Marseille or Nice?

[barnstormer]

We are arriving by air in Nice on a Sunday morning in May. Our ship departs Marseilles (Provence) on Monday evening. We already are planning to use the rail system to travel between the locations however we haven't decided where to stay for Sunday evening.

 

We will not be stopping again in Nice, but docking at Cannes. We have been to Monte Carlo and enjoyed it, but don't need to go there again so we can explore that area of the French coast around Nice and Cannes if we want to travel.

 

There are four of us, we enjoy great food, sights, local shoppes and beach time. We are trying to decide which city to stay at and of course the websites all show theirs as the best of the best.

 

For those of you seasoned travelers - any suggestions or opinions?

 

Thanks for any and all replies.

[kate52]

I would say Nice every time- there is so much variety and the old town, flower market, shops and restaurants are great. We have called at Marseilles on a cruise, but it didn't leave me wanting more.

kate

[moyaroo]

I f the choice has to be Nice or Marseilles, Nice. If you are flexible and can get to Aix en Provence just north of Marseilles or Arles to the West then it is a whole new ball game. Aix is lovely and eating on the Cours Mirabeau is to experience the essence of Provence.

[Keith1010]

I would highly recommend Nice. We prefered it much more than Marseilles.

 

Keith

[Hlitner]

Nice on a Sunday gives you a fun opportunity. They have a terrific Flower Market (which also has all kinds of regional food products) in the old town area along the Cours Seleya. This market opens by 9 and runs until a little after noon (everything is closed by 1 pm). We also strongly recommend going to St Paul de Vence on Sundays where everything is open as opposed to larger cities (such as Nice) where most things are closed. Eze is another possibility (closer to Nice than St Paul de Vence) where most shops are open on Sundays.

 

Hank

[TLCOhio]

We are arriving by air in Nice on a Sunday morning in May. Our ship departs Marseilles (Provence) on Monday evening. We already are planning to use the rail system to travel between the locations however we haven't decided where to stay for Sunday evening. We will not be stopping again in Nice, but docking at Cannes. We have been to Monte Carlo and enjoyed it, but don't need to go there again so we can explore that area of the French coast around Nice and Cannes if we want to travel. There are four of us, we enjoy great food, sights, local shoppes and beach time. We are trying to decide which city to stay at and of course the websites all show theirs as the best of the best. For those of you seasoned travelers - any suggestions or opinions? Thanks for any and all replies.

 

Nice is definitely better. BUT, there are some super great options in villages and towns such as Eze, plus Aix, Les Baux, St. Remy, etc., in the Provence area.

 

EZE COASTAL SUGGESTION: The old village of Eze, along the coast between Nice and Monaco, hangs up in the mountains above the water and crowds. It's wonderful to visit. Great, great views! Totally charming! Have lunch or dinner there at one of the two great eating places and feel like you're sitting on the edge of paradise! At 1,407 feet above the Mediterranean, Eze offers commanding views of cliffs, sea, sprawling estates and off-shore islands. The village's narrow streets or more really paths among the buildings lead to the Jardin Exotique It is a maze of paths flanked by mammoth flowering plants and spiky cactuses. For about $3, you can walk up to the best view on the French Riviera. On a clear day, you can see Corsica! It does not get much better than Eze.

 

Why do people love Provence? It is a region having a love affair with the land, earth and environment. The landscape is lush and verdant. Open-air markets have baskets of fresh herbs, fruits, flowers, fabrics, etc. The colorful spirit of the Mediterranean fills the air. Provence is nature at its purest. The sky is a piercing shade of blue. Fields are abundant and the air is clear. The climate ensures that spring, summer and fall yield magnificent and varied harvests. Throughout France, Provence is known for the best of everything natural. People in the area take great pride in these natural traditions for what they grow and how it is prepared in each village and every kitchen.

 

The only problem is that you will be arriving at the Nice airport with your body clock out of balance, suffering some jet lag and the time zone changes catching up, etc. Lots of options and factors to consider.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio