Grega

Hi folks; I've got a one way plane ticket booked for Marseilles in two weeks, and would be grateful for some general tips from the veterans around here.

My initial plan was to land in Marseilles travelling with all I can carry in a backpack, stay there for one day (sleeping in a hostel) cramming into it as many new but inexpensive activities as I can and then move on to another town/city closer to Paris or Calais. I would then rinse and repeat this process until arriving in Calais in a week or so then return to the UK via train. I have been informed however that this would be mega expensive just in french train travel alone (neglecting the cost of the Eurostar) and being a student planning to take at most say 500 euros I don't want to spend it all on train fares

I've now revised my plans and will stay in Marseilles for about three or four days, then move on to another city with an airport (not sure where yet); stay there for another 4 days or so then fly back home to Manchester.

I suppose what I'm asking is given that where I land in France is already fixed (pretty much as far south as one can get!), is my latter plan too restrictive? Are there ways of exploring France that wouldn't cripple me money-wise? Are there any must see attractions I should visit during my stay?

I should say I've never been abroad before, I'm going alone, and apart from sorting out my EH11 card, travel insurance, getting travellers cheques, and boarding the plane I haven't the foggiest notion of what to expect when I land

Also how welcoming are the natives in Marseilles to English folk who are prepared to try, but speak poor french? I'm currently in the process of cramming as much language study as I can to bolster my long since forgotton GCSE french 14 years ago.

*edit* Also, a bit random, but I hear the french are fond of their cheese which is bad for me as I am very much not fond of it!...do they deal with simple foods like beef stews/chicken sandwiches etc... or will I have to bite the bullet (as it were) and expose myself to the sorts of food I'd never dream of trying if I had alternatives?

dennerlymum

wow what an adventure!

I cant help much except to reassure you that although they like cheese, it will also be possible to buy basic foods like ham sarnies and stews as well!

Travel is fairly inexpensive by rail; you could fly to Leeds or Liverpool from Carcassonne with Flybe and then train to Manchester.

Carcassonne is beautiful and well worth the visit. I think there is a direct train from Marseille, but I could be wrong.

Good luck and have a great time!

snoopycat

I love Marseille, we had a few days there recently. A kind person on this forum reccommended a good hotel on the Quai des Belges.

All kinds of food available from classic French through to Japanese noodle bars, so you won't be forced to live on cheese!

Some English spoken too, you will be fine.

Here's a timetable in English to give you a rough idea of trains/times. From Marseille to Carcassonne you may have to change at either Montpellier or Narbonne.

http://www.raileurope.co.uk/sncf.asp...FeFc4wodgSLreA

We are in Béziers, also worth a look, historic buildings, glorious Cathedral and Canal du Midi. Good luck!

Martin Parker

So much to see and so little time!!

Maybe if you told us what your interests are we could suggest something more definite. How about Toulouse? A big city, yes, but plenty to keep you occupied if you want to avoid travelling around too much. Carcassonne is about an hour east of Toulouse. Not sure about train routes - try the Rail Europe site or the SNCF site for info.

From Toulouse, you can fly direct to Manchester with BMI Baby. The Flybe Manchester - Carcassonne route has been cancelled as far as I know, but they do fly Toulouse to Birmingham. EasyJet fly to Bristol and Gatwick from Toulouse.

If you try and speak French you will be surprised at how helpful the locals will be. Go straight in with do you speak English and don't be surprised at how unhelpful they are!!

Wherever you go you'll have a great time I am sure.

Grega

Thanks guys for the recommendations & links; Toulouse wasn't a place I'd considered but then again I was in the travel north frame of mind which is now moot given I've decided to fly back!

Yeah, perhaps stating my interests would have been handy! I like drawing and visiting galleries (though not so interested in "modern art" or abstract expressionism etc..), I'm a (mature) maths student and have an admiration for science so certain museums and the like would interest me (also like ancient history museums), I rarely ever catch the train or bus if some place is within 1 hours walking/jogging range; scenic walks would be right up my street (so to speak), my taste in music tends to be stuff from the eighties or nineties (Mike & the Mechanics, Deacon Blue, Divine Comedy,...) or classical music...I steer well clear of "clubby", hip hop, R&B type music, and listen to mainstream pop very rarely, I'm interested in 3D animation in both the watching and looking behind the scenes sense. I have no fear of heights so trying things like bungee jumping or parachuting would be cool. I'm also completely fascinated by classical architecture (like cathedrals, city halls, castles etc...as opposed to glass buildings and the like)

Things I'm not so interested in are night clubs (I'm one of those rare people who gets very anxious in those settings), have a low threshold for alcohol (6 pints of regular lager and I'm out) I'm not comfortable in water (the deep variety that is) so surfing, jet skiing, diving, etc... is out. I'm not a shopping sort of person either (though I can't help being drawn into 'gadget' shops if I absolutely have to be in a shopping centre)

That's as much as I can think of right now

Another question I'd like to ask is what are my chances of successfully booking hostels "on the fly" given I'm travelling mid august...do I need to reserve in advance?

Thanks again

Scots in Treignac

Try website "the man in seat 61" and his info on rail passes with a link for France.

Eg 3 days travel in a month costs £118 for a youth

There are buses SNCF and other local firms and Eurobus

Tweedpipe

As you enjoy museums, science and the like, Toulouse could well be a perfect stop-off for a few days.
I suggest places to visit in order are:-
1. Musee des Augustins
2. Musee Fondations Bemberg
3. Musee d'Histoire Naturelle

Carcassone is always a recommendation, especially for visitors with youngish children. However unfortunately over the years I have seen the place become over-commercialized, where it seems that every other shop are now selling plastic swords, plastic armour and the like. And with tourists galore, some of the restaurants now leave a bit to be desired - at least last few times we ate there.
I always prefer to recommend to my visitors, a trip combining Albi and Corde Sur Ciel, both places of which have never failed to please. Whilst in Albi the Saint Cecile Cathredral, and the Toulouse Lautrec museum are 'must' visits.

You say you have a low threshold for alcohol "6 pints of regular lager and I'm out", which could well be normal for a young man; 3 pints of anything and I'm out, which is why I never drink wine or alcohol during the week, but always enjoy savouring 'good' wine at the weekends.

I'm unable to advise on booking hostels for mid August - although I fear it could be somewhat difficult. I'm sure someone will be along who can help with this.
Wherever you end up, have a good trip!

dennerlymum

Having seen your interests I would suggest Toulouse as somewhere to visit over Carcassonne, which I suggested as it was closer to Marseille. You will love the architecture and museums suggested in Toulouse. As a cheap way to introduce you to the cities you have listed to visit, have you considered geocaching?? www.geocaching.com We have placed many caches in the area of Toulouse and have used it to discover the region. You would however need a GPS

cyrian

The geocaching site is down

dennerlymum

It is back online again now; was just off for some maintenance
enjoy!

Grega

Thanks so much for your help guys...it's looking like Toulouse will be my second destination but I've still to check out the seat61 site. I won't be around to respond to any more posts until next week (festival starting tomorrow) but what you've all offered so far has been very helpful indeed

I hope I'm able to repay the courtesies myself once I've returned home along with all the experience gathered along the way!

Martin Parker

Have a great time and let us know where you go and how you get on.

Cheers
Martin

Lavande

Grega, you'll be spoilt for choice wherever you go in France since you love museums and walking too. In your place I'd have opted for a tent and used camping facilities, but since you seem to be sticking to towns all you need do is go to the local Tourist Centre and they'll point you in the right direction for a place to stay, as well as information on local sights, museums etc, and interesting walks. They'll also provide leaflets and maps so once you're sitting on your bed in the evening you can decide what you prefer and plan out your day(s) ahead.
SNCF isn't cheap but there are student rates if you qualify and have the necessary documentation.
As for food, even the most difficult will find lots of mouth-watering dishes to his own taste...
and there's always McDonald's.
Enjoy your trip and tell us all about it when you get back.

Grega

Cheers all..I'm leaving tomorrow!!!
I will be more than happy to share my experiences and pictures with you all once I return to Blighty! (though if I get a window seat on the plane, half my pics will be most likely be of clouds )