Marseille vs Aix en provence

[MOLLICRUISIN]

Trying to decide on how to spend our day when we port in Marseille. What kind of experience would we be getting if we went to Marseille or Aix.

 

 

Thank you!

[mskaufman]

On our last trip to the area we went to Aix. Here is a link to our pictures.

 

https://markandkareneurope2012.shutterfly.com/pictures/497

 

This year we have a planned stop in Marseille. DW is a teach and the French teach in her school who has spent much time in France advised us to go anywhere but stay in Marseille. We are leaning towards going to Arles, but if we had not been to Aix, that would have been our choice.

[ollienbertsmum]

I have been to Provence several times.

 

The first time in Marseilles we were cruise newbies, we wandered into the old port area (which is lovely and if you just want to eat French food is a nice little port stop) and then just wandered - but it was a Sunday so we did not see much.

 

The second time in Marseilles we must have got a shuttle into the port area and walked up to the Notre Dame de La Garde. It was a nice walk and a good visit. We walked back down into town and did some shopping, had a coffee and went back to the shuttle stop. I felt that we had a good day in Marseille

 

The next cruise to Provence we stopped in Toulon and we decided we would make more of the stop and went to Aix en Provence. It was more expensive but very nice and I would highly recommend a trip there. If you have a full day in Marseiiles I am sure that a trip there by train would be really easy.

 

In two weeks time I will be back to Marseilles. I have decided to go again on a ship tour (the only ship tour of the 5 port cruise) because the stop is from 7 am to 4 pm. I would have taken a bus to Cassis to see the Calanques but I am concerned about getting back for 4 pm. I have always wanted to see Avignon so I am using the opportunity to go there for only $90 each for the two of us. If we were in a bigger group I would not hesitate to get a private tour but I am sure that I will be back on a Western Med cruise again so I do not feel the need to splurge.

 

So - if you want a low key stop and have never seen Marseilles, there are things to do - the old port and the Notre Dame - plus a tourist train that you can ride on.

 

If you have a full day there are options such as Aix or Cassis that you can visit on public transport. Alternatively if it is a 'once in a lifetime' trip I would recommend a private tour to whisk you through Provence, but it will be more expensive.