Free time after RS BOEF tour

To steal a wonderful line from our frequent poster Chani, comparing Marseille and Lyon isn't comparing apples and oranges, it's comparing apples and bicycles.

I prefer Lyon (my favorite city in France next to Paris) to Marseille, but I found Marseille very interesting as well. A big difference is that, while Lyon is affluent and feels comfortable to visit, Marseille is scruffy and resists grooming.

Others report different experiences, but I found almost no English in Marseille; as a result, my French improved dramatically in my two days there!

I don't think you can "lose" with either choice. Or, if you have a few days, do both. You can "hit the highlights" and get a feel for Marseille in one day, and two days in Lyon is a good taste (of course, you can spend more time in each). I see your tour ends in Aix, so getting to Marseille is fast and easy. Marseille to Lyon is about two hours, and Lyon to Paris is also about 2 hours. You can even get a train from Lyon to CDG, if you just want to go to an airport hotel the night before your flight.

Thanks Harold! I read somewhere that one day in Aix-en-Provence was enough. We will do this with the RS tour. Should I spend one more day there or move on? I enjoy walking the streets, churches, nature, and parks. I do not really shop.

I'd agree that one day is generally enough to explore Aix but note that the tour drives three hours in the morning before arriving there. Your tour itinerary says that you'll see a good market day in Beaune, but if you're up for one more, then the large Saturday Market in Aix is one of its main attractions. I love market days for the food, people watching, and photo ops, so I personally would stay for that reason. There will be some regional differences in the products.

Staying in Aix is also a fine way to daytrip to Marseille, 45 minutes each way on the regional train. Marseille doesn't have many great hotel values, according to our researchers. If you want to change hotels in Aix, this hotel has a true single room that might be cheaper than the tour hotel: http://www.lesquatredauphins.fr/tarifs.html.

I didn't care for Aix (I'm not a market person). In addition, while Rick emphasized the purring wealth of the town (saying things like "be sure to bring your dark shades to blend in with the beautiful people"), I did not see this aspect of it.

I was in Marseille in 2006 and haven't checked since, but I stayed at the Hotel Alizé. It's right at the port, and some rooms have a port view; these are naturally more expensive than rooms that face the back, but it was a great view. Note that there are stairs to climb before you get to an elevator, and little English was spoken there. I'd still look to stay there again. http://www.alize-hotel.com/en/

I have been to and love both Marseille and Lyon but I lean toward Marseille. It is France's second largest city and is a gritty melting pot. I have referred to it as the Bronx of France. As Rodney Dangerfield said "l don't get no respect." Walk the coastal path but also take a boat trip to the calanques passing by Chateau d'If. Visit the Basilica, splurge on bouillabaisse, go to the early morning fish market on the quay at Vieux Porte. Enjoy a great Italian meal or an excellent pizza a few blocks south of the port at Chez Vincent at 25 rue Glandeves. Absorb Marseille. Another benefit might be that Lyon could be more crowed with tourists. I don't think you could go wrong either way.

We haven't been to Marseille, but we really enjoyed three days in Lyon last September. The city is very easy to navigate and wasn't an expensive city. We bought 1-day metro passes two different days. The Vieux Lyon area with the traboules was fun to explore, and we really enjoyed the Roman museum and sites on the hilltop.

Thank you for the responses. One more question. Would it be too risky to leave Lyon at 6am for a same day flight leaving Charles de Gualle at 10:10am? Is it best to come to Paris the night before? Thanks again!

"Would it be too risky to leave Lyon at 6am for a same day flight leaving Charles de Gualle at 10:10am?

Yes. It's about 2 hours from Lyon to CDG, and for an international flight you should be at CDG 3 hours before departure. So, even if your train is on time, you're cutting it short at CDG; if there's any disruption and your train is late, you could miss your plane.

"Is it best to come to Paris the night before?"

Yes. You can stay at a hotel right on airport property (there are other threads about these), and then take the CDG VAL (automated train) right to your terminal the next morning.