Should I rent a car from Marseille or Aix-en-Provence to get to Cassis?
 

Hi,

We will be traveling from Paris by TGV to get to Cassis for an overnight stay. After our Cassis stay, we will be heading out to the area north of Aix-en-Provence to stay for 3 nights and then onward to Avignon for the remaining two nights before heading back to Paris CDG airport.
I can either take the TGV to Marseille or Aix-en-Provence, rent a car, and then continue the journey to Cassis. I'm concerned driving out of Marseille will be madness, since so many people encourage not to drive in this city. I checked out the route on Google Maps from Marseille Saint Charles Train Station and Aix-en-Provence TGV Station and the driving times were quite similar. Marseille to Cassis is 34 minutes going the D559 (24.3km). Aix-en-Provence to Cassis is 36 minutes going the A52 (52.6km).
Has anyone done either? Preferences? It seems the D559 from Marseille to Cassis would be quite scenic...however, the city driving seems daunting. Thanks for any advice!

I would definitely choose to pick up my rental car at the Aix TGV station instead of going into Marseille. St. Charles. It will be much less stressful! Your trip from the Aix TGV station to Cassis will be mostly on autoroute, though the countryside is interesting and you'll get a good look at Mont St. Victoire. Be sure to have money for the tolls.

Kathy

Thanks so much for your advice! I just booked our tickets from Aix and feel much better about the whole journey!

We rented a car in Aix and then drove to Cassis somehow ending up in Marseille instead. Still puzzled how we did that! But rest assured if that happens to you that the locals in Marseille were very helpful in getting you on your way to Cassis. Cassis is lovely! Have a wonderful time.

Hi,
I was there this summer and Aix is the best choice. Happy to see you have taken this advise.

Yipper

I just rented a car last summer at Marseille St Charles and drove out of the city north. It was a piece of cake, very very easy. The reason is the main major highway out of Marseille going North starts just around the corner from the train station, it's very easy to do.

So going north from Marseille is really easy, but I'm not sure what you'd do to go to Cassis in that regard. I'd have to check the map and I don't have one here.