A Travel Price Comparison for France Marseille vs. Auxerre for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Marseille or Auxerre?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Auxerre, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a undiscovered, authentic, and under-rated town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

Marseille and Auxerre: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Auxerre?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marseille. Although Marseille and Auxerre are popular destinations, Marseille has more sights and attractions for tourists. Marseille is very popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Auxerre attracts visitors for its museums and small town charm. Marseille is more touristy than Auxerre and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port. Auxerre is famous for its food, wine, and art history.

How is Marseille different from Auxerre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Auxerre and Marseille. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Marseille or Auxerre?

Auxerre is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Auxerre. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Marseille or Auxerre? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Marseille has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Auxerre offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Is Marseille or Auxerre Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for nightlife.

Marseille has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Much of the city's nightlife is centered around being outdoors. Whether you're on the beach or hanging out at a rooftop bar, Marseille is a magical place.

Most people don't head to Auxerre specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

Is Marseille or Auxerre Better for Beaches?

Marseille is very good for the beach. However, Auxerre is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Marseille to enjoy the beach. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Auxerre is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Auxerre Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Marseille offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The Old Port is filled with shops and boutiques, and is the most scenic part of the city. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is filled with history and character.

Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Auxerre?

Marseille is great for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Marseille or Auxerre Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is very good for visiting Christmas markets. However, Auxerre does not offer Christmas markets.

Marseille offers some nice Christmas markets. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Auxerre does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Auxerre Better for Families?

Auxerre is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Auxerre is a family-friendly town. There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

Marseille doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Is Marseille or Auxerre Better for Couples?

Marseille is great for couples. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Marseille is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Auxerre is a nice destination for couples. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

Is Marseille or Auxerre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for backpackers.

Marseille is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Auxerre is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular stop off on the backpacker circuit, but you will find some affordable accommodation options.

Is Marseille or Auxerre Better for Students?

Marseille is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Auxerre is not popular with students.

Marseille is very popular with students. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Auxerre is not popular with students.

Is Marseille or Auxerre Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Marseille and Auxerre.

Marseille has some public transit options. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

You'll find some public transit in Auxerre, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses around town.

Is Marseille or Auxerre a more walkable city?

Marseille is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Marseille is a very walkable destination. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is particularly walkable and is one of the best areas to explore on foot.

Auxerre is somewhat walkable. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

For even more information, also check out Is Marseille Worth Visiting? and Is Auxerre Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Auxerre or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Auxerre?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Marseille or Auxerre to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Marseille than Auxerre because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Marseille, and 1-2 days is enough time in Auxerre.

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Auxerre. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Marseille that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Marseille than Auxerre if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Marseille.

One day in Marseille or Auxerre?

In Marseille, you'll find shopping and nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find food and museums around the town of Auxerre. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Auxerre has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Marseille or Auxerre?

In Marseille, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Marseille has to offer.

You'll find museums and food around the under-rated destination of Auxerre. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Marseille or Auxerre?

Marseille is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the under-rated town of Auxerre. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Marseille or Auxerre?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Marseille. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Auxerre is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marseille and Auxerre, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. And not only is Auxerre much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Auxerre would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Auxerre and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Marseille would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marseille than you might in Auxerre.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Marseille Expensive? and Is Auxerre Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Auxerre?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Auxerre. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Auxerre, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Marseille or Auxerre?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Marseille or Auxerre in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Auxerre. Most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Auxerre because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Marseille is a little warmer than Auxerre in the summer. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Auxerre fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Auxerre this time of the year. In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Auxerre during summer. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marseille usually receives less rain than Auxerre. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marseille or Auxerre in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Auxerre. The autumn months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Auxerre this time of year.

In the autumn, Marseille is a little warmer than Auxerre. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Marseille in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Auxerre averages at about 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In the autumn, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Auxerre. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 126 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets more rain in October than Auxerre. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Auxerre in the Winter?

Both Auxerre and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Auxerre for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Auxerre. In January, Marseille is generally much warmer than Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 7°C (44°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Auxerre during winter. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 53 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marseille usually receives less rain than Auxerre. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marseille or Auxerre in the Spring?

Both Auxerre and Marseille during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Auxerre in the spring for the small town charm.

Marseille is a little warmer than Auxerre in the spring. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Auxerre fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the spring, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Auxerre. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 167 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Auxerre. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Auxerre and Marseille