A Travel Price Comparison for France Marseille vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Food, Couples, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel, 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a inspiring, iconic, and religious island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Marseille and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille. Although Marseille and Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel is known for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Marseille and is popular for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Mont-Saint-Michel has many famous sights for visitors. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Marseille is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

People head to Marseille just to party. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Beaches?

Marseille is very good for the beache. However, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

Is Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Mont-Saint-Michel has hiking trails worth exploring. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Marseille is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is very good for its Christmas markets. However, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Neither Marseille nor Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

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

Mont-Saint-Michel has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille and Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good city to visit for backpackers. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Students?

Marseille is a great destination for students. However, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Is Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Marseille and Mont-Saint-Michel.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Marseille and Mont-Saint-Michel are excellent when it comes to 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is very walkable. There are many stunning walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Marseille Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Families should spend more time in Marseille than Mont-Saint-Michel. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Marseille than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

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

A weekend in Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With food and shopping around the vibrant city of Marseille, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

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

Five days in Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the vibrant destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the iconic island of Mont-Saint-Michel. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Marseille is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Mont-Saint-Michel 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 comparing the travel costs between Marseille and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 9940 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Marseille and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Marseille during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Marseille is generally a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 24°C (75°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

In Mont-Saint-Michel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the summer, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Mont-Saint-Michel. The autumn months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

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

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Marseille usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marseille this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine.

In the winter, Marseille is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marseille in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in January than Mont-Saint-Michel. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Marseille is generally a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 13°C (56°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during spring. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marseille usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Marseille gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Marseille