Marseille in December

Marseille in December is great. I spent 9 days there last Christmas. It's a pretty quick taxi ride to the Vieux Port but there is also a bus that goes from the Airport to the Gare St. Charles. Then from there you can either walk (15-20 min) or take the metro (5 minutes or so) directly to the old port (where are you staying? ).

From the Vieux Port all you have to do is take the train back at Gare St. Charles to Avignon. I found Marseille to be a fantastic place to stay while touring Provence. There's no shortage of things to do in the city.
More info about the bus here:
http://www.marseille-airport.com/access-car-parks/access/bus

We were just in the old port area this past year. What a change from 15 years or so ago. It has really cleaned up. It once was a little sketchy but no more. We used the public buses with no concern. Take the train Avignon. Last month we flew into Marseille and took the train to Avignon. No problems. Our perception was that it is very safe.

Thanks for the responses! I'm happy and relieved to hear so many positive things about Marseille. The travel details are much appreciated. We are staying at the Grand Hotel Beauvau.

The Beauvau is a great hotel. If you have the choice, you should ask for a room that overlooks the Old Port, so you can see the fishing boats come in very, very early in the morning.

I, too, stayed at the Grand Hotel Beauvau. It is lovely. It's about a 30 second walk from the metro station. I recommend taking a look on "Google street view." That way when you arrive you'll have a better idea of the neighborhood.
The breakfast at the hotel is very expensive, but it's delicious and the view of the port is crazy-amazing.

I can't wait to go back to Marseille!

How is the weather in December? Will I need a winter coat, rain coat? Any packing advice would be welcome!

Will I need a winter coat, rain coat?

Yes, but it's a different kind of cold. It will probably be sunny, but if the wind starts blowing down the Rhone Valley, it's icy. You should dress in layers that you can add or take off: long-sleeve t-shirt, thin wool sweater, light winter coat, neck scarf, gloves, leggings. But don't forget your sunglasses.

Well I wonder what that wind was that I felt during the 6 months I lived in Cassis from December to June and went into Marseille 2 or 3 times a week. It must have been my imagination. Obviously a senior moment.

I had no idea how to appropriately dress while I was there. I had a winter coat and a heavier jacket. I didn;t need the winter coat once, but I do get hot easily.

Maybe it's because Marseille is the Bouche du Rhone, the mouth of the Rhone River and Valley is two hours west of the Côte d'Azur, commonly known as the Riviera for English-speaking readers.

Thanks so much for the weather info and advice on layering. I would appreciate thoughts on prearranged tours of Marseille and other areas of Provence. If I take a train to Avignon or other towns will I be able to get to sites on foot?

http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/ Be sure to avoid the bump to RailEurope.
There are two ways to train it to Avignon from Marseille Saint Charles station. The fast TGV makes the run in just over a half hour but the TGV station is on the outskirts of Avignon requiring a shuttle train, taking a few minutes, to the entrance of the walled city. The regional TER service takes twice as long and the rolling stock is less comfortable, with no seat reservation, but it arrives at the Centre station. The TGV can be cheaper if bought well in advance. Everything in Avignon is within normal walking distance.