Cove and Bridge of the Fausse-Monnaie

Why is it significant?

Pause above the scenic natural inlet of the Anse de la Fausse-Monnaie, spanned by an elegant single-arch ashlar bridge constructed in the mid-nineteenth century.

Key Facts

Open the walk

Pause above the scenic natural inlet of the Anse de la Fausse-Monnaie, spanned by an elegant single-arch ashlar bridge constructed in the mid-nineteenth century. According to widespread local folklore, this deep rocky creek owes its evocative name—meaning 'Counterfeit Money Cove'—to clandestine gangs of seventeenth-century coiners who supposedly minted counterfeit royal currency in hidden sea caves beneath the cliffs. Historians suggest a more pragmatic origin: the name likely derived from the Provençal word 'fousso-mounedo', describing a deep, treacherous undersea hollow or deceptive current that trapped unwary fishermen. Today, this sheltered miniature fjord serves as a charming harbor for small motor launches and recreational fishing skiffs bobbing peacefully between steep limestone bluffs. On warm summer afternoons, daring local youths gather on the rocky ledges to perform breathtaking cliff jumps into the translucent, emerald-hued water below. Waterfront bistros and traditional seafood taverns terrace the hillside, filling the evening air with the sizzle of grilled sardines and chilled pastis. The graceful stone arch of the bridge frames the open Mediterranean in a picture-perfect vignette of Provençal coastal charm. You feel here the playful, rebellious spirit of Marseille, where myth and maritime reality blend effortlessly. Generations of curious wanderers have paused along this historic parapet, charmed by the romantic mystery of the old counterfeiting legends and captivated by the pristine beauty of the rocky shoreline below.

Watch the adventurous local divers: with remarkable agility, they leap from the rock platforms ten meters high into the narrow deep-water channel.

In the seventeenth century, the surrounding slopes were terraced with olive groves and vineyards owned by wealthy merchant families escaping the crowded Old Port.

Local scuba divers still search the underwater fissures of the cove on calm days, half-hoping to discover sunken copper coin presses from the legendary minting guild.

Ascend the stone steps to the Corniche sidewalk and cross toward the monumental entrance gates of Parc Valmer.