Marseille

France’s second city is easily worth a short holiday in itself but it also makes a great day out from Beaumes de Venise. Our recommendation is to get the TGV from Avignon which takes you into the heart of the city in around 40 minutes. There is reasonably priced all day parking at the Avignon TGV  station (P3, P4, P5, P6) so door-to-door is possible in under two hours, especially if you buy your tickets on-line. Buying on-line – printer for tickets in the garage or can get bar code for mobile phone – also allows choice amongst the highly variable prices; (single journey from €10 to over €70++ depending on service chosen).

Once there, suggest a walk down to the old port via the Boulevard d’Athènes and La Canebière finishing at the fish market with its amazing mirrored ceiling. Then a stroll round to Fort Saint-Jean and the MuCEM and up into the old town for lunch. We recommend the Bar des 13 Coins…. To be fair, it’s the only place we’ve eaten at there so we can’t claim exhaustive research, but it was very good. We’ve also tried a fish restaurant along the harbour front, La Cigale, which was a bit less rustic but with an excellent “catch of the day”.

Then perhaps take Le Petit Train round the shore line and up to Notre-Dame de la Garde. A bit touristy but saves the legs and someone else does all the driving. (Alternatively, take a cab up for about €10). The Cathedral itself is interesting and has fantastic views over the city.

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