Day Trips from Marseille

Head north to find a plethora of natural parks, east to stumble across the glamor of Saint-Tropez, Cannes and Nice, or set your compass west to discover marvelous Montpellier and the beautiful Carcassonne.

If you’re embarking on a Marseille day trip, it’s all about getting an inside view of the various sides of southern France, the variety of the villages, the different feel of each of the towns. No two places are the same down here, and you can head out of the city and be back in time for a stunning sunset – and perhaps another bowl of bouillabaisse.

Avignon

Just over an hour north-west of Marseille, Avignon is a stunning, cultured town that has had enormous historical significance in its storied past. After all, this is where the Pope called home back in the 14^th century.

Pope Clement V had the Palais des Papes built here when he relocated from Rome in 1309, and its sheer size is testament to how much power the papacy wielded at the time. It’s marvelously preserved, with gorgeous frescoes, walls that are three meters thick, and vast halls and chapels. Wander around it yourself or, better still, join a guided tour for a potted history of this awe-inspiring gothic palace.

It’s not Avignon’s only claim to fame, however. Pont Saint Bénezet is a romantic bridge that once stretched 900 meters across the Rhone. It was finished in 1185, but a flood in the 1600s destroyed most of it, and it has never been rebuilt since. Even older is the 1st century Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard – it’s close by and worth the brief detour.

If you’re self-catering, the town market Les Halles is a fantastic place to get fresh produce. If you’re not, you can sample what local chefs do with food from the same place – Restaurant Christian Etienne is one of the best. The ambience certainly helps – this is Michelin-starred food in a 13^th century setting. A seasonal menu might encompass pork medallion with stewed peas, frog donut, and Provence asparagus with poached quail eggs.

Arles

The jaw-dropping beauty of Arles is an hour west of Marseille. Its most famous son is Vincent van Gogh, who lived and painted in the town – some of the buildings that inspired him still stand today, and those familiar with his work will be enchanted by the place.

His house no longer stands – it was bombed in World War II – but the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles does a fantastic job of celebrating both his legacy and his life here. Exhibitions change during the year, and the building itself is a gem. In the town, Le Café La Nuit is the very same cafe he once painted, but it’s very much a tourist trap these days, with prices to match.

The Romans once ruled here, and their amphitheater here is one of the best-kept in Europe. Once the site of gladiatorial battles, it now hosts shows and concerts, having stood here for some 2,000 years. The scale is truly impressive. If you still have time, just wandering the town is a pleasure. You’ll chance upon more Roman remains, ancient churches and plenty of charming squares lined with tempting cafes.

Saint-Tropez

Best experienced in low season when it’s a little quieter, Saint-Tropez is a glamorous, gorgeous and alluring part of the French Riviera, fewer than two hours east of your base in Marseille. The old port is very much the center of attention, where visitors mingle with locals at the fish market, and the yachts of the super-rich bob on the water.

The town has its own cake – the tarte tropezienne (or la Tarte de Saint-Tropez) – which is rich with sugar and tangy with orange blossom, all encased in buttery brioche. Allegedly named by Brigitte Bardot, you can sample it in various places, but head for the one that invented it on Place des Lices, now named La Tarte Tropezienne.

Culture hounds can sniff out the museums, galleries and churches here, including the lovely Eglise de Saint-Tropez, or you can just amble through the cobbled streets, following the footsteps of the actors and actresses who’ve long been drawn here.

Carpentras

Close to Avignon, Carpentras is a town hewn from the past. The narrow streets here are packed with pretty mansions and ruins that tell stories of its Greek, Roman and papal past. There’s a 14th-century synagogue, a clock tower, the 15th-century Saint Siffrein Cathedral and a library full of rare books. Best of all, however, is the town’s annual truffle festival, held in late November every year.

The bosky smells of locally sourced truffles dominate the town on this day, with hundreds of stalls set up to celebrate the sought-after delicacy they call the black diamond. Don’t worry if you miss it – there’s a truffle market held from November until mid-March in the town.

Cassis

Cassis is a place that punches above its weight. It’s a petite fishing village, but the natural beauty and whimsical charm mean that tourists flock here in droves. They come for the port, the shopping, the beach, the restaurants, the unforgettable views of the Mediterranean, and the unmissable Calanques de Cassis.

Join the visitors and locals at a seaside restaurant and you’ll be able to sample crisp white wine to accompany sparklingly fresh seafood caught nearby, just make sure you have a designated driver beforehand. Walk it off with a stroll past the boutique shops, perfect for souvenirs, or tour one of the nearby vineyards – Domaine du Paternel comes highly recommended. Have dinner at La Villa Madie – where the two Michelin star food and the exquisite view out to sea make for an unforgettable evening. Squab with prawn, veal sweetbread with parsley cream, rabbit with black truffles – you’ll still be savoring it as you head back to Marseille.

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