VALLON DES AUFFES, A CHARMING LITTLE FISHING PORT IN MARSEILLE

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Yes, Marseille isn’t just about the basilica “La Bonne Mère”, the “Old-Port “Vieux-Port” or the MuCEM ! It’s also home to small, authentic spots made up of narrow winding streets linking charming buildings, stairways shaped by time, and picturesque little fishing harbours. This is exactly the case with the “Vallon des Auffes”, a cove that feels like a real village right in the heart of the Phocaean City.

Visiting Vallon des Auffes

⚠️ If you’re driving, you might miss it ! Vallon des Auffes is hidden below the Corniche Kennedy road.

More precisely, it’s located 2 km from the Old Port, between Catalans Beach and the Malmousque bay. From the Corniche Kennedy, take the staircase down near the bus stop. Once you reach the bottom, you’ll find yourself directly facing the harbour, with colourful fishermen’s houses in the background. A true 3D postcard !

We recommend walking around the harbour, exploring the beautifully decorated little streets and the dead ends named after fish. You can also take the opportunity to enjoy a delicious pizza at “Chez Jeannot” or a traditional bouillabaisse at “Chez Fonfon”, both with a beautiful sea view !

How to get to Vallon des Auffes ?

👟 On foot : about a 20-minute walk from the Old Port via the Corniche Kennedy.

🚍 By bus : take bus line 83 from the “Vieux-Port”. It will drop you directly on the bridge overlooking the Vallon des Auffes cove.

🚙 By car : access is possible but not recommended due to the difficulty of finding a parking space. There is a small car park on the Corniche or at the top of the Vallon, but spaces are scarce and highly sought after.

Are there beaches at Vallon des Auffes ?

There aren’t really any traditional beaches at Vallon des Auffes, but rather a few (unsupervised) swimming spots :
👉 the famous natural seawater pool known as the “piscine du Vallon”
👉 rocky areas for the more adventurous swimmers. (Both are located just past the large three-arch bridge.)
👉 You can also extend your walk to find other swimming spots nearby. About 20 minutes on foot, you’ll reach Catalans Beach, a popular sandy beach in Marseille. In the opposite direction, towards Malmousque, you’ll discover small sandy or pebbly beaches around Pointe d’Endoume or along the coastline heading toward Anse de Maldormé.

The most beautiful viewpoint

📸 From the three-arch bridge overlooking the Vallon, you’ll enjoy a stunning overall view of the small fishing harbour (from this pont you’ll also see the Bonne Mère.

📍 Get there here.

Where to stay at Vallon des Auffes ?

Why not rent a traditional fisherman’s cabin (“cabanon”) ? You’ll be able to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere and charm of this unique corner of Marseille. We recommend this one in particular, comfortable, well-equipped, and featuring a lovely terrace:

If you’re planning to visit Marseille over several days, the best option is to stay in the city centre. We recommend the Old Port area, Le Panier, or the 7th arrondissement, all close to the main attractions of downtown Marseille.