Corniche du Président-John-Fitzgerald-Kennedy, Coastal thoroughfare in Marseille, France.
The Corniche du Président-John-Fitzgerald-Kennedy is a coastal road running along the Mediterranean Sea in Marseille, connecting different neighborhoods through a continuous path. It passes by several beaches, public squares, and open bays facing the water.
The route evolved from a footpath into a complete road between 1848 and 1863, then underwent major expansion during the 1950s and 1960s. This period of transformation shaped the modern appearance of the coastline.
The street was renamed in 1963 following President Kennedy's death, and today it hosts numerous restaurants and the traditional fishing port of Vallon des Auffes where locals still gather.
You can walk the entire route and find multiple places to rest and enjoy the view along the way. The path is level and easy to navigate, making it comfortable for a leisurely stroll.
A continuous concrete bench runs nearly 3 kilometers (about 2 miles) along the route, making it one of Europe's longest public seating installations. This unusual feature makes it easy to stop and rest whenever you want while watching the sea.
Location: 7th arrondissement of Marseille
Part of: Marseille road network
Shares border with: avenue du Colonel-Serot, boulevard des Dardanelles, boulevard de la Rade, rue Malmousque, rue Victor-Maurel, rue Georges-Saint-Martin, escalier du Vallon des Auffes, rue Boudouresque, rue Pierre-Mouren, avenue Edmond-Oraison, rue Capitaine-Dessemond, rue des Catalans, avenue de la Corse, traverse Clastrier, boulevard Augustin-Cieussa, traverse Pey, rue des Pêcheurs, rue Général-Cartaux, traverse Sainte-Hélène, promenade Georges-Pompidou, chemin du Roucas Blanc, chemin du Vallon de l'Oriol, traverse de la Baudille, chemin de la Batterie, place Paul-Ricard, chemin du Pont
GPS coordinates: 43.27730,5.35661
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:03
Marseille brings together ancient history and modern city life. This route reveals the many faces of the city through its most important places: the Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica overlooks the entire city, while the Vieux-Port serves as the beating heart of urban activity. The harbor has been a gateway to the world for centuries, and its maritime past remains visible along the waterfront today. The collection connects impressive architecture with coastal landscapes. Historical buildings like the Palais Longchamp, the Cathédrale La Major, and Fort Saint-Jean tell stories of Marseille's political and military importance. Contemporary museums and artistic spaces show how the city has evolved. The Château d'If, a former fortress on an offshore island, comes alive through literature and history. Calanques National Park offers dramatic limestone cliffs and hidden coves that stretch along the coastline. Traditional fishing neighborhoods like the Vallon des Auffes and Malmousque preserve daily Marseille life. From street art districts like Cours Julien to quieter spots like the Goudes, the city reveals many sides and invites visitors to explore.
Marseille offers a range of photo locations that show the city's history and geography. Visitors can watch daily life at the harbor in Vallon des Auffes, where fishing boats create traditional scenes, or walk the steep streets of the old quarter Le Panier, with its colorful facades and local shops. The Calanque de Morgiou displays natural coastal beauty with limestone cliffs and turquoise water. The city connects historical buildings with modern life. Fort Saint-Jean shapes the harbor landscape, while the Palais Longchamp impresses with its neoclassical design. Art and sculpture appear throughout: on Cours Julien with its street murals, in Vieille Charité, which serves as a cultural space, and in Le Corbusier's Cité Radieuse, showing postwar architecture. Those interested in religious monuments will find La Major Cathedral with its Byzantine form and Saint Victor Abbey with its long history. Natural spots like Corniche Kennedy and Borély Park offer views of the sea and local leisure culture. Less familiar places like La Buzine or Anse de la Fausse Monnaie reward explorers with quieter settings. Together, these locations show Marseille's many faces: a city with maritime tradition, artistic heritage, and open spaces by the water.
Notre-Dame de la Garde
1.4 km
Abbey of St. Victor
1.6 km
Palais du Pharo
1.9 km
Fort Saint-Nicolas
1.6 km
Marseille marigraph
283 m
Villa Valmer
297 m
Théâtre National de la Criée
1.9 km
Degaby Island
1 km
Monument aux morts de l'Armée d'Orient et des terres lointaines
1.1 km
Site archéologique de la carrière antique grecque de la Corderie
1.5 km
Interior of Saint-Victor
1.6 km
24 Hour Beach
626 m
Musée du santon Marcel Carbonel
1.8 km
Canoubier turret
1.6 km
Église Saint-Philippe
1.8 km
Plage du Prophète
646 m
Église Saint-Eugène
852 m
Monument aux Repatriés d'Afrique du Nord
1.2 km
Église Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue
1 km
Château Talabot
1.4 km
Jardin Émile Duclaux
1.8 km
Scenic viewpoint
1.4 km
Anse de Maldormé
599 m
Scenic viewpoint
1.4 km
Jardin Missak Manouchian
1.7 km
Plage des Catalans
1.5 km
Traverse Gazzino
1.7 km
Fontaine d'Amphitrite
1.5 kmVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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