Car rental in Marseille

Compare & Save on car rental in Marseille

Marseille is the second largest city in France, located on the south-east coast of the Mediterranean, and France’s largest commercial port. It carries the titles of two capitals – capital of the Bouches du Rhone department, and of the Provences-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region. Ideally situated as a base from which to explore the historic sites, stunning coastal scenery and mountains of the area, there are also numerous artistic and historic sites to enjoy in the city itself. Marseille was nominated European City of Culture 2013, and this has given an additional boost to the galleries and exhibitions in the city. Marseille has been an important strategic port since the time of the Romans, and today it is regarded as one of the most dynamic cities in France, with a rapid growth in the numbers of start-ups and high-tech companies. It attracts over 2 ½ million visitors a year, many arriving on cruise ships or via the high-speed rail link from Paris. Marseille International Airport is also a thriving hub for the region. To really get a feel for the city and Provence you will need a car to explore the region - car rental in Marseille is easily arranged through GoCarRental.com, whether you are arriving by rail or by air.

Things to Do in Marseille

Marseille has 24 art galleries and 42 theatres, so the visitor is spoilt for choice. The city beaches are excellent, as are the parks and gardens, many of which have been restored or created more recently to improve some of the previously more run-down areas of the city. The 1 kilometre Parc Balnéaire du Prado is split into five beaches, two of which have childrens’ playgrounds, showers, and cafes. The dramatic dome of the 19th century Romano-Baroque church which dominates the heights in Marseille, the Notre Dame de la Garde, is worth the climb for the views over the bay and for the gilded opulence of its interior.

Top 3 Must See: Marseille

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  Chateau d’If

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  Parc Balnéaire du Prado

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  Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations

The Chateau Pastré is an entirely restored 19th century chateau set in extensive grounds, and a visit makes for a peaceful break from the busy city streets. The newly opened MuCEM, the museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations, is a must to visit, and among Marseile’s multiple museums, some of the most interesting are the Vieille Charité, with a large collection of Egyptian treasures, and the Porcelain Museum in the Parc Borély. No visit to Marseille is complete without taking a boat trip to the Chateau d’If, immortalised in Alexandre Dumas’ novel, “The Count of Monte Cristo”.

Drive Around Marseille

Getting around Marseille by car can be complicated and sometimes fraught, and you will definitely need a satnav to guide you. Use public transport as much as possible whilst you are visiting within the city, and reserve your car rental for more extensive trips to the surrounding region, and day trips to the Riviera or the Camargue to the west. From the airport to the city centre is a straightforward 25 minute drive on the A55, and the main routes out of Marseille are the A50, taking you towards the cities of the French Riviera, and the A7 taking you north west to Orange and linking with the A9 to Montpellier and Narbonne.