We'll be flying into Marseilles in order to tour Provence a bit, but are hesitant to do any real driving after not getting any sleep on the plane (which is what always happens, alas). I'm not eager to explore Marseilles, but I've always been interested in the calanques, so I'm thinking perhaps to stay put in the area for a day or two. Main thing we'd want to find is an accommodation that's especially restful and quiet. Would definitely forego "charm" for genuine comfort and rest.
Or might it actually take not much longer to drive to Aix, say, than to find a hotel in Marseilles or Cassis? Mainly need those first couple of days to be restorative.
Thanks!

2 days in Cassis is too much -- unless you're sleeping. The calanques tour only takes a half-day or so.

There are buses from the Marseilles airport to Aix, and Aix is a good-sized town for getting over jet lag. It also lends itself to wandering around in a daze. (I had to go to Aix after reading M.F.K. Fisher's book.)

Then rent a car in Aix for the rest of your trip. Aix itself doesn't make such a good base for daytripping in Provence. It's not central enough to the other sites.

Thanks so much, Mimar. That's very helpful information. Do you happen to know how frequently the buses run? And how easy it is to get them? (We don't speak much French and we're also oldsters. Would be a problem to haul suitcases very far.) About how long is the bus ride to Aix, by the way?
And might you be able to recommend a very comfortable and quiet place to stay in Aix? for not more than about $300-350 per night?
Thanks again.

The bus leaves from in front of the main terminal every half-hour. It costs about 8 euros and takes about a half-hour, dropping you off at the bus station in Aix, five minutes on foot to central Aix. I'm sure there's room for luggage.

I found this set of pictorial directions by googling: http://www.energy.sintef.no/eamn/doc...irport-aix.pdf

I can't recommend a hotel in Aix; ours was unsatisfactory. I was attracted by Le Manoir: www.hotelmanoir.com/index.html. But it was not available at the time. It has very quiet location in the middle of old Aix. However, it's well under your budget. Look at the reviews for it and others at www.tripadvisor.com.

Definitely go straight to Aix. Cassis won't be any closer and it is in the opposite direction of where you'd eventually be heading.

Dear Poss,

Marseille is great - so vibrant!. Maybe you could get a hotel on the beach;for the view or a hotel along the vieux port for the excitement. Many find it to be an intimidating city so maybe Aix is it- much more genteel and manageable.
Bon Voyage

Thanks very much, all. Aix it'll be! (definitely not interested in vibrant or exciting).
Now the trick will be to find just the right accommodation in/near Aix.

Aix is not a quiet and restful place either, it is very charming with beautiful buildings but quite busy with tourists, markets and traffic, depending on time of year/day of the week.

Odin: We enjoy a town that's interesting and lively-- just need to be certain that our accommodations are quiet and restful and very comfortable. It's fine to be out in the "action" during the day, but we're definitely not night people. Getting a good night's sleep is really impt to us. I figured that if we get a room away from the center of activity, we'd be fine, no? Somewhere like Villa Gallici (may not be able to afford) Le Pigonnet, or Mas D'Entremont. Our visit will be in September, by the way.
Do you happen to know any of the 3 places I've mentioned?

Le Pigonnet would fit the bill nicely for you. It's just outside the center of town - so very quiet, with a nice garden/pool area in back. About the only downside is that it's a good 15 minute walk into the Historic Center of town (and not the most pleasant walk at that. So you might end up taking a cab in and out of town.

The Villa Gallici is much better located in that sense.

Any of the three places you mentioned would not be convenient from the bus station. Better off hopping in a cab, as it's only 15 minutes from the airport to Aix.

-Kevin

Kevin-- thanks for replying. I'm confused abt your last sentence: 15 minutes from the airport to Aix?
I think we'd not enjoy Le Pigonnet if one has to walk through a not pleasant area to get to town. I don't mind a 15-20 min walk at all-- but only if the surroundings are pleasant (and of course safe). I read somewhere that Villa Gallici is up a hill, so I think we (at our age) might not enjoy that; anyway, unless we make it our one splurge for this trip, we'd not be able to afford Gallici. That leaves the Mas-- which I know is even farther from center of town. I guess I need to find out if there's some sort of service that goes back and forth. I'm correct that even if we rent a car (rather than taking the bus from Marseilles airport), it's not easy to park in Aix, is that right? Would make sense to rent only once we're ready to leave Aix?
Thanks again.

Hi Poss -

Yep, it's just 15 minutes from the airport to Aix. Even though everyone calls it Marseille airport, it's actually closer to Aix than Marseille.

Don't get me wrong, the walk from the Pigonnet to the Old Town is not unsafe, it's just not very interesting. And quite honestly, you wouldn't want to do that walk after an evening out on the town.

Have you looked at the Aquabella ? It doesn't have nearly the charm of the others on your list, but it's perfectly located in the Historic Center and relatively newly renovated - so the rooms are modern, clean, etc. Never slept there myself, though my folks did and liked it. Very nice pool set against the Medieval Walls. It's another thought - saves you the walking hassle.

And no, don't rent a car ahead of time if you just plan on relaxing in Aix for a few days. Rent on your way out of town.

-Kevin

Hi poss,
Marseilles is a great place to visit, a city for sure, but it does have public transportation. Aix is certainly one of my favorites. The Hotel Cezanne is well located for walking most anywhere in Aix. I considered Le Pigonnet but thought it was a little farther than we wanted to walk. Cezanne is in town but when we were there (last May) it was quiet. We did have a car and parked it in the nearby garage and did not use it until we were ready to leave. Also, the beds at the Cezanne were very comfortable for us. Happy travels!