Marseille, Lyon 6 days trip suggestion needed

With just 6 days, I’d skip Avignon. The papal palace is mostly empty inside. That and its half-ruined bridge are its main attractions. Arles is much more interesting.
We like having a car; however, I’m pretty sure you can easily go by train between Marseille and Lyon. Parking in either city would likely be quite expensive.

There's plenty to do and see to occupy the days you've allotted to each city, and getting to and between them by public transportation is pretty easy, so there's no need for a car. Besides the cost of parking, driving in those cities can be awful, and it's easier to get around in the cities by foot or public transportation than by car. And like the prior poster, I'd suggest skipping Avignon.

Lyon is marked on our mental maps with a skull-and-crossbones -- NO CAR!! My husband puts it above Paris on his do-not-drive list. Loved the city, once we dumped the car in a garage. Stayed also in Provence (St Remy -- place had outdoor patking)

Have you looked at Rick Steves' Provence book ?

I’d suggest staying in Marseille for 3 nights and just taking a day trip to Arles. I just can’t see checking out of a hotel and then spending just 1 night somewhere else. No, a car would not be recommended. I agree with dropping Avignon. I haven’t used Rick’s Provençe guide but over the years I’ve learned to trust his books. Otherwise, Rough Guide, Lonely Planet, Fodor’s should all be ok.

Lyon is marked on our mental maps with a skull-and-crossbones -- NO CAR!! My husband puts it above Paris on his do-not-drive list.

Well, I took my French driving test in the Lyon area and have driven in both Lyon and Paris. My opinion is that drivers in both cities are nuts but motorbike drivers are worse and even crazier than car drivers.

In my honest, and somewhat experienced opinion, Lyon is easier than Paris for driving. But both can be very difficult and frustrating for those unfamiliar with the traffic. I would rather drive in Lyon than Paris, but I would rather park the car somewhere and rely on the (excellent) mass transit in both cities rather than drive. It's cheaper. Faster. And less stressful.

Thank you for all your advice. We will skip Avignon then.

Have you looked at Rick Steves' Provence book ?

@Laura B
Marseille and Arles are in that book but no Lyon. Is there some guidebook that includes all three cities?

I just can’t see checking out of a hotel and then be spending just 1
night somewhere else.

@Philip
We won't be staying at a hotel, we will rent an apartment through Airbnb.

One more advice needed (for now):
So, our flight is Venice - Marseille - Venice. In your opinion is it better to go directly the first day from Marseille to Lyon and then that we end the trip with Marseille (as it is our point of return)?
What I thought was getting a train or a bus on the first day to Lyon, spending two or three nights in Lyon, one in Arles and the final destination of our trip would be Marseille.

We won't be staying at a hotel, we will rent an apartment through Airbnb.

FYI, I’ve rented through Air B&B and it has always taken more time checking into and out of a rental than doing so at a hotel. By the time you meet the apartment’s rep, get the keys, settle in and then reverse the process the next morning, you’ve most likely taken more time than the round trip from Marseille. I’ve stayed overnight in Arles twice for multiple nights and see no benefit of spending 1 night there.

I usually search for self check in/out apartments. And also, I have some travel credits on Airbnb so I will travel for much less then booking a hotel ;) ;)

You do not need a car for any of these cities, but you might WANT a car to sightsee in the Rhone valley. If you get one I would chose a small city like Arles or a small town like St Remy as a base, not Avignon.

The trick to renting a car is knowing when to turn it in! I'd do so before boarding the train to Lyon, though you could make a case for driving to Lyon and turning it in there.