marseilles or nice

What are their interests? If they're art lovers, then it's Nice for sure. Outside of Paris, Nice and the surrounding area have the best art museums in France.

It really depends on what they're looking for. I love the culture and bustle and grit of Marsielle, but some tourists don't. I haven't been to Nice but my understanding is that it's definitely m ore of a beach town - there are beaches in Marsielle but they're pretty far away from the city center. But Nice is much more of a tourist destination than Marsielle.

Without any more specific information, I'd answer Nice without hesitation. With Nice, you have easy access to other costal towns, beaches and principalities. Monaco is a short train ride and fun to see how the 1% lives.

I'd vote for Nice. I have been to both and just love that region of France. The towns are just lovely and so easily excessable by train. There is a lot to see.
This will be my third spring traveling there.

In Marsielle's defense, it's worth mentioning that there are beautiful towns easily day trippable from Marsielle - both Aix-en-Provence and Cassis, for example. But more information about what they're looking for would be helpful.

Kathryn, My vote would also be for Nice. Not only is it a beautiful city, but it's a great "home base" location for touring in the area. There are also some good Museums there (Chagall and Matisse as I recall). Some of the possibilities for day trips are Villefranche sur Mer, Monaco / Monte Carlo or Eze. Cheers!

I have been to both and would choose Nice without hesitation. Another alternative would be Montpellier and that area..The small village of Caux has an excellent B&B - The Stone House Inn.. It is near Penzas.