My sister and I are landing in Marseilles and will be joining a group to drive around Provence (staying in Arles). We are renting a car, but don't have a place yet to stay for 5 days prior to the Provence meeting. Where could we go that wouldn't be too ambitious(never driven overseas before), and suggestions for a place to stay! We're leaving in two weeks and I know I need to reserve a place. THANK YOU!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Okay, you're landing in Marseilles but doing Provence later, and want a place to go, before Provence, that won't be too challenging driving-wise (since you've never driven outside the US).
One possibility: You could drive from Marseilles north on the A7 (similar to our interstates) to the Lyon area, and either explore Lyon or head out to the wine country between Lyon and Dijon.
Driving in Lyon itself will be challenging. You could find accommodations in Lyon that clearly say they provide overnight parking (don't assume that all hotels provide easy parking like here).
Or you could sleep in the wine country north of Lyon.
Another choice: Drive east from Marseilles to the Riviera. Again, you wanted easier driving so I'll put in a warning about Nice not being car friendly. You could sleep in Nice, parking the car and getting around by train and regional bus to Antibes, Villefranche, Monaco, etc.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Kristi, you shouldn't worry too much about driving in France. But there are many destinations available to you by rail. You could even spend those 5 days in Paris, which is only 3 hours from Marseilles by TGV.
Also within reach is is the Cote D'Azure (3 hours to Nice), Lyon (2 hours), and even Burgundy (4:15 to Beaune).