Barb_in_Ga

We arrive in Nice on Monday Sept 26th, and will spend 2 days and nights, which will give us a little overview of Nice Ville. We are not planning side trips from here, so won't need a car.

On Wednesday, we head for our next 3 nights in Arles, and we're trying to decide if a car should be rented from Nice or take the train to Marseilles, spend a few hours , then go to Arles late afternoon by train. We are willing to skip Marseilles(even though DH is dying for bouillabase) but there don't seem to be any daytime trains from Nice-Arles without connections in Marseilles, Avignon or Toulon.

So--rent the car after lunch in Marseilles or take the train from Marseilles to Arles after having lunch in the old quarter?We know we'll want a car in Arles--we plan to visit Nimes, Pont du Gard, Aix en Provence, and leave from Avignon for Paris on the TGV on Saturday, Oct 1, probably the 14:05. Is it possible to store our luggage in the Marselle St. Charles station?

Thanks for your opinion and input, it's always good to hear experienced travelers share their thoughts.

To summarize my options
1.Train from Nice to Arles with a quick connection on to Arles, rent a car in Arles

2. Train from Nice to Marseilles, spend 3-4 hours, have lunch, then train to Arles.

3. Train from Nice to Marseilles, spend 3-4 hours, pick up rental car for Weds, Thurs, Fri, returning it in Avignon on Saturday.

4. Rent a car in Nice, driving on to Arles (or wandering if we feel like it).
Barb

adrienne

I would choose door #4 and drive the backroads to Arles. Stop along the way in various towns. It's a nice drive.

TDudette

Without checking the trains, I'm going to make another suggestion. Take the train (or bus) to Marseille and check out the portside dining (sorry I don't know about stowing luggage).

Then train to Avignon and get your rental car there and head on to Arles. That way, when you go to Paris, you can leave your car in Avignon.

What I don't know is if there is a car rental is at the Avignon TGV station so other Fodorites will have to help. We never drove so I didn't pay attention. The Avignon TGV station isn't at the same spot as regular train station if I recall correctly. You might want to just rent the car in Marseille (stow your stuff in the trunk) and drop it off in Avignon as the most simple way.

Also, when my hub and I went to Marseilles, they wanted an arm and a leg for the taxi to the port from the train station. Just be aware.

Judy

There are many car rental offices behind the Avignon TGV station. I'd get a car in Nice and drop in Avignon. We usually book through AutoEurope.

SheilaMary

It's only a 10-15 walk from Marseille train station to the Old Port - or you can get the Metro for a euro or two. There's a left luggage office on Marseille station and a range of car hire companies just outside. Here's some info about the station facilities. http://bit.ly/b9MoUJ

easytraveler

Unless you have a specific purpose in going to Marseille, I'd suggest skipping that city.

In all my travels, the only time that I saw a robbery take place in daylight was in Marseille and blatantly right in front of many people. Theft runs rampant in Marseille. One person I met told me that he had his wallet stolen the moment he got off the train in Marseille.

Is Marseille worth visiting? It depends. It's a decaying city with its glory days far behind it. Nevertheless, it does have places to visit. There's a hop-on, hop off tour bus right at the Vieux Port (bus station is on the waterfront across the Hotel La Residence du Vieux Port). If you must go to Marseille to spend a few hours, this is a worthwhile bus to take (just don't hop off) and should give you a nice synopsis of Marseille.

mamcalice

I think you can get bouillabase in Nice so if that is your reason for going to Marseille, you won't have to. Of course the bouillabase in Marseille is probably the most authentic. I recommend renting a car in Nice and driving to Arles, stopping along the way as you wish.

TDudette

We ended up walking from train station to old port and took a bus up to church on the hill with gorgeous interior and views. Then waited almost 1/2 hour for returning bus for lunch in old port. There were lots of restos and we had a wonderful meal (will find notes if you want specific info) and a leisurely walk back.

There is an Arc de Triomphe in Marseille btw.

I must agree though. If your mission is just bouillabase, you might add that time to another place. Surely you can find some outside of Nice as well?