Aix or Cassis

[SeansMommy]

A port we're stopping at, we like to eat, drink wine, visit landmarks...which is better?

[marazul]

Two completely different places. You can eat and drink wine at either one, but to visit landmarks it would have to be Aix. Cassis is a small town on the shore. Lots of restaurants on the water, boat rides to see the Calanques, beaches. Good place to relax. If you have a car, there are nice wineries there and in nearby Bandol. Pretty much the same answer to your previous post.

 

Aix is living history, a beautiful city center. The Cours Mirabeau is a gorgeous tree lined avenue with many good restaurants on one side and lovely mansions on the other. St Saviour's Cathedral is really interesting, dates from the 5th century with additions up to the 15th. Most of the mansions date from the 17th and 18th centuries.

 

My pick? Aix.

[Hlitner]

Agree with Marazul. Given a choice between the two we would definitely opt for Aix.

 

Hank

[SeansMommy]

Agree with Marazul. Given a choice between the two we would definitely opt for Aix.

 

Hank

 

thank you

[calvin81]

We docked in Marseilles and were undecided as to which we'd go to: Cassis or Aix en Provence. We stood in line at the train station, thinking we'd decide based on the next train. Well, the trains were on strike and the line wasn't moving. Thankfully a young woman heard us talking and told us there are buses very frequently to Aix. We walked over to the bus side of the station and one was leaving within minutes. You pay the driver (5.1 Euros) and they go two or three times an hour. Only took 35 minutes (quoted longer -- maybe to allow for traffic?) and it was a very nice bus -- a/c and free wifi. We loved Aix, and had time to explore Marseilles abit when we got back too.

[Buttercup50]

We have a port stop in Marseille in September. Aix is where I want to go as well. Would you say you could easily enjoy maneuvering on your own once you arrived and a tour wasn't necessary? Any barrier from language to find transportation or communicate while in AIX. Transportation back as easy? Any additional info on your day there appreciated.

[mlkitt3]

We were in Marseille a few weeks ago on our cruise. When we arrived as we were getting off the ship a couple asked if we would like to share a taxi with them then another couple over heard us and said that they would like to go as well. We got a taxi that could take 6 of us we went to Aix first and looked around for a few hours. Then we went to Cassis and had a couple of hours there then back to Marseille drive around seeing the city stopping at the Cathedral then having some time to walk around the city before heading back to the ship.

There were plenty of Taxis that could take 4 people getting one for 6 is not as easy. Aix is a pretty town lovely little streets and squares with beautiful markets at least on the day we were there. Cassis is a small beach side town very touristy has lots of cafes, restaurants over looking the water.

You can easily do both towns and have lunch at one of them depending on your time in port. The taxi was so easy and our driver spoke English.

[calvin81]

We had a ship's shuttle to the center of Marsellies. It was a 10-15 minute walk to the train/bus station. The bus for Aix is number 50 -- go outside and look for number 50 and pay the driver (5.2 Euros I think). Once in Aix you walk right past the tourist info office -- get a map and ask where the outgoing buses board (it was a different spot than where we were dropped off) and have them show you on the map. The buses leave a few times an hour. Couldn't have been easier.

[jodenise]

We were in Marseille a few weeks ago on our cruise. When we arrived as we were getting off the ship a couple asked if we would like to share a taxi with them then another couple over heard us and said that they would like to go as well. We got a taxi that could take 6 of us we went to Aix first and looked around for a few hours. Then we went to Cassis and had a couple of hours there then back to Marseille drive around seeing the city stopping at the Cathedral then having some time to walk around the city before heading back to the ship.

There were plenty of Taxis that could take 4 people getting one for 6 is not as easy. Aix is a pretty town lovely little streets and squares with beautiful markets at least on the day we were there. Cassis is a small beach side town very touristy has lots of cafes, restaurants over looking the water.

You can easily do both towns and have lunch at one of them depending on your time in port. The taxi was so easy and our driver spoke English.

 

Hi,

What is the cost of a Taxi to Aix en provence? for 4 or 6?

[cruisinsince75]

I'd do both. As stated before, they are both very different experiences. Last April we had a wonderful time visiting both from our port in Toulon. We hired Catherine with Tour Designers in Provence and she was fantastic. Did Cassis in the morning drove to the top of the hill overlooking the picturesque harbor, did a late morning wine tasting, then lunch on the Cours Mirabeau. Followed by a walking tour of all the sites. Aix is a vibrant university town, and full of history. If you only have the time to do one, I would choose Aix, but we really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of Cassis.

 

Bon Voyage!

[hobbess]

Which port is the ship docking in?

 

If you're docking in Toulon, I'd go with Cassis since Aix is pretty far away. Or, better yet, go to Bandol since you're interested in wine and its even closer than both Aix or Cassis.

 

But, if you're docking in Marsielles, then you could choose to do either city.