I%26#39;m sorry to criticise Marseille as it can be disrespectful to those who live there. However.. I have just returned from holidaying in the South of France and not knowing anything about where to go at the time of booking, got a cheap flight into Marseille.
Luckily, I had read a few reviews on another website advising how dangerous Marseille can be, and decided to drive to Cannes %26amp; Nice.
On our return home and back to Marseille we decided to drive through the city and have a look around. I%26#39;m not easily scared but when we drove into Marseille I could not believe what I saw. Apart from the fact that it is disgustingly dirty (and not just due to the tram tracks being laid) it looks like its never been cleaned. Old homeless men were knocking on our windown looking for a cigarette, people were just walking infront of our car and there was people and rubbish everywhere else.
We had hoped to return that evening for a meal, but I couldnt wait to get out of it, I was terrified.
I%26#39;ve travelled to many different countries across the world and have never seen anything like this. I%26#39;m sorry if this sounds harsh to anyone in Marseille, but I feel I have to warn people who, like myself, travel into Marseille knowing nothing about it and have their holiday ruined.
I hope this has been of some help, and not caused any upset to any French.
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Like a great many big cities there are areas where you%26#39;d rather not be, just like Dublin. I live less than a hours drive from the centre of Marseille and visit it 2/3 times a year and have never felt threatened or frightened. It is ceratainly a city with edge, but that is true of most ports.
Rgds
Wilko
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I think one shouldn%26#39;t post on any travel forum with such categorical headlines as %26quot;X, an awful place%26quot;, especially after such a short stay. What would you think of someone posting on %26quot;Dublin, an awful place%26quot;?
Indeed Marseille is a working-class city (much of the local middle class or upper middle class has left the city centre for villas in the periphery or for Aix-en-Provence) and the once %26quot; gateway to the colonies%26quot;, but, as France%26#39; s second largest city it has enough variety to offer delightful areas. In France, its %26quot;seedy mediterranean port%26quot; image is changing, as it is viewed as an increasingly attractive city (mediterranean, creative, multiethnic - actually a Parisian bobo%26#39;s dream). Whole neighbourhoods are being renovated and real estate prices are rising quickly.
As to having one%26#39;s holiday %26quot;ruined%26quot;, Marseille is not a classic beach destination (as least inot n the anglo-saxon sense, i.e. beer and tabloids by the swimming pool).
As to what you have seen from your car window, even if you have %26quot;never seen anything like this%26quot;, you are well aware that the world can%26#39;t be entirely caucasian, suburban and middle-class.
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Fiona - I%26#39;m sorry you were so disappointed with Marseille. I think it can be helpful, if not essential, to really, thoroughly research a vacation desination, before setting out. Some cities are not for everyone.
I, like Wilko, live an hour 15 from Marseille and go there very often. I love the port area. Yes, Marseille is a rather good sized city. It does have neighborhoods that I wouldn%26#39;t spend time in, but so do Paris, Nice and most other cities of any size.
To feel %26quot;terrified%26quot; in Marseille is amazing to me. I hope your next vacation is more enjoyable.
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just wanted to say %26quot;ditto%26quot; to the responses of this post. of course everyone is entitled to their opinions and that is what this website is about. however, isn%26#39;t the point of travel to see something new, to challenge your thinking and your way of living? for those wanting sanitized travel, maybe it is best to stay in all inclusive resorts where there will be no surprises, artificial cleanliness, and poverty exists just outside of the resort.
i am planning to visit marseille next month and can%26#39;t wait!
jenny dee
kansas city, usa
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Dear Fiona, I am really sorry you had such an awful impression of marseille which is a place I happen to love!%26#39;and for Jenny in the states, feel free to ask for any info so that your trip is a better one than Fiona%26quot;s!
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thanks cavier. i actually do have a question. we are staying at the hotel alize which is in the vieux port area. we will be arriving by train from bordeaux. do you have any idea if the train runs close to the vieux port area or best mode of transport to the hotel?
also, any special sites, restaurants, etc. that you strongly recommend?
thanks, jenny dee
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I want to add my support to the city of Marseille. I have visited often (we live 40 minutes to the north in France) and driven throught it on many occassions. Yes the traffic can be hellish and some of the buildings could use a lick of paint but it still has some very beautiful parts to visit and a great atmosphere.
I admit I would not want to visit parts of the port after dark but then I avoid parts our rural English home town after sundown.
I would issue a dire warning about Dublin where our car was broken into (outside a police station) and I am still undergoing councilling.
Visit Marseille, go to the old port, eat fish soup (can%26#39;t spell boullibase) and give the older men a smoke if you have a spare one.
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Hi
If you want to eat bouillabaisse, which if you are in Marseille is a great opportunity, avoid the Vieux Port, bit touristy and try the following for the real thing.
La Galinette 0491 90 40 07
Cafe des Epices 0491 91 22 69
or in the Calanques.
Chateau de Sormiou 0491 25 08 69, you need to order 48 hours in advance, a lovely place.
rgds
Wilko
www.maspomona.com
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I first visited Marseilles in 1969 while in the Navy, again about 5 years ago and again last May. I was struck by how little it had improved from 1969-2001, and by how much in the past few years. It was one big construction site and one could already see the promise behind the grit. It is already touted as the next Naples-a rather dubious distinction-and I think it will do nothing but get better.
It is also a very good place to fly into as a jumping off point for Arles and the Luberon
Jeem
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to jenny dee.
It is very easy to get to the old port from the st charles station with the metro. i do not have any time this weekend but will give you more infos next week if you can wait until then.
have a good weekend
caviar
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