Aix, Arles or Marseille for UEFA Euro '16 base
Aug 24th, 2015, 07:01 PM
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Aix, Arles or Marseille for UEFA Euro '16 base
Excited to have tickets to a UEFA Euro 2016 game in Marseille. Folks here aren't too keen on the town compared to others nearby, so would love advice on whether or not we should make another town our base for a few days -- say Aix, Arles or Cassis -- and brave a train ride in and back the night of the game. I say "brave" in anticipation of lots and lots of people. Having been in Geneva for the '08 Euro we know the volume of people to expect (and that was part of the fun!), but we were staying in the city so getting back to the hotel wasn't too onerous.
We would have about four nights to spare in Marseille or nearby. We currently don't plan to have a car, but would consider one if taking day trips is difficult by train.
We will be coming from a few days in Nice for a game there, and headed to St. Etienne/Lyon following Marseille.
We've previously spent time in Avignon and Nice and prefer to see new towns, but are open to suggestions.
The advice we've received on these forums has been invaluable over the years! I appreciate any additional input.
We would have about four nights to spare in Marseille or nearby. We currently don't plan to have a car, but would consider one if taking day trips is difficult by train.
We will be coming from a few days in Nice for a game there, and headed to St. Etienne/Lyon following Marseille.
We've previously spent time in Avignon and Nice and prefer to see new towns, but are open to suggestions.
The advice we've received on these forums has been invaluable over the years! I appreciate any additional input.
Aug 25th, 2015, 05:24 AM
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The stadium won't be fuller than each weekend. They are used to handle the masses. Expect party atmosphere before and after the game. It is always advisable to take public transport, especially after having a beer or two during and after the game.
From the stadium you get to the train station by metro.
https://www.om.net/actualites/112492...tade-velodrome
From the train station:
The shortest way is to Cassis - about 23 minutes with a regional train.
To Aix the connections take 30 to 40 minutes, either by regional train or TGV.
To Avignon its 33 minutes by TGV only.
To Arles, there are no convenient train connections.
So you have many options. Travelwise, Cassis would be nearest. There you have scenic coastline and beaches in many small coves.
Aix is a medium-sized city with typical Provencal charm.
Avignon has a lot to offer, touristwise. The Old Town, the Papal Palace and much Roman history in the surrounding area.
From the stadium you get to the train station by metro.
https://www.om.net/actualites/112492...tade-velodrome
From the train station:
The shortest way is to Cassis - about 23 minutes with a regional train.
To Aix the connections take 30 to 40 minutes, either by regional train or TGV.
To Avignon its 33 minutes by TGV only.
To Arles, there are no convenient train connections.
So you have many options. Travelwise, Cassis would be nearest. There you have scenic coastline and beaches in many small coves.
Aix is a medium-sized city with typical Provencal charm.
Avignon has a lot to offer, touristwise. The Old Town, the Papal Palace and much Roman history in the surrounding area.
Aug 25th, 2015, 05:51 AM
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I'm sure sure who "folks here" are? People you know and are traveling with? Sounds like you've never been to Marseille. If you mean Fodors, I don't recall reading posts like that. But people always vary in how much they like a place, so I'm sure some people may not like Marseille, but I'm sure it isn't some vast majority on Fodors or I would have noticed it.
I'd stay in Marseille myself but I like the city and since you plan to go to a game there, that would do it for me. You've been to Avignon so I can see you don't want to stay there.
I'm not sure what you think is so terrible in Marseille that you don't want to stay there. Do you have any idea what is in Marseille? I'd decide based on what day trips you want to do and how convenient that would be from Aix vs. Marseille. I don't think any other place is that feasible to stay in if you intend to go home from a soccer game to that city by train, except maybe Arles. I think Aix would be best for day trips due to transport options, but again, that depends where you want to go on your day trips. Maybe those places would be closer to Arles. You can get TER trains of less than an hour direct from Marseille to either Aix or Arles. But I don't know what time those games would let out and when you would get to the train station. Because there may not be any trains to Arles after 9 pm, but there probably are to Aix.
I'd stay in Marseille myself but I like the city and since you plan to go to a game there, that would do it for me. You've been to Avignon so I can see you don't want to stay there.
I'm not sure what you think is so terrible in Marseille that you don't want to stay there. Do you have any idea what is in Marseille? I'd decide based on what day trips you want to do and how convenient that would be from Aix vs. Marseille. I don't think any other place is that feasible to stay in if you intend to go home from a soccer game to that city by train, except maybe Arles. I think Aix would be best for day trips due to transport options, but again, that depends where you want to go on your day trips. Maybe those places would be closer to Arles. You can get TER trains of less than an hour direct from Marseille to either Aix or Arles. But I don't know what time those games would let out and when you would get to the train station. Because there may not be any trains to Arles after 9 pm, but there probably are to Aix.
Aug 25th, 2015, 05:55 AM
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The last scheduled weekday train to Avignon leaves Marseilles St Charles at 2052 - and you've got to get to the Metro station and then to wherever in the city is handiest for the train.
My experience is that the big football tournaments simply don't generate the interest for railways to put on extra trains to towns 50 miles away or more: the crowd for your matches can't be more than 63,000, and SNCF sees no reason to put on extra trains the 20 or so times a year the stadium gets that crowd). SNCF might - but I wouldn't book in Avignon till I had more than a "might"
Sounds like Cassis or Aix. But even so: the last normal train to Aix is 2316. If an evening game goes to extra time and shootouts, you may struggle to get through the departing crowds in time.
I'd check such details very carefully indeed. It doesn't take much going wrong for the journey from the stand to the station to take a lot longer than you might think.
My experience is that the big football tournaments simply don't generate the interest for railways to put on extra trains to towns 50 miles away or more: the crowd for your matches can't be more than 63,000, and SNCF sees no reason to put on extra trains the 20 or so times a year the stadium gets that crowd). SNCF might - but I wouldn't book in Avignon till I had more than a "might"
Sounds like Cassis or Aix. But even so: the last normal train to Aix is 2316. If an evening game goes to extra time and shootouts, you may struggle to get through the departing crowds in time.
I'd check such details very carefully indeed. It doesn't take much going wrong for the journey from the stand to the station to take a lot longer than you might think.
Aug 25th, 2015, 07:46 AM
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I agree with staying in Marseille and for another day. The basilica
http://www.notredamedelagarde.com/
is spectacular and the food available around the port is excellent. Cassis is an easy train ride as well.
DH and I based in Aix and took a bus to Marseille. We found bus travel easier from Aix than the train. It took about 1/2 hour in non-commute times.
Getting to the gare on time and then getting to another hotel in another town doesn't compare to just taking a taxi to your hotel--especially in the evening.
Otherwise, I'd vote Aix and see about the bus/train times.
http://www.notredamedelagarde.com/
is spectacular and the food available around the port is excellent. Cassis is an easy train ride as well.
DH and I based in Aix and took a bus to Marseille. We found bus travel easier from Aix than the train. It took about 1/2 hour in non-commute times.
Getting to the gare on time and then getting to another hotel in another town doesn't compare to just taking a taxi to your hotel--especially in the evening.
Otherwise, I'd vote Aix and see about the bus/train times.
