Marseille Travel Forum

We plan to stay in the Marseille region on 1 July-8 July 2009 and we have still to book hotel/hostel etc as we are unsure if we should stay in the city or in a small town nearby. Is Marseille considered expensive to live and eat or would VT members suggest it is wise to book a hotel in say, Aix en Provence?

It really is a last minute plan so we know that nearer our leaving date there will be less and less hotel rooms available but should it still be possible to find an inexpensive hotel/hostel in the Marseille region or is it very difficult in the month of July?

I would like to stay in Marseille city but my partner thinks it will be too busy. Is she right? Finally, if we avoid the tourist traps is it possible to eat at reasonable prices? Unfortunately, we are on a tight budget but I an sure there are other travellers in the same position as ourselves who have found some good value tourist attractions and places to eat.

Please let us know where they are!!!

Personally I recommend you consider staying in Aix-en-Provence which is arguably a more charming location offering an excellent combination of small town livability as well as a good number of attraction: numerous fountains, wonderful markets, and of course Cezanne's studio through which you can tour.

There are a number of tours of nearby sites which can be arranged through the Office de Tourisme:

http://www.aixenprovencetourism.com/

The above website also lists the hotels at all price levels.

depends on what you are looking for, Marseille has more entertainment as its a bigger city, and the chateau d'If, and the boats to the calanques, however, AEP has more charming small town atmosphere and country looking the beautiful French countryside.

early July should be ok, crowds gets in around July 15 and on to first week in september for the vacationing French.

I use the French chain ACCORHOTELS.com as it gives me points, they have Ibis hotels that are very good value/quality ratio, and for restos on my trips i only done the la cantine de marseillaise, 13 rue glandéves near the port,good brandade de nimes, pulp, and spinach croquettes ,menus from 12 and 18 euros.

hope it helps

Thanks, your replies have been very helpfull and are worth considering. I'm still doing some research on hotels/hostels and Bed and Breakfast. There still appears to be places to stay but I'm sure we will have to book something very soon!