While there are plenty of great things to do in Marseille, don’t miss out on the opportunity to take some amazing day trips from Marseille!
Collaboration by Lisa Garrett
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RESOURCES TO PLAN YOUR TRIP TO FRANCE!
- Flight: Use Skyscanner to compare prices before booking a plane ticket.
- Accommodation: Check out Booking.com.
- Car rental: Use a powerful search engine that compares rental companies. I use Discover Cars.
- Tours: You can visit the Louvre Museum skipping the line, discover the City of Wine in Bordeaux, or enjoy a day at Disneyland Paris.
I adore visiting France—it’s my favorite travel destination (with 8 trips and counting). While I may use one city as my home base, I always visit multiple places during my trips to experience more of the country.
It’s super easy to use Marseille as a hub to explore the fabulous cities in the south of France. And if (like me) you prefer not to drive when traveling abroad, the train network makes it easy to take day trips.
Ready to learn about the best day trips from Marseille? Lace up your shoes, and let’s go!
1. Lyon
Although Lyon is quite a distance from Marseille, it’s easy to take a day trip from Marseille to Lyon. Just be sure to take the TGV, France’s high-speed train.
Lyon is certainly one of the best cities to visit in France. This is especially true if you’re a foodie since Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of France!
Browse the famed gourmet market, Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, or enjoy traditional Lyonnais dishes at a cozy bouchon. Sample local favorites such as savory quenelles (pike dumplings in a seafood sauce). And save room for a slice of tarte aux pralines for dessert.
Take the funicular up to the top of Fourvière Hill to see the stunning Notre-Dame de Fourvière Basilica. This is also one of the best viewpoints in the city, so be sure to have your camera ready to capture the panoramic views of Lyon.
Embark on an art treasure hunt and look for Lyon’s famous murals, such as the Mur des Canuts and Fresque des Lyonnais. These trompe-l’oeil murals are some of the must-see attractions in Lyon.
Admire the gorgeous architecture surrounding the Place des Terreaux. On one side is Lyon’s City Hall (the Hôtel de Ville), and on the other is Lyon’s Musée des Beaux-Arts. And don’t miss the Bartholdi Fountain, created by the same sculptor who created the Statue of Liberty.
One way to fit in a lot of sightseeing during your day trip to Lyon is to take a river cruise along the Saône. Sit back and relax as you glide past the colorful Renaissance buildings of Vieux Lyon and the modern architecture of the Musée des Confluences.
- Travel time by train: 1:43 via high-speed train (Marseille Saint-Charles to Lyon Part Dieu station)
- Travel time by car: 2:50 to 3:50 (depending on traffic)
2. Nîmes
If you love Roman ruins, you’ll want to take a day trip to Nîmes! This charming town dazzles with its well-preserved Roman structures, which are the main reason to visit.
Nîmes is compact, so it’s easy to see the top sights in one day. It’s only a half-hour walk from the central train station to the Tour Magne, which is at the opposite end of the town.
The focal point of Nîmes is the stunning Roman amphitheater, the Arènes de Nîmes. A downloadable audio guide will help you explore the arena, and you will be transported back in time with stories of gladiators.
(Although I usually try to avoid restaurants near tourist attractions, I broke my own rule in Nîmes and had lunch at a café right across the street from the arena. The views are incredible!)
Another must-see attraction in Nîmes is the Maison Carrée. This classically styled temple is one of the best examples of its kind and was recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Incongruously, there’s a modern art museum right next door!
Stroll through Les Jardins de la Fontaine and seek out the Temple of Diana. Then head north through the gardens to the top of the hill and climb the Tour Magne – the views of the French countryside from the top are spectacular!
Dive even deeper into the Roman history of Nîmes at the Museum Romanité. Located in a modern building across from the arena, this museum is chock-full of Roman artifacts like mosaics, statues, and pottery.
Tip: If you plan to visit all the Roman attractions during your day trip, save some money and buy the Pass Romanité. This gives you entry to the three main Roman ruins (the arena, the temple, and the tower) and the Roman museum.
- Travel time by train: 1:22 (Marseille Saint-Charles to the Nîmes station)
- Travel time by car: 1:20 to 1:50 (depending on traffic)
3. Avignon
With a travel time of under an hour by train, visiting Avignon is one of the easiest day trips from Marseille.
Avignon is a city with a unique history. You probably associate popes with the Vatican in Rome. But you may not know that Avignon was home to the papacy in the 14th century when the political situation in Italy was a bit dicey.
Today, you can walk in the footsteps of the popes as you tour the Palais des Papes. This impressive building is a UNESCO site and one of the world’s largest medieval Gothic buildings. Take a tour and explore the palace with the help of a histopad. This allows you to immerse yourself and see the lavish furnishings that would have decorated the palace centuries ago.
After visiting the Palais, stroll through the Jardin des Doms. This hilltop garden is an excellent vantage point from which to see the Rhône River and the remains of the Pont Saint-Bénézet. Only part of this medieval bridge remains, with a tiny chapel to St. Nicholas.
Enjoy a walk along Avignon’s ramparts, the defensive fortress-like stone walls that protected the city centuries ago. Or take the free ferry to the Ile de Piot and walk along the river’s edge for great views of the Palais des Papes and the Pont D’Avignon.
If you’re in the mood for a quick lunch, visit Les Halles D’Avignon for a baguette, cheese, olives, and chocolates. You can even find fancier options such as quiche or oysters. Be sure to check out the market’s unique botanical wall!
- Travel time by train: 0:33 (Marseille Saint-Charles to Avignon TGV station); 0:45 (Marseille Saint-Charles to Gare D’Avignon Centre)
- Travel time by car: 1:05 to 1:25 (depending on traffic)
4. Nice
While Nice and Marseille are cities along France’s Mediterranean coast, they have very different vibes. Nice is one of the jewels of the French Riviera and earned a UNESCO World Heritage site designation for its history as a winter resort town.
Nice boasts miles of incredible beaches perfect for soaking up the sun. For a relaxing day, rent a lounger and umbrella at a private beach like Blue Beach or the Plage Beau Rivage. Climb the Colline du Château (Castle Hill) and enjoy spectacular views of the curving coastline and the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean.
One of the best things to do in Nice is to stroll along the Promenade des Anglais. This boulevard follows the coast and is perfect for walking, cycling, or just some people-watching. It’s lined with hotels, bars, and cafés where you can enjoy a cocktail or lunch with views of the Mediterranean.
If you like visiting museums, there are plenty to choose from in Nice. Admire a wide range of art at the Musée des Beaux-Arts or the Villa Masséna Musée, or enjoy a more focused art experience at the Marc Chagall National Museum or the Matisse Museum.
Take some time to explore the cobblestoned streets of historic Vieux Nice. Browse the beautiful bouquets at Marché Aux Fleurs Cours Saleya or buy some goodies for a picnic.
As you explore Nice, admire the city’s gorgeous architecture. With sights such as the famous Le Negresco hotel, the Byzantine spires of the Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas, and the black-and-white squares of Place Masséna, a walk through Nice will have you reaching for your camera!
- Travel time by train: 2:39 (Marseille Saint-Charles to Nice-Ville station)
- Travel time by car: 2-3 hours (depending on traffic)
5. Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence is a popular destination for a day trip from Marseille. It’s a picture-perfect city with fountains and amazing architecture around every corner.
Aix-en-Provence is the birthplace of renowned painter Paul Cézanne, whose studio is now a museum. A statue honoring Cézanne stands proudly across from the central Fontaine de la Rotonde.
From here, stroll down scenic Cours Mirabeau, the main street of Aix-en-Provence. Browse the shops for souvenirs, enjoy a coffee at one of the many cafés and restaurants, or download an app to tour the city like a local.
Speaking of shopping, don’t miss the daily farmers markets in Aix-en-Provence. If you can, plan your visit on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday—the days the market is largest. Also, check out the daily flower market in the plaza outside City Hall.
Art aficionados will love the Musée Granet in Quartier Mazarin. This art museum features works by Cézanne and Rembrandt and is located in a building formerly used by the Knights of Malta. As a bonus, your ticket to the Musée Granet also gives you access to the nearby Collection Jean Planque, a museum set in a former chapel.
Aix-en-Provence is home to one of the most stunning churches, the Paroisse Cathédrale Saint Sauveur. Admire the stained-glass windows and incredible art, and stroll through the serene cloisters. Visiting this church is free!
- Travel time by public transit: 0:50 (Note: for this trip, you would use the bus rather than the train.)
- Travel time by car: 30-45 minutes (depending on traffic)
Whether you prefer savoring Lyon’s famed gastronomy or exploring the fabulous Roman ruins in Nîmes, these day trips from Marseille will not disappoint!
You’re sure to have a great time on each of these amazing day trips. Why not plan a few extra days into your France trip and see them all?
Author bio: Lisa Garrett is an engineer by profession, a traveler by obsession, and the founder of the Waves and Cobblestones and Travel to Lyon travel blogs. Whether planning a two-week trip to France or just one day on a cruise in Cabo San Lucas, her destination guides and travel tips will help you have an amazing trip.
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Best Day Trips from Marseille
About me:
I have lived in Chania, Crete, since 2016. As a local, I have an intimate knowledge of the island. I host culinary and concierge tours and experiences in Crete and write about the island for several travel media. During the last five years, I have helped many travelers plan the perfect holiday in Crete. I co-authored DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete and had more glasses of frappe than any regular person could ever handle.