It runs along the Mediterranean coast from the beach at Les Catalans in the city centre to Promenade Georges Pompidou and the Plages du Prado in the south, at the limit with the 8th arrondissement.

Starting as a simple path created between 1848 and 1863, the Corniche was later developed into an actual road from 1954 to 1968, when the municipal executive led by Mayor Gaston Defferre decided to expand it.

Plans for a tram line, which were first presented in the late 19th century, were rapidly realised, although it was later disbanded to create space for the automobile.

Along it are fishermen's barracks, 19th century villas (most notably the Villa Valmer and its public park), hotels, restaurants (including Le Petit Nice of chef Gérald Passédat), bars and beaches (Plage du Prophète being one of the best known).

The boardwalk serves as a meeting place for teenagers in the novel Corniche Kennedy by Maylis de Kerangal.