A Travel Price Comparison for France Marseille vs. Beaune for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Marseille or Beaune?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Beaune, 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Beaune

Beaune is a cultural, historic, and culinary town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille and Beaune: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Beaune?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille. Although Marseille and Beaune are both popular with visitors, Marseille has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Marseille is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Beaune is known for its museums and small town charm. Marseille is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also home to The Vieux Port. Beaune is popular for its surrounding vineyards and world-renowned wines.

How is Marseille different from Beaune?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Beaune 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 Beaune?

Beaune is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Beaune can be an interesting and educational experience. Top sights and museums around town include Hôtel-Dieu (a former hospital), Château de Savigny, and Château de la Rochepot.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Marseille and Beaune both to be world-class destinations.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Marseille is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Many restaurants in Beaune have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The restaurant scene is made up of small, narrow, local bistros that serve local dishes with regional ingredients. Many of the menus are focused on wine with the dishes designed specifically to compliment the wines. This is a tourist town, and you'll find many visitors come specifically to enjoy the French cuisine.

Is Marseille or Beaune Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Marseille is a must-see party destination. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Beaune has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs as well as many places to sip French wine and enjoy the evening.

Is Marseille or Beaune Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a good destination for the beache. However, Beaune is not a beach destination.

Marseille offers a nice beach destination. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Beaune is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Beaune Better for its Old Town?

Marseille and Beaune both have world-class historical old towns that attract visitors.

The historic old town of Marseille is revered around the world. 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.

With a famous historical old-town, Beaune offers plenty to see. The old town is walled and compact. It is centered around the medieval hospital complex and it is filled with cobblestone streets and shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Beaune?

Marseille is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Beaune is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Marseille is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Beaune has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Boutiques, wine shops, and independent vendors are fun to explore in town.

Is Marseille or Beaune Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for its Christmas markets. However, Beaune does not offer Christmas markets.

Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Beaune does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Beaune Better for Families?

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

Beaune is a family-friendly town. The town has museums like Hospices de Beaune, Hotel-Dieu (a formal hospital), as well as vineyards that you can hike through. Many people enjoy taking a hot air balloon ride while they're in the region.

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 Beaune Better for Couples?

Beaune is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Beaune has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Couples will enjoy exploring vineyards, sipping French wine, and wandering through the charming old town. There are breathtaking hot air balloon rides and wonderful French restaurants that make for a romantic trip.

Couples visit Marseille frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Is Marseille or Beaune Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille is a good destination for backpackers. However, Beaune is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Marseille. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Beaune is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's a charming town, but it's not on many backpacker's itineraries. There are also a limited number of hostels to choose from.

Is Marseille or Beaune Better for Students?

Marseille is a great destination for students. However, Beaune is not popular with students.

Many students visit Marseille. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Beaune is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Marseille and Beaune.

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 Beaune, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While you can walk around the historic center, it's possible to take a bus if you're traveling further.

Is Marseille or Beaune a more walkable city?

Beaune is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Beaune. It's a walkable town that's perfect for taking a stroll.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Beaune or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Beaune?

It's fun to spend time in either Marseille or Beaune. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Beaune due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Marseille, and 2-4 days is enough time in Beaune.

Families should spend more time in Beaune than Marseille. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Beaune, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Marseille than Beaune 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 Beaune?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Beaune. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Marseille or Beaune?

Marseille is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the quaint destination of Beaune. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Beaune?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic town of Beaune. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Marseille or Beaune?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the energetic destination of Marseille. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Beaune is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 comparing the travel costs between Marseille and Beaune, we can see that Beaune is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Beaune?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Beaune. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Beaune, 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 Beaune?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Marseille or Beaune in the Summer?

Both Beaune and Marseille during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Beaune in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Marseille is generally a little warmer than Beaune. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 24°C (75°F), and Beaune fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Beaune, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the summer, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Beaune. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaune receives 266 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in July than Beaune. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Beaune in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Beaune. Many visitors come to Marseille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Beaune for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months.

Marseille is a little warmer than Beaune in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Beaune fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Beaune during autumn. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Beaune receives 121 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Marseille usually receives more rain than Beaune. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marseille or Beaune in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Beaune. Most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Beaune because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Beaune can be very cold. In the winter, Marseille is much warmer than Beaune. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marseille in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Beaune averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Beaune. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaune receives 53 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in January than Beaune. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Beaune in the Spring?

Both Beaune and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm are the main draw to Beaune this time of year.

In April, Marseille is generally a little warmer than Beaune. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 13°C (56°F), and Beaune fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Beaune during spring. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Beaune receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marseille usually receives less rain than Beaune. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Beaune receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Beaune and Marseille