Paris to Marseilles

On the high speed TGV it's a little over 3 hours, the train goes really fast on this route. If you buy tickets well in advance it can be as cheap as 25 euros particularly if you are flexible with which days and times you can go. But the "normal" price can be as high as 88 euro on popular trains at the last minute.

Maybe it doesn't go to Marseilles for a reason. Not high on my list of places in France to visit.

Thanks for replies. Would be interested in the reason why it's not high on your list, John.

I'm sure others have other points of view, and I'm a different poster to whom you addressed your question but I will tell you why its not on my list. When I'm on the Cote d'Azur, which is most winters or early springs, I gravitate either to Monaco and the area east of Nice (and a few places west) which I love because of its winter weather and compact walking areas and fantastic shore; or the area people tend to think of when they speak of Provence - Arles, Avignon, Orange, Camargue, Luberon, and the small villages around there, but usually later in the year. Frankly Marseilles to me is a place to change trains or avoid on the Autoroute. Part of that is that there is so much much more to do in the areas I've mentioned that it just doesn't get a look in, but probably some is actually prejudice based on being there in the early 1970s. RS describes (or described) Marseilles as "gritty" and that was certainly my memory. I just don't have any reason to go there. My time when I am on holiday is precious and perhaps when (if ever) I exhaust the two nearby areas I've described I'll have a peek. Its just too busy, big, and we don't much do "gritty". Perhaps when we visit the Cassis area for calanques. Calanques are cool.

Thanks Nigel. Not keen on 'gritty' either. It's probably why our tour doesn't go there as the places you mentioned, where we do go, are much nicer.

I found Marseilles interesting, but it's not what most tourists want to see. "Gritty" and "filled with character" are accurate descriptions, and my hotel room had a view of the port, which was nice. If you go, be aware I found very little English spoken there. My French improved considerably in the two days I was there; fun for me, but probably stressful for most. Most tourists wouldn't want to go to Marseilles. If you're looking for a French big city that's different from Paris, do go to Lyon - my favorite place in France outside the capital. And, it's only 2 hours away on the TGV (be sure to book way in advance for best fares).

There are only a few really great multi-cultural cities in the world: London, Singapore, Beriut, New York, and......Marseille. Skip it and you miss a lot.

I had always heard of Marseilles as interesting, as you refer to it, but only saw its train station on the way to Toulon. the last time over twelve years ago. The newest French carrier the " Charles de Gaulle" was in port at Toulon at the time. Pulling in to the Marseilles train station was also interesting...unique. Marseilles will just have to be saved for another trip.

I'm so glad Ed and I can agree on something! Please take the negative opinions about Marsielle with a grain of salt. And note that one is from someone who doesn't seem to have been there, and the other is from someone who hasn't been since the 70s, where Marsielle was a lot "grittier" than it is now. It's a fascinating city. No, it doesn't really cater to tourists, and yes, it is not the cleanest or most orderly city (then again, neither is Paris!) I think it's a fantastic place well worth visiting, however. Maybe not for an extended stay, but 2 nights then moving on to nearby Cassis or somewhere else on the Cote d'Azur (some place guaranteed to be heavily trafficked by tourists and more expensive than Marsielle, by the way) is another option. Or you could stay in Aix-en-Provence one night, Marsielle one night, then move on to those charming yet expensive coastal towns. That would be a lovely trip by train. I look forward to returning to Marsielle. And frankly I think advice that is basically "this place sucks, don't go there," is somewhat rude. I am not in the habit of recommending that people go out of their way to visit Rothenburg but I give my reasons why - it's overly touristy, and there are less-touristed equally (or nearly equally) charming towns near viritually any city in Germany. Warning someone that Marsielle may not be what they're expecting is fine, but just "don't go there?" How do you know what other people want from their travels? The NY times travel site has a bunch of articles written about Marsielle from the last couple of years, I suggest checking them out and deciding if Marsielle is for you or not. Also, the people there are the friendliest I encountered in France so far!

I concur with the positive statements about Marseilles. It's a fascinating city, and the central part is beautiful. I am also very fond of Lyon, and it is a quicker trip from Paris.