A Travel Price Comparison for France Marseille vs. Giverny for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Marseille or Giverny?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Giverny, 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. Since it has a quaint atmosphere, you'll want to spend time soaking it all in. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Giverny

Giverny is a serene, inspiring, and picturesque town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the food and museums.

Marseille and Giverny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Giverny?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille. Although Marseille and Giverny are both popular with visitors, Marseille has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Marseille is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Giverny is known for its museums & sights, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Giverny is more touristy than Marseille and is known for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Marseille is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also home to The Vieux Port.

How is Marseille different from Giverny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Giverny 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 Giverny can be an interesting and educational experience. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

For foodies, Marseille is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Giverny area. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

Is Marseille or Giverny Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Giverny specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's generally considered a daytime destination so you won't find much nightlife here.

Is Marseille or Giverny Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a popular place for the beache. However, Giverny is not a beach destination.

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

Giverny is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Giverny Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Giverny 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.

Giverny does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Giverny?

Marseille is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Marseille is well-known for its shopping. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Marseille or Giverny Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a popular place for visiting Christmas markets. However, Giverny does not offer Christmas markets.

Many visitors go to the Christmas markets in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Giverny does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Giverny Better for Families?

Neither Marseille nor Giverny are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

Marseille is not always a place people visit with their families. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Giverny doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Marseille or Giverny Better for Couples?

Marseille and Giverny are both very good to visit as a couple.

Marseille makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Couples visit Giverny frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

Is Marseille or Giverny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Giverny are both good destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Marseille. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Giverny is a good city to visit for backpackers. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

Is Marseille or Giverny Better for Students?

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

Marseille is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Giverny is not popular with students.

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

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

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 Giverny, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

Is Marseille or Giverny a more walkable city?

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

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

Giverny is a somewhat walkable city. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).

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

Should I spend more time in Giverny or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Giverny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Marseille or Giverny to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Marseille than Giverny 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 Giverny.

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Giverny. 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 Giverny 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Giverny has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Marseille or Giverny?

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 peaceful destination of Giverny. 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 Giverny?

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 picturesque town of Giverny. 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 Giverny?

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.

Giverny 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 Giverny, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. And not only is Giverny much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Giverny would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Giverny 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 Giverny.

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

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Giverny?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 1410 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Giverny, 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Giverny. Many visitors come to Marseille in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Giverny for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Marseille is generally a little warmer than Giverny. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 24°C (75°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Giverny this time of the year. In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Giverny during summer. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marseille usually receives less rain than Giverny. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marseille or Giverny in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Giverny. Most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Giverny because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

Marseille is a little warmer than Giverny in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Giverny fluctuates around 13°C (56°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 Giverny. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 127 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets more rain in October than Giverny. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Giverny in the Winter?

Both Giverny and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Giverny this time of year.

It's quite cold in Giverny in the winter. In the winter, Marseille is a little warmer than Giverny. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marseille in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Giverny averages at about 5°C (40°F).

Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Giverny during winter. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marseille usually receives less rain than Giverny. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marseille or Giverny in the Spring?

Both Giverny and Marseille during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Giverny for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Marseille is generally a little warmer than Giverny. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 13°C (56°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the spring, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Giverny. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 172 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Giverny and Marseille