barefootbeach

Hello,
Our ship will dock in Marseille on a Saturday in mid-September from 8a-6p...which gives us about 8 hours of touring time. We've been to Provence several times driving around on our own, but never to Marseille, which in the past we've avoided. However, it looks like there are plenty of things to see there and some intriguing neighborhoods to walk around. It's still a larger city...perhaps still dirty & gritty...so would the experience be less enjoyable than taking the train to the more picturesque village of Cassis?

If we stay in Marseille, I'd want to tour the MuCem, Basilica of Notre Dam, Vieux Port, explore Le Panier...and of course, shop and eat Bouillabaisse.

I'd love to hear your thoughts about this..plus any other recommendations. Thanks so much!

khor

Would you consider visiting the Chateau d'If while in Marseille? If so, I'd say there is enough to do there for one day. Cassis is charming, but considering that you have spent time in other towns in Provence, it might interesting to stay in Marseille and see another side of the South of France.

dwdvagamundo

Have not been to Cassis, but Marseille is fascinating. We spent a day there, and would love to return and spend more time.

Whathello

Marseille ils one of the few cities I have never liked. But I am sure it lies with me.
For one day I would do cassis. More relaxing.

Underhill

Depends on your interests. Marseille has a fine new art gallery, the beautiful perched church, and lots more. Cassis is a fishing village.

suec1

But what about the calenques in Cassis? those have always looked so interesting to me!

Christina

One can't spend all days looking at rocks and cliffs. I just can't see spending all day in Cassis, taking a boat trip to see the calanques takes an hour or so, depending if you want to see 3 or 5 (that one a bit longer). If you go all out to see 9 of them, the boat trip lasts almost 2 hrs. Then what. It was scenic, with the inlet, just like lots of nice scenery by the sea.

It does depend on your interests, if you like urban things or want a boat ride and then to sit around or something, I guess. But if you got back early, you could sit around Marseille's port.

Who knows which would be more enjoyable, all cities can be dirty and gritty, that doesn't make them less enjoyable to me if they are more interesting. For me, Marseille is more enjoyable as there is more to do and see, but I like cities.

I wouldn't go to Marseille to shop, not sure what you are looking for.

Whathello

I can stay one day at cassis.
Some hours for les calanques then a walk along Le sentier du littoral with some stops to swim in between a good restaurant.
The rest of the time looking at the rocks.

barefootbeach

Thanks to all!
We will be cruising by the Calanques by ship...and I've previously visited them in Corsica so I can skip that. I think you're right that we'll be seeing other fishing villages on cruise (Sanary-sur-Mer) so probably better to stay in Marseille. I think Chateau d'Iff would take too much time.
So, hopefully Marseille won't be too stressful to walk around. I'm most frustrated because I couldn't locate a good Bouillabaisse restaurant that wasn't obscenely expensive....most got pretty bad reviews either regarding bland broth or horrible service. I did locate three other type restaurants that might work...one's even in the Vieux Port..Au Bout du Quai....and the other two are away from the hustle of the port...La Table du Fort or Dayo.
Any other suggestions?