Just read the article in today's NYT Travel Magazine that Ekscrunchy mentioned. Now, I want to go to Marseille too.

The murder rate in Miami is 10 times as high as the murder rate in Marseilles, and I suspect that in each case your chances of being murdered are a lot higher if you are a (1) poor, (2) non-white (3) local (4) male and (5) involved in drugs or crime. And Miami is better than New Orleans or Memphis.

Does that means the answer to the question "How bad is it? is "Ten times as good as Miami?" :-)

Great article, ekscrunchy! Thanks for posting the link.

After years of trepidation from an inadvertant and unplanned drive thru the heart of Marseille several years back, we returned for a two night stay last summer prior to another Provence visit. We took the bus from the Marseille airport and stayed across the street from the train station in a nice, new Holiday Express. It fit our plans for a short, convenient location with access to the rental car pick-up on our departure.

We were excited--but tired, after our flight from Calif. but determined to explore and experience the historic city. We were not disappointed as we dived into markets of spices, foods and fish during an early morning foray. We walked everywhere save for the obligatory visit to the gleaming landmark on the hill-Notre Dame de la Gard. The history of the city became all the more apparent as we observed its excellent harbor and fortifications. We hunted for artist conclaves and were rewarded with boutique shops with intriguing new ideas-some of which made their way home with us. It was a fast and somewhat exhausting visit but very much worth our effort.

We were not out extremely late but it was clear that there was life after dark. We never felt danger but did observe some of the boldest rats I have ever seen--a product, no doubt, of the dense population and many layered old city. We were glad we went but like all cities, be mindful of your circumstances. Enjoy.
Paul

If I go back, I'll stay at the Hotel Beauvau, also. It has a lot of history and a super location. But they won my heart because the doors have closers on them that prevent them from being slammed or making a noise. I have never been a hotel before, even 4* ones, that had that, it was heavenly, no people slamming hotel doors and making noise. Oh, they have a great bar with windows looking right out at the port, also, very nice place to relax with a drink.

OK, now I want to go to Marseille too.

We've got this down to relatively low crime rate and guarenteed pleasant sleeping conditions. Sounds like a slam dunk. Fodors GTG coming up. They'll be flocking to the city with Nikki leading the pack. We just have to hold the GTG during the day before they roll up the sidewalks at night.

Seriously, it sounds too good to pass up for sure. We're going.

I love Marseille. It's like nothing else in France. Such a blending of cultures. It's bad reputation came from years ago when there was a heavy drug trade.It's France's oldest city, beautifully situated. I like the vieux-port area, reminding me of Marcel Pagnol's Fanny,The daily fish market will astound you with species you have never seen before. I wish I had visited the Opera house there.

P.S watch Alain Delon in Fabio Montale filmed in Marseille.
I think it's on netflix. Origially made for French Tv.
Three mysteries on 2 dvds

cigalechanta, nice to get your recommendation. Now I know I'll like it. Thanks.

well don't expect Nirvana, it has a large unemployment problem, high poverty rate, a lot of social unrest at times (more strikes there, I think) and some gangs. But a lot of crime in cities, including Marseille, doesn't really affect tourists very much, that's all. I don't know that I'd say the crime rate was low, but it shouldn't be a problem. And the murder rate isn't probably the most important crime statistic for tourists, it's definitely not the only crime statistic worth looking at.

I think a lot of people might not like it because it doesn't have one of those glitzy shopping streets and on the surface, it may not be as glamorous or attractive. It's certainly worth a visit and interesting, but I just don't want to present it as something it is not. And I think it still does have drug trade from North and West Africa, that isn't gone.

My brother and his wife are arriving in a week and a half and were hoping that I could take them to a Mediterranean location for a day or two. But I was checking the train fares for then, and they are horrendous since my brother took far too long to tell me what he would like to do. So I guess I will need to keep them hostage in the north of France this time.

I've been to Marseilles twice and never really had a problem..... I think people expect marseilles to be like Paris sur le Méditerranée and then get dissapointed when they see that marseille is an old port, industrial and with an attitude.

If you're a normal tourist wondering around you won't have a problem..... trust me

Julie, did you ever go to Marseilles? If yes, what did you think, and where did you eat??

I am going for 3 nights at the end of May. One night will be my 30th wedding anniversary so I might like a nicer restaurant, but one that doesn't serve crazy foamy food :)

I will be making a special trip to Marseille later this year just because it is European capital of culture for the year 2013, and hundreds of events are planned all through the year.

Might be of interest:


http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/05/wo...ured.html?_r=0

Heading there next week foe 3 days, will report ack.

How nice for this thread to pop back up. No, I did not go to Marseille in February of last year BUT I'm now planning to make a stop there when we go in July to see the lavendar fields of Provence. In fact the plan is to fly into Marseille and out of Montpellier so I'll be seeing two French cities that will be new to me. I'll be excited to hear what HappyCheesehead, kerouac and DebitNM report.

Well we got to Marseille (and to Provence and to Montpellier) and I've just posted a report in pictures as a thank you to all of you who encouraged us to go. We loved MRS and enjoyed MPL very much as well. Hope you enjoy the pictures of these two places that we finally got to go to--and will very likely return to.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-pictures.cfm

kerouac, I enjoyed your report of MRS. You got into so much more depth than we did. Fun to see inside some of the places we only breezed by or saw from a distance. Your reports are always such a joy to read. Thanks.

hi Julie, I'm glad you finally got to Marseille.Did you taste the Bouillabaisse I had mine at Chez Fonfon?