Cassis, Villefranche on our own?

[mvh]

Going on the Freedom of the Seas to Europe in September and I know absolutely nothing at this point. How easy is it to get to Cassis from the Marseilles port? We already have drivers set for Rome and Naples and don't want to spend a lot more for an excursion. Just looking to spend the day on our own in Cassis. Any suggestions, cab, train, bus? I guess we are asking the same thing about Villefranche for when we stop in Nice. We would like to spend the day on our own there as well. What is the easiest way to get to both of these places without booking an excursion? Are there cabs to each or do they need to be prearranged?

[Hlitner]

Going on the Freedom of the Seas to Europe in September and I know absolutely nothing at this point. How easy is it to get to Cassis from the Marseilles port? We already have drivers set for Rome and Naples and don't want to spend a lot more for an excursion. Just looking to spend the day on our own in Cassis. Any suggestions, cab, train, bus? I guess we are asking the same thing about Villefranche for when we stop in Nice. We would like to spend the day on our own there as well. What is the easiest way to get to both of these places without booking an excursion? Are there cabs to each or do they need to be prearranged?

 

 

We will leave Cassis to others (haven't been there in years) but can certainly handle Nice :). You have two three inexpensive choices to get to Nice from Villefranche. You can walk it (in about 1:15) if you are so inclined. Otherwise, we think the best way is to simply take the local bus (the #100 is the most common) which only costs about 1.5€. The other good option is to take the train (you have to climb the steps to get to the train station and the trains do not run as often as the bus). Personally we prefer the bus since we can get off relatively close to the old town area and then walk to the Flower Market (our go to place in the morning) located outdoors at the Cours Selaya. If you take the train the station is located at a more central part of town. As to French taxis....the drivers march to their own drums (which must beat loudly in their heads). There will be a few taxis at the tender pier, but they are looking for a better fare then just to nearby Nice. And personally, we think public transit is more fun :).

 

We will relate a couple of tales about French taxis. One time we tendered into Cannes about 7:30am only to find there were no taxis.....NOT 1. A few minutes later, as we walked towards the train station we passed a cafe located about 1/3 mile from the tender pier where there were more then 6 taxis parked. The drivers were all inside enjoying their morning Cafe au lait, reading their newspapers, and socializing. They could care less that there was a cruise ship in town. Another instance happened about 2 years ago when we came back to Le Havre (from Rouen) via a train about 5 pm on a Saturday. There were about a dozen locals waiting at the taxi queue and not a single cab. One of the locals was frantically yelling into his phone. He later told me that all the taxis were apparently home having supper (we walked the approximate 2 miles back to our ship).

 

Hank

P.S. The taxis in Paris are fine...especially those operated by "G7."

[toseaornottosea]

Hank, FYI, mvh was asking about getting from Nice to Villefranche not from Villefranche to Nice.

[Hlitner]

Hank, FYI, mvh was asking about getting from Nice to Villefranche not from Villefranche to Nice.

 

 

And they would be wrong :). The FOS tenders into Villefranche (not Nice) but the way RCI and some other cruise lines print their itineraries...it sometimes lead passengers to think they actually go to Nice. In fact, only small (I think it would be less than 600 feet) cruise ships can dock in Nice, But here is the very funny thing. Would you believe that going from Nice to Villefranche is the exact opposite of going the other way? You would take the same train line (going in the opposite direction) or the same #100 bus (also going in the opposite direction). If heading to Nice you go in the direction of Nice....and if heading from Nice to Villefranche you simply go in the direction of Monte Carlo. You think that is clear enough?

 

Hank