What to do with school-aged kids in Villefranche and Marseille?

[JessLCH]

Well traveled kids will be nearly 11 and 8. Prefer half day or at least not very long day ideas as these ports are at the end of a very tour intensive two weeks. Thanks!

[AngloinProvence]

Here are some suggestions for children in the Marseille area. http://www.marseille-provence.info/family-friendly-children-kids/marseille-area.html

 

I'm not sure what time of year you are going or whether you're prepared to rent a car, but the Palais Longchamp is quite good for kids - it has a Planetarium and Natural History Museum, and a huge park. The Campagne Pastre has an adventure park, horse riding, etc, but it's very much an outdoor place.

 

I'd also suggest the Chateau d'If - there's a nice boat ride out to it and your children might like to read The Count of Monte Cristo -- it's a ripping adventure yarn. http://www.marseille-provence.info/marseille-marseilles/what-to-see-tourist-attractions/50-the-chateau-dif-and-frioul-islands.html

 

Alternatively, the open-top bus tour of the city or the "little train" are also good fun.

[Keith1010]

In Villefranche you might want to consider taking them to a beach or enjoying quite time on the ship.

 

It is correct that Mediterranean cruises are very port intensive and it is easy for not only children but also adults to get tired from all the long days in port so in certain ports it's sometimes good to just make it a leisurely day. To me Villefranche is one of those ports that you can easily skip or just sit out and relax.

 

Keith

[hubofhockey]

Well traveled kids will be nearly 11 and 8. Prefer half day or at least not very long day ideas as these ports are at the end of a very tour intensive two weeks. Thanks!

 

From Marseille, I would see if the cruise line has a 1/2 day tour to Arles. You could get there on your own. But between trains and taxis, that would be closer to a full day. I know Carnival had a 1/2 day tour to Arles. It's a great ancient Roman city. The Arena is still in use (bullfights) and not in ruins and you can go right in. The city itself is also beautiful and the garden where Van Gogh drew his famous picture is preserved as well. The city is walkable too. My kids (13 & 11) enjoyed it. We saw it as part of a tour with the Pont du Gard and Les Baux and it was one of the better days of our vacation.

 

I can't help out with Villefranche because we docked in Monaco in that area. But I think they have a decent beach there.

[SuiteTraveler]

Villafranche is between Nice and Monaco. Another option for that day would be Eze. Monaco has an Aquarium and also a doll museum. You can see the cathedral where Princess Grace and Prince Ranier got married and are now entombed and also tour the palace.

 

Eze is a medieval village at the top of a mountain - great views, incredible buildings - mostly shops nowadays and rather touristy, still very fun to poke around in the stores and eat at a restaurant.

 

Nice - mostly high end mansions - not sure the kids would be excited...