rue Fort Notre Dame, and then up the hilly Montee de l-Oratoire, to the summit, at the grand basilica at the city’s highest point, crowned by golden statue of the Virgin Mary by Lequesne. Great views! For the return, take the Montée Commandant René Valentin (stairs), and then the Boulevard Tellene, passing the medieval Abbaye Saint-Victor, ending the route with a final jaunt along the Quai de Rive Neuve.
Add-On: For more Marseille sightseeing, we’ve developed a ~3 mile route of the Canebière, the main commercial center of the city, and several nearby pedestrian-only roads.
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Essentials
Short option: 6.3 km (3.9 miles); Long option: 10 km (6.2 miles)
550 feet for longer version
Hôtel de Ville, or other convenient spot along route
The signature run in Marseille, from Pharo Cove near the Old Fort to Prado Beach. Great views of the Mediterranean along the roadside path, passing above coves and along beaches. 5.3 km one-way, with good bus options for the return.
Former Château estate is now a public park with formal gardens, fountains, and a small lake with pleasant cafe. There are lovely paths around three formal gardens, ~2km, plus the 1k Sentier de l'Huevaune (path) on the north side.
A tour of some of the main commercial areas of Marseille. The highlight is the Canebière, a wide boulevard stretches eastward from the Old Port (Vieux Port) to the Réformés quarter. Several other pedestrian-only streets as well.
A spectacular 20 km one-way run along the route of a well-known road race. Great views, and hilly! It's possible to run one-way and take the train back to Marseille. Or, take the train to Cassis, and run the more downhill route to Marseille.
A beautiful and rugged national park along the Mediterranean, 15 km south of Marseille. 'Calanques' means 'inlets. Wonderful, hilly trails with great coastal views. Heaven for serious trail runner. There are a few, gentler 'walking' trails good for running.
Some wonderful running spots in this university city and birthplace of Paul Cézanne: Promenade de la Torse, Promenade de l’Arc, Lac de Peyrolles, downtown Cézanne's Trail, and some nice spots around Saint-Victore Mountain.
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Essentials
Short option: 6.3 km (3.9 miles); Long option: 10 km (6.2 miles)
550 feet for longer version
Hôtel de Ville, or other convenient spot along route
Short Run: 6.3 km/3.9 miles. Start at Hôtel de Ville, and enjoy a jaunt along the north side of the Old Port (Qaui de Port). Then do a loop around the Mémorial des Camps de la Mort, the Église Saint-Laurent, and the landmark Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations, which opened in 2013. Run for about a 1.5 km (1 mile) along the port, past the Cathédrale La Major. Turn around at Place Henri Verneil and run by the baroque Vieille Charite and the Maison de la Boule. The last bit is along the streets of historic Marseille: make your way to Rue du Poirier, and Grande Rue.
Long Run: 10 km/6.2 miles: Add on from the Hôtel de Ville, a run to Notre-Dame de la Garde. This adds a bit less than 4 km roundtrip and is quite hilly, but rewarding. Run briefly along the south side of the Vieux-Port, then left on the Rue Fort Notre Dame, and then up the hilly Montee de l-Oratoire, to the summit, at the grand basilica at the city’s highest point, crowned by golden statue of the Virgin Mary by Lequesne. Great views! For the return, take the Montée Commandant René Valentin (stairs), and then the Boulevard Tellene, passing the medieval Abbaye Saint-Victor, ending the route with a final jaunt along the Quai de Rive Neuve.
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Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!