LynFrance

We have vacationed in France once or twice a year for many years but somehow we have never spent any time at all in Marseilles.
It seems that some areas have undergone a renewal of some sort.

Has anyone spent any time there lately?
Any suggestions for hotels/restaurants ?

Is there enough of interest to spend a day or two there, or would a day trip be adequate?

Thanks for any information.

LynFrance

kerouac

I will be returning there this year precisely because it is a European Capital for Culture for 2013 -- and they have made some sensational preparations for it including new muséums and a totally renovated Vieux Port.

LynFrance

Thanks Kerouac.
Seems like not too popular a destination!
LynFrance

kerouac

Yes, only 4 million tourists last year.

LynFrance

No need to be snide.

I meant with the Fodor travellers...since yours was the only response!

LynFrance

kerouac

And I am still the only person to answer, because people from the American oriented sites have been told that Marseille is a horrible place to be avoided. They all want to go to Monte Carlo.

Anyway, I have just scheduled 2 full days in Marseille at the beginning of July before going to the Avignon festival, so I won't be able to give an authentic update until then.

Christina

no, the reason is just because no one noticed the post, that's all, and it sank quickly.

I was there a couple years ago, I really recommend an Accor hotel in the McGallery collection, Grand Hotel Beauvau or something like that, very convenient near the port. Of course there is enough to do for a couple days, I was there about 4, as I recall.

Sorry, I don't take notes on restaurants, I just eat at places I see that look decent, don't usually plan.

Digbydog

I noticed the post and have been awaiting replies, but I agree with Lyn that Marseille probably is not terribly popular with Fodorites.

I was in school in Aix a number of years ago when every train out of Aix stopped in Marseille first. We were advised by school not to leave the train station in the evening because of the crime. I did visit the city during the day and can't say it is any place to which I am dying to return. However, I understand it has improved in the intervening years.

We have one day in Aix at the end of our trip in June, and my son is dying to visit Marseille instead of spending that day in Aix. I was hoping you would get some responses that I could forward on to him. Despite the fact that Marseille is a European Capital of Culture this year, I would rather spend our time in Aix and will be sending my son off to Marseille by himself.

LynFrance

Thanks all.

Have a good trip, Digbydog.

LynFrance

mzani

Marseille is among the top destinations for 2013.
New landmark museum MUCEM or the Villa Mediterranee,
Remodeled Old port by Foster
Brand new Intercontinental Hotel and the awarded by Conde Nast Sofitel are among the best 5*in France
Good base for,
Day trips to Aix en Provence,Avignon,Arles,Cassis,and Luberon and Vaucluse villages

kerouac

I'm going to be staying at the Ibis Budget for just 60€ a night right on the Vieux Port. Aix is rather sleepy and boring as far as I am concerned. Marseille is a vibrant and busy place.

mzani

Ibis is good not exactly on the Port but 5-8min walk.AFew steps from the unique Haussmann style, Avenue de la Republique.
There is a starbucks and the Maison de la Glace ice cream shop on the avenue de la Republique
For fun ,do not miss the mini cruise from old Port to Pointe Rouge beach or to the Calanques.
You will also find a nearby shopping mall ,Galleries Lafayette an excellent sushi shop/restaurant and a gourmet super market .

Digbydog

Thanks Lyn. Hope you have a good trip too!

Kerouac-- I think my 24 year old son would agree with you about the comparison between Aix and Marseille. However, I adore Aix.

kerouac

Mzani, the Ibis Budget Vieux Port on rue Sainte (former Etap Hôtel) is a grand total of 200 meters from the dock of the Vieux Port. You are obviously thinking about the 'normal' Ibis, which is considerably more expensive.

mzani

@ Kerouac
Ibis Budget is indeed overlooking the picturesque Place Estienne d'Orves right in the middle of the action ,safe,with plenty of restaurants and cafés around like i.e. La Côte de Boeuf (frecnh style cookshow grill) and Paul & Kopa for pizzas and local delicacies (like the suppions,aubergine provençale etc...)

Rue Sainte is THE 'gastro' street of Marseille with i.e. the excellent Ambassade de Bretagne for 'crêpes' and not only, La Poule Noire or l 'Aromat (value for money ),
there is also a Maison de la Glace ,icecream shop on Rue Sainte.
and of course the nearby Depuichafray pastry shop /deli take away.

TPAYT

bookmarking

DebitNM

We were there in late February. We stayed at The Grand Tonic; great location and price. We used Marseille Greeters for a tour. Our guide actually spent the entire day with us, it was excellent. We had a delightful lunch at Une Table, Au Sud.

http://www.unetableausud.com/

DebitNM

We were there for 3 days. Forgot to mention that.

kappa1

Have stayed numérous times at both IBIS ( Ibis Bourse ) on Rue Colbert (by RUE DE LA République ) and ETAP Vieux-Port ( now called - somewhat upgraded? - IBIS Budget).

Etap/IBIS Vieux-Port is exceptionally centrally situated. Most Etaps are located usually out of city center, suburban, by the motorway locations so Location/Price ratio of this one is great. What I don't like is, the rooms are somewhat dark with one small window, especially when you get one of the rooms facing COURS Honoré Estienne d'Orves, a tiny window. It was a place nice enough to sleep, in a hot summer, with air-con that worked well. Not bad for 1* hotel. €60 is only a bit more than what I have paid in the past between €40 and 55. Not bad. Their rooms have a single bed superposed over the large bed. Very economical option for a couple with a kid.

Lately I have been staying more often at IBIS Marseille Centre Bourse, have paid between € 50 and 80. Its relative disadvantage is a bit longer walk to the Vieux-Port but that's only half a km on the large and République street. When my room was on 6th or 7th floor, I had a view of Notre Dame de la Garde. Bedding better, compared to Etap, nicer white sheets and firm and thicker mattress etc.

kerouac

Ibis has recently upgraded the mattresses in all of its hotels, and having just stayed at the Ibis Euston London this week, I can attest that this is true for all of its European hotels apparently -- and after having slept in Ibis beds at least a dozen times in the last year, because these mattresses are absolutely the best mattresses that I have ever had in a hotel. (free plug)

However, I am quite sure that during my upcoming 2 nights at the Ibis Budget, I will not have the same quality mattress -- but still perfectly acceptable.