Cycling around Marseille

[jefmcg]

(not really touring or expedition, but this seems the closest forum)
I'm joining my partner for a conference in Marseille, we'll have two days to check out the city together, but I will have 2 days before that to explore on my own.

Should I bring my folder? It's a bit of a pfaff, as I usually only travel with hand luggage, but it won't cost me anything, and I've taken it across the world, so am happy to throw it in the luggage. Is it a good place for solo touristy cycling? I've done the Dunwich Dynamo on this bike, so distance isn't a worry. I'll probably save Marseille itself to see as a couple, so any suggestions of where to go in the nearby area would be welcome.

I'm vaguely aware that Marseille can be a bit more dangereuse than other parts of France: anything I should be particularly wary of as a single woman?

(I'll have a study of this before I set off)

thanks

 

[JC4LAB]

Used Marseille airport for a trip to Provence and stayed In Marseiile overnight. first stiop.You aint far from Provence..Getting to and back to Marsaiile on the train in a day with your bike to some where in Provence should be workable..30 mins to Avignon + other famous towns etc, but you may need to take a slower local train if you dont take the folder.. .The bus coach I took from Marseille to Haute provence was actually bike friendly willing to take a full size bike if there was space. but I had a folder....I think you will have lots of options..Marseiulle has those bike hire leave anywhere bike schemes like in london .....but the guides says its hilly windy and busy traffic wise...which was as I found it on my own short ride cycling through.to the bus station...All towns are worth seeing if you are there

 

[psmiffy]

but the guides says its hilly windy and busy traffic wise...which was as I found it on my own short ride cycling through.to the bus station...All towns are worth seeing if you are there

I have cycled through Marseilles on tour on a number of occasions - yes the traffic is interesting - yes there are some good hills - and on the occasion that it was windy I needed the granny gear and a lot of road - Otherwise I quite like Marseilles

 

[rich p]

I have cycled through Marseilles on tour on a number of occasions - yes the traffic is interesting - yes there are some good hills - and on the occasion that it was windy I needed the granny gear and a lot of road - Otherwise I quite like Marseilles

This is a quote Ihave lifted from smiffy's tour blog....
... Marseilles I always like to get shut of as soon as possible but is quite interesting in its own right - just wish that there was a camping site there so I could see if it as bad as the French make it out to be

 

[Brains]

I've been to Marseilles both for business, visiting a friend and several times as a place on the way to somewhere else.
To me it's just another big smelly port city, I don't remember anything about the place that would be of any interest to anyone, although like all cities I'm sure it has it charms somewhere, but they say that about Grimsby as well.
It does however have a fascinating history, so although I've never had the time, the local museums should be well worth a look.

Personally if I had two days 'off' in Marseilles I'd get out of the city ASAP.
Take the folder certainly if that is what you want to do, but if you want to look around towns then a bike may not be the best way to do it.

As in earlier posts the towns to see are Avignon, there is enough there to take up a day of sightseeing, Orange has a good Roman amphitheatre, (You can cycle between them, downhill all the way, along the Rhone), Arles I seem to remember was quite nice, and you could cycle across the Camargue, which is flat, beautiful (if you like Rye marsh) and remote

You could do a two day tour basically following the Rhone. Start at Orange, Chateau Neurf du Pape (Its at the top of a hill but worth the ride), Avignon, Arles, Camargue, and then to Fos (a Naval garrison town) for the train back to Marseilles.

 

[JC4LAB]

some infoirmation on the area here.c/o a cycling holiday Company Ive used and can recommend....
http://www.explore.co.uk/images/travelzen/files/tripnotes/published/CVP2012STAN.pdf
all these sights to choose from.... a short train ride away....Camarague is famous for its wild horses..

 

[jefmcg]

Thanks Guys.

In Marseille with BIke. Wheels covered with (hopefully)dog poop from wheeling it from station. Like the town quite a lot, but have no intention of cycling in it.

So I've got from when my partner leaves for his conference tomorrow - 8ish - until a polite time before our 21.30 appointment with Bouillabaisse. I'll plot something on the GPX and if all goes well, update in 24 hours +

Thanks for all the help

joan

 

[jefmcg]

Bugger. It's a wash. I've got food poisoning so haven't even left the hotel room yet. My big adventure of the day was going to Provence or the Carmargue, and now it's stepping out to the chemist and see if boisson de réhydratation the correct translation.

Thanks for the help. Next time, for sure.

 

[rich p]

Bugger. It's a wash. I've got food poisoning so haven't even left the hotel room yet. My big adventure of the day was going to Provence or the Carmargue, and now it's stepping out to the chemist and see if boisson de réhydratation the correct translation.

Thanks for the help. Next time, for sure.