Doing a 7 day cruise on MSC from Genova and one stop is Marseille. Considering Avignon, Aix en Province or Cassis, unless it is worth spending the day in Marseille. Seems Marseille is not really the best stop in the area.
We have pretty much all day 8:00AM to 6PM.
Going this March so not beach weather. Just any interesting place to visit.
thanks. Rick
Rick,
Getting off the ship and onto land will take a bit of time, so you will probably have closer to eight hours, than ten. I like Marseille, but I might choose Aix-en-Provence for my day. It is a rather short bus or train ride (under an hour). It is a lovely university town with a charming centre-ville, a Cezanne atelier, markets three days a week, a flower market, and nice streets for strolling or cafe sitting. A very relaxing way to enjoy your day in Provence.
Marseille has lots to see and do and, in my opinion, its reputation should be much better than it is. It has the Mediterranean Civilizations museum at MUCEM (Marseille was a Greek outpost called Massilia long before the Romans took over), the Frioul islands (and Chateau d'If, the castle with a prison where Dumas' fictional Count of Monte Cristo was imprisoned...you can tour the prison there), the neo-Byzantine Cathedrale la Major (very opulent interior), Cathedrale Notre Dame de la Garde (with bullet holes from attacks during WWII still in the walls, and ship models hanging inside for the fishermen who died at sea), the Vieux Port (fishermen still come in the early morning to sell their fish... think of the movie "Fanny" with Leslie Caron), the Panier district (oldest neighborhood), Parc Borely (gardens), the Vallon des Auffes (another spot where fisherman keep their boats and bring in their catches). And last but not least it is the birthplace of bouillabaisse! (Sorry, Nice, we stick with the claim!)
Cassis or Avignon don't have what Aix and Marseille do, IMO. Avignon is further awa,y, and Cassis just isn't for me. (YMMV)
Whatever you decide, enjoy!
Aix or Marseille. Note if you are on foot that Marseille has a few hills but almost everything of interest is in the flatter area.
Thank you so much Judy. I think we will go to Aix en Province however you do make a strong case for Marseille. Perhaps we will have time for a little of both. Will be reading more about both. One case for Cassis I saw was a boat ride to see coast of Calanques which sounded interesting. And I think Avignon is too far. And the popes palace was described as an empty deserted palace and a let down.
Rick
And thanks Elizabeth. Your comment solidifies the case for AIx and Marseilles!
Your ship will probably sail by the Calanques either coming or going. They start at the edge of Marseille.
Also, there are boat tours to the Calanques out of Marseille. No need to go to Cassis for that.
Excellent points both Elizabeth and Balso!
thanks.
Hi -
Just a quick note. Two years ago I took a cruise and did a day trip to Cassis - it was beautiful. Took the train. It's about a 45 minute walk to town. Had lunch, shopped and when it was time to catch our train in about 30 minutes I called for an uber. There were 8 of us. An uber came. It was the only uber! No taxi's. Without getting into all the details, but I will say it made for one of my fav memories from the trip, it was the first time I've almost missed the ship! I've been on 10 cruises and this was the first time I was sweating it!
So keep in mind that Cassis is lovely and worth visiting, but add an hour walk back to catch your train back to the boat!!!
suzanne
