How long for Marseille?

Stew,

I'd probably pick another city in the area, perhaps Arles? It will provide more of a "small town" experience.

Cheers!

Actually I will be 6 days in Arles biking around the small towns.

And I will be 3 days in Nice.
I will head to Paris for about 5 more days.

I just heard Marseille is a bit rough around the edges and I kind of like that.
It is is a thought.

thanks

Rough around the edges is accurate. It is a pretty gritty place. I've been there twice. Main sites are around the vieux port. If the weather is nice, it is very pleasant to stroll around the old port and see the sights. Go early and see the fresh fish being sold at the water's edge. Sit at a cafe' and watch the boats come and go. Looking seaward from the old port there is a steep hill on the left with a church on top. WWII American tank to be seen up there and the church bears scars from the fighting. I remember sitting on a jetty, smoking a cigar, and ruefully reminicing about lost loves. (Too much information! sorry!) Foreign Legion Headquarters is in Marseille, if I recall correctly. Remember briefly (very briefly!) thinking "I could join and vanish from the face of the earth!" --My parents would not have been amused. Anyway, those are my memories of the place. It is definitely off the beaten path. But I never was able to spend more than 1 day in Marseille without getting the urge to move on. Sounds like a great trip you have planned. Have fun! ...Almost forgot to mention, there are some desert islands off the coast that can be visited by regular boat service. Chateau D'if is one of them: it's where the Count of Monte Christo was supposedly imprisoned. Otherwise, the islands have nice, secluded beaches, but not much else.