Any reason to spend a night in Marseilles?

There is plenty to see in Marseille. Not knowing your interests, how tired you get from flying or where you are flying from, not knowing the time of year and if you are used to heat, it's difficult to say anymore. How many days before you embark would make a difference. Would you want to change hotels for only one night?

We all only have so much vacation time. It is not that Marseille has nothing to offer, it is just that what western Provence offers is so much more interesting.

Marseille is a large, urban French city with historic features near its harbor and archaeological wonders at various places within the city. It's a base for touring areas outside the city by boat, and has some great restaurants. It also provides an informative lesson on how French culture and north African culture meld; especially in its markets.

Avignon is a nice, smaller town with some interesting and very famous sights.

As for me, I'd spend more time in Marseille than Avignon; but -- to be honest -- I prefer cities, warts and all.

In planning our trip this year flying into MRS we found that Aix-en-Provence was just a close if not closer to the airport than going into Marseille. If that one day is all you have before the cruise begins in Avignon though I think I would go directly to Avignon.

Aix-en-Provence is the exact same distance from MRS as is Marseille.

The comparison here is not between the two cities of Avignon and Marseille. It is between a night in Marseille or more time in the area of Avignon which includes: St Rémy (les Alpilles), l´Ile sur la Sorgue, Gordes, les Baux de Provence, Roussillon, Uzès, Pont du Gard, and possibly Arles.

Whatever time you have allotted for the Avignon area, it will not be enough.

I planned a trip to Nice and had to fly into Marseille. I had no problem extending my trip so I spent my first 2 nights (1-1/2 days) in Marseille first. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. There is a lot to see. If I'd had one more day, I could have filled that as well.

I despise when people are anti-Marseille. I love this city so much. Yes, it's rough around the edges, but it offers so many amazing highlights. Franchement, one day doesn't do it justice.

bouillabaisse!

and Calanques National Park

I would always embrace an opportunity to see a new place if given the chance. You might not plan a trip specifically to Marseilles but since you happen to be flying in there, why not check it out?

We spent 4 weeks in France a few years ago and the only rudeness we experienced was in Marseilles! From restaurants to transport and shops, every single person was incredibly rude, it was nothing like what we experienced in the Alps, Normandy, and Paris!

Thanks to all! You have given me lots to think about as I plan for next year.