Marseille?

[shirt]

I just found out this evening that I may be headed to Marseille on Monday for a couple of weeks work. I am guessing this will be somewhere in or around the port.

First consideration - where to stay? I might have some leeway here but really thinking where I don’t want to be staying rather than do. I’ll be on my own so an area I can wander safely and eat/drink for reasonable money are the considerations. Thinking I might ask for an Airbnb rather than a hotel?

After that, any recommendations what to do, see, eat etc all welcome. I should have a car. I’m not usually one for solo travel esp on business but then I’m usually in some third world hellhole. Would be nice to have a bit of me time and refresh myself after a difficult 6mths.

[normalbloke]

You said ‘third world hellhole’….

[fourstardan]

Marseille has a huge drug gang issue apparently.

That said you might end up in some drug lords airBnB.

[Exiled Imp]

Was there for a few months ago, stayed at the Novotel Suites (about 20 mins walk from the old port, although there’s a tram stop directly in front). Area around the hotel is all redeveloped, with a shopping centre and a choice of restaurants.

Old port is nice to explore (lots of choice of restaurants). There’s also a tourist train which takes you up to the Basilica of Notre Dame. Longchamps Palace and Zoological Gardens is worth a look. Good tram / bus network to get around.

Also took the train for a day trip to Aix-en-Province, which is worth a visit.

Marseille has a bad rep, but IMO, stay central and around tourist areas and should be ok. Obviously take usual precautions as you would in any big city.

[LimaDelta]

It's generally no worse than any other large city with ferry links directly to north Africa (Barcelona, Genoa, etc). I normally only pass through on the way to or from the airport but there were a few RWC games there last year without any trouble, it's not Mogadishu (though it might feel like it sometimes).

Use common sense, and don't book the cheapest place you can find.

[Chucklehead]

Stay near the port/marina or down the coast and you'll be fine.

[r159]

Had a great time there during the RWC, loads of nice places to eat and drink around the Port itself and the streets just off it, not as expensive as I thought it would be either.

If you can, stay at the Radisson Blu on the Port. The hotel is ok great location and has an outdoor pool, which was very welcome as the weather was hot.

Made sure you go up to Notre Dame de la Garde, the views are fantastic

[fourstardan]

Maybe I was a bit harsh.

I went to Nimes last year and it has similar influx of immigrants and drug crime that flows between marseille and there. Go outside and you enter loads of big housing estates, funny as we needed fuel desperately and ended up slap bang in one where a kid had been shot in a drive by.

[S600BSB]

r159 said:

Had a great time there during the RWC, loads of nice places to eat and drink around the Port itself and the streets just off it, not as expensive as I thought it would be either.

If you can, stay at the Radisson Blu on the Port. The hotel is ok great location and has an outdoor pool, which was very welcome as the weather was hot.

Made sure you go up to Notre Dame de la Garde, the views are fantastic

Same - it was brilliant during the RWC. We rented a villa in the hills above the city with a pool etc. Found some excellent restaurants and the beaches were good too. Would definitely go back.

[Puggit]

My only recollection of Marseille was it was iffy walking from the Old Port to the Station - this was in the 80s!

[paddy1970]

Go to Cassis...20 miles from Marseille and a bit of paradise...