Car Hire Marseille Airport

Marseille Airport sits to the north-west of the city, around 24km away, and it takes about 25 minutes to reach the city centre, depending on traffic. There are a couple of options here, starting on the D20 and then taking either the A7 or A55, two of the autoroutes that serve the city.

You can also take the A7 north to Lyon or take the A54 west to Montpellier, while the French Riviera awaits by taking the A50 south-east to Toulon, or the A8 to Cannes. The latter is a partial toll road – as are many of the autoroutes in France.  You can usually pay by cash or card.

The maximum speed limit on autoroutes is 130km/h in fine weather, a limit that drops to 110km/h on expressways, 80km/h on many rural roads, and 50km/h once you enter the cities and towns. Speed limits on roads are also lower in wet weather conditions, and you should always ensure you check signs for the route that you are on.

You’ll be driving on the right-hand side of the road, with overtaking on the left. Use of a mobile phone for drivers is not permitted – something that also applies to Bluetooth headsets or similar devices in cars.

If you’re driving in Marseille, the A55 and the A50 are the two autoroutes that split the town – the port area can be found by using the Tunnel Prado Carénage.

When exploring the city in your hire car, please note that street parking can be difficult to find, but there are plenty of paid car parks and metered parking. Certain routes are also one-way only.

Marseille is far from your average city, blending both stunning attractions with a sophisticated, authentic atmosphere. It’s welcoming, packed with things to see and do and fantastic places to eat, but it’s also a proud place which clings to traditions. Get to grips with Marseille and you’ll embrace its unique character – not to mention its happy proximity to glorious Riviera beaches and Provencal beauty beyond.

Mouth-watering specialities

In many ways, the city’s famed dish of bouillabaisse is a symbol of Marseille.A spicy, aromatic and fragrant mix that is always more than the sum of its parts, start your visit at the popular port area, where two thousand years of history is written into the stone. There are dozens of restaurants, shops and cafes, as well as places to charter boats for offshore day trips.

From here, you can saunter through the labyrinthine streets of Le Panier, the city’s oldest quarter, with its pastel houses and sun-trap squares. The stunning Cathedrale de la Major is the major architectural draw here, but you’ll also find many unsung corners to photograph, admire and fall in love with.

Roaming the Riviera

With car hire at Marseille Airport, you’re only a couple of hours’ drive from the likes of Cannes and Nice, where the fashionable relax by day and the energetic party when the sun sets over the horizon. St. Tropez is particularly popular with visitors in summer, with numerous yachts bobbing in the sea, but head there in low season and you’ll have more of the town to yourself.

Undoubtedly, there’s culture and history to be found here – the Eglise de St-Tropez is a picturesque church in an area of cobbled serenity – but the real action is at the port. The sun glitters on the sea, the restaurants do a roaring trade and, as the day comes to an end, the beach parties begin. Make sure you park up and stay a night, so you can really immerse yourself in the glamorous Riviera lifestyle.

Amazing Avignon

Drive north of the airport on the A7 and head to Avignon, located just an hour away and one of the finest cities in France. Popes reigned from here during the 14^th century, relocating from Rome at a time of papal upheaval. While waiting to return to Italy, they had time to build the truly stunning Palais des Papes with its ornate frescoes and thick walls – it was as much fortress as palace, and remains a staggering sight.

There’s much more to see here too, from the colourful Les Halles market to the remains of the 12^th century bridge Pont St. Benezet. For the best view of Avignon, stroll through the Rocher des Doms park, which runs next to the Rhone and gives perfect vistas of the town.

Before leaving, be sure to make time for a brace of museums packed with artistic gems. Musee Angladon can claim pieces by Van Gogh, Cezanne and Picasso, while Musee du Petit Palais houses Botticelli’s tremendous Madonna with Child. If you’re on a day trip here, you’ll definitely be making plans to come back.

Car hire at Marseille Airport opens up the best that southern France has to offer. Book online now, and an unforgettable adventure awaits.