Marseille, France, is known for the Vieux-Port (old port) neighborhood filled with yachts, and the most visited monument in the city, the Notre Dame de la Garde Basilica. The streets of Marseille are also frequently filled with street markets. While you’re in town, you should take advantage to see the Palais Longchamp park as well as the Parc National des Calanques, a national park about a half an hour out of the city if you book a Marseille car rental. There are about 20-30 car rental locations in Marseille and finding affordable and cheap car rentals in Marseille is feasible. The issue will be with parking and we suggest parking your car rental in Marseille on the outskirts or in a parking garage and getting around the city on foot or via public transportation.
While visiting, is it worthwhile to rent a car while visiting Marseille?
Marseille is pedestrian-friendly and it is difficult to park around the city, though not complicated to drive through. Nevertheless, the coast of Marseille, the French Riviera, and the Provence region are full of beautiful Mediterranean towns and rolling vineyards that you should make sure to visit for a complete experience. Some of the most picturesque and natural Mediterranean scenery can be found at the Parc National Calanques, only a half an hour drive with your rental car in Marseille. The old capital of the Provence region was Aix-en-Provence, also known as the "City of Fountains." You can get to Aix-en-Provence in under an hour driving your car rental in Marseille directly inland. Avoid driving around the city during rush-hours in your passenger van rental as the roads can get pretty congested, especially the Periferique, the highway circling the city. Parking your economy car rental may be challenging; you can either leave it in one of the multiple parking garages or find somewhere out of the city center and then make your way in to Marseille.
What different driving laws should I keep in mind while driving in Marseille?
In France they drive on the right-hand side of the road. They also use the metric system so the speed limits and distances will be in kilometers. When driving your car rental in Marseille and in the rest of France, you can’t make right-hand turns at red lights. If you come across a solid white line at an intersection, it implies the need to stop whether or not there is a sign. It’s mandatory that all passengers in the vehicle wear a seatbelt at all times, and children under the age of 10 are not allowed to sit in the front seat. Nonetheless, it’s best you check with Marseille’s department of motor vehicles, the Securité Routière, for any possible traffic law updates.
Will I need a special driver’s license or permit to drive a rental car in Marseille if I’m visiting from another country?
To be able to pick up a rental car in France you will need to be at least 21 years old, have a valid driver’s license and a credit card in your name. An International Driver’s Permit is not required to rent a car if you are visiting from out of the country as long as your foreign driver’s license is in the Roman alphabet.