Perplexed about Marseilles
 

Hi - I just don't know what to do in this port! Does anyone have any good suggestions. The excursions offered are ungodly expensive. I'd like to go to Aix en Provence but it sounds really difficult to do. Any ideas Fodorites?

To be honest - this particular site within Fodors isn't that well attended anymore since registration. I would ask this question on the Europe part of this site.

Peter

Marseilles gets a bad reputation, but it is actually a very interesting place! I was living in Paris for the last year and went there several times. I would start by doing one of the bus tours, which you can hop on right down by the water. Then you'll be able to see all the different areas of town and then decide what parts you'd like to go back to for further exploration. There are several great museums, but my favorite thing to do is just walk around and soak in the atmosphere!

Getting a train to Aix shouldn't be that tough, but I'd agree with Meola that it's an interesting town on its own, much improved from a visitor's perspective than in the past.

The port is a long way from the central part of the city, so you'll need to take a cab in all likelihood. Once there, spend your time walking around the old port area, up through some very attractive semi-pedestrian streets to the main commercial area. Shop, eat, indulge at La Boutique du Glacier, just around the corner from the Air France office on the main street - in a country of astonishing bakeries/ice cream shops, this one is pure gold.

Do your serious shopping in Marseille - that Provencal fabric you'd love for napkins or tablecloths? Buy it here for 1/2 the price in the tourist towns.

If you're desparate for an excursion, take the ferry to the Ile d'If, in the harbor. Read <i>The Count of Monte Cristo</i> first - it's the setting for M. Dumas' story.

There is an excellent article - &quot;Provence&quot; on page 2 of luxurycruisetalk.com. There are many taxis in the centre of marseilles, and Aix is only a 20 minute ride.