{"id":17940,"date":"2015-07-26T17:35:11","date_gmt":"2015-07-26T16:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.france-hotel-guide.com\/en\/blog\/?p=17940"},"modified":"2023-01-23T17:35:40","modified_gmt":"2023-01-23T16:35:40","slug":"nice-vs-marseille","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.france-hotel-guide.com\/en\/blog\/nice-vs-marseille\/","title":{"rendered":"Nice or Marseille: Which City Should You Visit?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Nice<\/p>\n

Would you like to vacation in a sunny place, but are not sure whether Nice or Marseille is the best choice for you? Both of these southern cities attract many tourists, so we will help you choose your next destination based on several criteria: weather, transportation, tourist activities, etc.<\/p>\n

We will assign \u2b50 points to both cities to determine a final ranking for each. Ready? Let’s go!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Weather<\/h2>\n

Nice <\/strong>and Marseille <\/strong>are both sunny <\/strong>cities with very similar temperatures and weather.<\/p>\n

However, Marseille seems to have a higher sun rate than Nice.<\/p>\n

Here is a comparison table to give you an idea of the weather in the two cities and help you choose the best month to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nNice<\/strong><\/td>\nMarseille<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average temperature in January<\/strong><\/td>\n5.2\u00b0C<\/td>\n7.3\u00b0C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average temperature in April<\/strong><\/td>\n11\u00b0C<\/td>\n13.3\u00b0C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average temperature in July<\/strong><\/td>\n21.5\u00b0C<\/td>\n23.5\u00b0C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average temperature in October<\/strong><\/td>\n14.3\u00b0C<\/td>\n16.4\u00b0C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average rainfall<\/strong><\/td>\n894 mm<\/td>\n96 mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Month with the least rain<\/strong><\/td>\nJuly<\/td>\nJuly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Average water temperature<\/strong><\/td>\n18.2\u00b0C<\/td>\n14.4\u00b0C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Source: climate-data.org<\/a> (website in French)<\/p>\n

In short<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

The temperatures and weather are similar, but it is slightly warmer in Marseille than it is in Nice. However, if you want to swim, it seems that the water is much warmer in Nice. Finally, if you plan to travel outside of the summer, watch out for rain in Nice!<\/p>\n

1 \u2b50 point for both cities<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cleanliness<\/h2>\n

Whether in Nice <\/strong>or Marseille<\/strong>, cleanliness often leaves something to be desired: there is garbage <\/strong>in the streets, public transportation<\/strong> is dirty, and some neighborhoods aren\u2019t cleaned regularly.<\/p>\n

Only the most tourist-friendly areas are kept relatively clean.<\/p>\n

In short:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cleanliness seems to be a problem in both cities.<\/p>\n

0 \u2b50 points for both cities<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

Friendliness<\/h2>\n

Nice<\/h3>\n

The residents of the town of Nice <\/strong>are often perceived as unfriendly and cold<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Apparently making good friends can be complicated, and you might be looked down upon if you aren\u2019t part of the jet set.<\/p>\n

In the evening \u2013 especially during the tourist season \u2013 the streets can be noisy until late at night.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Marseille<\/h3>\n

The locals seem to be more friendly<\/strong> in Marseille <\/strong>than in Nice, especially in the 2nd district.<\/p>\n

People, especially shopkeepers, are friendly <\/strong>and easy to talk to… even if they can be a little extravagant and excessive. It is, after all, a Marseille specialty.<\/p>\n

However, if you go to districts<\/strong> that are less safe, you may be faced with more aggressiveness and rudeness<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In short:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The people in Marseille seem to be more friendly than those in Nice, who are generally colder and more reserved.<\/p>\n

1 \u2b50 point for Marseille<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

Public transportation<\/h2>\n

Nice<\/h3>\n

You can easily get around Nice <\/strong>by public transport thanks to the Reseaux Lignes d’Azur network<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The network provides more than 3,000 bus stops<\/strong> across the 49 towns in the Nice \u2013 French Riviera area.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tramway<\/h4>\n

\"Tramway<\/p>\n

There are three tramway lines<\/strong> in Nice that allow you to move around the city seven days a week between 4 am and 1 am<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Line 1<\/strong> provides a east\/north<\/strong> line that goes through the city center<\/strong> by way of Avenue Jean M\u00e9decin<\/strong> and Place Mass\u00e9na<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Line 2<\/strong> runs east and west<\/strong> from the airport <\/strong>to the Nice port<\/strong> and also passes through the city center.<\/p>\n

Line 3<\/strong> runs from the airport <\/strong>to Saint-Isidore<\/strong> after passing by the Allianz Riviera Stadium<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

You can use the same ticket to travel by bus or tram and to make connections.<\/p>\n

A single ticket<\/strong> is valid for 74 minutes<\/strong> and costs \u20ac1.50<\/strong>. You can also buy a 10-trip ticket, a 1-day or 7-day pass, or a round-trip ticket.<\/p>\n

Eight free parking lots<\/strong> are available; you can then reach the city center by tram.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bicycles<\/h4>\n

\"Bikes\"<\/p>\n

The Nice V\u00e9lobleu<\/strong> and e-V\u00e9lobleu<\/strong> bicycle networks are available 24\/7<\/strong>. There are 160 V\u00e9lobleu stations<\/strong> spread across Nice, Cagnes-sur-Mer, and Saint-Laurent-du-Var.<\/p>\n

To rent a bike, you will need to create a customer account and enter your credit card information. You can then purchase a subscription for one day, one week, one month, or one year<\/strong>. You must also include the bike rental in the total cost.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Here is a table to help you get an idea of the cost to rent a bike:<\/p>\n

(For example, if you purchase a 1-day subscription and you ride for 2 hours, you will pay \u20ac4.50).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nSubscription price<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\nRental price<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1 day<\/strong><\/td>\n\u20ac1.50<\/td>\n1st half-hour<\/strong><\/td>\nFree<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7 days<\/strong><\/td>\n\u20ac5<\/td>\n2nd half-hour<\/strong><\/td>\n\u20ac1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1 month<\/strong><\/td>\n\u20ac10<\/td>\nEach hour after the 1st<\/strong><\/td>\n\u20ac2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1 year<\/strong><\/td>\n\u20ac25<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the e-v\u00e9lobus price table:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nSubscription price<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\nRental price<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1 day<\/strong><\/td>\n\u20ac3<\/td>\n1st half-hour<\/strong><\/td>\nFree<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1 year for the general public<\/strong><\/td>\n\u20ac40<\/td>\nEach hour after the 1st<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1 year for V\u00e9lobleu, Lignes d\u2019Azur, or TER subscribers<\/strong><\/td>\n\u20ac10<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Marseille<\/h3>\n

In Marseille<\/strong>, the R\u00e9gie des Transports M\u00e9tropolitains<\/strong> (RTM) is in charge of the public transportation network.<\/p>\n

The network is composed of three tramway lines<\/strong>, two metro lines<\/strong>, and 93 bus lines<\/strong> that all operate every day of the year except for May 1st.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tramway<\/h4>\n

\"Tramway<\/p>\n

The tramway operates from 5 am to 12:30 am<\/strong> and serves the center of Marseille.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • The T1 <\/strong>line provides an east\/west<\/strong> line between Noailles and Les Caillols.<\/li>\n
  • The T2 <\/strong>line provides an east\/north<\/strong> line between Blancarde Foch and Arenc Le Silo.<\/li>\n
  • The T3 <\/strong>line provides a north\/south<\/strong> line between Arenc Le Silo and Castellane.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Metro<\/h4>\n

    The two metro lines run slightly farther than the tram lines but still do not go to the outskirts of Marseille. To do so, you will need to take the bus. The metro runs from 5am to 1am<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    The first line runs from the northeast of Marseille through the city center to the southeast of Marseille.<\/p>\n

    The second line connects the north and the south of Marseille, and also passes through the city center.<\/p>\n

    A single ticket (which costs \u20ac1.12) can be used for the bus, the metro, and the tram. You can also buy a 24-hour or 72-hour pass.<\/p>\n

    There are 16 free parking lots from which you can reach the city center by tram, bus, or RER.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Bicycles<\/h4>\n

    \"Bikes<\/p>\n

    The Marseille Lev\u00e9lo <\/strong>bicycle network is available 24\/7<\/strong>. It has 130 stations.<\/p>\n

    To take advantage of this service, you can choose between a 1-day to 7-day ticket <\/strong>or a yearly subscription<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Here is a comparative table:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    <\/td>\n1-day\u00a0 to 7-day ticket<\/strong><\/td>\nYearly subscription<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Price<\/strong><\/td>\n\u20ac1<\/td>\n\u20ac5\/\u20ac1 for RTM subscribers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    1st half hour<\/strong><\/td>\nFree<\/td>\nFree<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    2nd half hour and each hour over the 1st<\/strong><\/td>\n\u20ac1<\/td>\n\u20ac0.50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    In short:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Nice and Marseille are both very well served cities with many options for public transportation. Marseille is larger than Nice, so it makes sense that it has a larger public transportation system. The tramway in Nice runs longer hours than Marseille’s transportation, but it is also a bit more expensive.<\/p>\n

    1 \u2b50 point for Marseille<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Beaches<\/h2>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Nice<\/h3>\n

    \"Nice<\/p>\n

    The beaches in Nice<\/strong> are mostly pebble beaches<\/strong>. If you want a sandy beach<\/strong>, you will have to travel away from the city center or even outside the city. Nice has 8 km of beaches, most of which are public<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Some beaches are more family-friendly or tourist-oriented than others.<\/p>\n

    There are also a few private beaches if you want more privacy and calm.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Marseille<\/h3>\n

    \"Marseille<\/p>\n

    The coast of Marseille<\/strong> stretches from south to north, alternating between sandy beaches, gravel beaches, and rocks.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    If you like sandy beaches, head to the south.<\/p>\n

    The 15 public beaches<\/strong> in Marseille are all perfect for sunbathing.<\/p>\n

    The massifs and the creeks<\/strong> are also must-sees. If you are up for a long walk, you will discover many of the area’s hidden treasures.<\/p>\n

    In short:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Though Marseille has a few nice beaches, the beaches of Nice are more suitable for swimming and sunbathing. If you like coasts and rocky massifs, however, Marseille is the perfect place!<\/p>\n

    1 \u2b50 point for Marseille<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Activities<\/h2>\n

    Nice<\/h3>\n

    Museums<\/h4>\n

    The city of Nice has a rich cultural offering with 12 museums<\/strong> and galleries for you to discover.<\/p>\n

    Like many other cities, Nice offers free access to museums for children under the age of 18<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    \n
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     <\/p>\n

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    Une publication partag\u00e9e par MAMAC (@mamacnice_officiel)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n