Rent A Car In Marseille & See The Sights

• Posted by: Editor
• On: 13/08/2007 12:46:09
• In: France Car Hire

Marseille is a real cultural melting pot with a curious concoction of Arabic, Greek, Italian and of course French influences. If you grab yourself a car you’ll get to experience it all in good time (click here for Marseille Car Rental), and of course if you need accommodation then have a look at our sister site www.placestostay.com - they get the best deals on a range of quality hotels!

Located on the famous French Riviera, this famous old port town looks out on the azure waves of the Mediterranean. Its situation as a trading point between North Africa has lead to the strong blend of cultures that makes the city such a vibrant hotbed of sights, sounds and experiences.

Your first port of call when visiting Marseille should be the Vieux Port (which means old harbour if you haven’t guessed). This bustling port area is a fascinating snapshot of the Marseille of old, and you can settle in at one of the many fine Arabic and French restaurants along the marina and survey the scene for yourself.

Take a walk around the harbour area and you’ll encounter the fascinating throb of cultures and the charismatic, outgoing nature of the local people. While you’re in the city it’s well worth heading over to the Notre Dame de la Garde church, which offers breathtaking views overlooking the vast urban expanse.

And if you fancy a slice of the local history, you can take in the heritage and history of Marseille with a visit to one of its many museums. Explore the background of the old port during the Phoenician and Roman eras with a visit to the Musée des Docks Romains and the Musée Maritime. Investigate the changing times and demographics through the ages at the Musée d’Histoire, or sample the contemporary art scene at the Musée de la Mode and the Musée Cantini… the choice is yours.

Of course you don’t have to limit your stay to urban Marseille, and this is where having a car at your side really comes into play. The French Riviera is famous for its wealth of beautiful beaches and charming seaside towns. Enjoy the luxurious setting of casino town Monte Carlo, head to Cannes for the International Film d’Or Festival in May, or put your feet back in the cool, elegant setting of St Tropez. Motor up the coast to the majestic region of Monaco, soaking up the sights of the majestic Riviera as the Mediterranean shimmers in the sun alongside you.

Other spots close to Marseille include the wealthy, elegant town of Aix-en-Provence, and the quaint Romanesque town of Arles, formerly home to Vincent Van Gogh and resting place for much of his later work.

Those of you that fancy escaping the trappings of urban life completely can head up into the rocky Alpilles Mountains. It’s an idyllic country setting, and, along with fresh country air and beautiful views you’ll find the beautiful medieval village of Lex Baux de Provence. Other superb settings include the famous old religious town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, aswell as Salon-de-Provence, a spectacular ex military fortress where the body of Nostradamus was laid to rest.

Of course all this is just a snapshot of the many things you can see and do in the Marseille area – it’s up to you to get out there, hire yourself a car and see it for yourself!

Just bear in mind a few things when driving in France: remember to stick to the right side, and give way to cars on the right. Check out our guide to driving in France, and if you need a hand with the lingo of the road then have a look at our nifty little vocab guide…

Feel free to drop us a message in our comment box below if you have any questions, enquiries or things you want to say. Drive safely, and enjoy your road trip!