A Travel Price Comparison for France Nantes vs. Marseille for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Nantes or Marseille?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nantes or Marseille, 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.

Nantes

Nantes is a friendly, historical, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Nantes and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nantes or Marseille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille than Nantes. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Marseille is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Nantes attracts visitors for its museums. Marseille is more touristy than Nantes and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port. Nantes is famous for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Nantes different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nantes 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 Nantes can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Nantes and Marseille can be an enjoyable experience.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Nantes is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet wine).

Many restaurants in Marseille have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Is Nantes or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

The nightlife in Marseille is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

Nantes is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

Is Nantes or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Nantes is not a beach destination.

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

Nantes is not a beach destination.

Is Nantes or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Marseille offers plenty to see. 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.

Many visitors go to Nantes to see the historical old town. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Nantes or Marseille?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Nantes and Marseille.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Nantes. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

Marseille is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Is Nantes or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Nantes does not offer Christmas markets.

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

Nantes does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Nantes or Marseille Better for Families?

Nantes is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Nantes. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

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 Nantes or Marseille Better for Couples?

Nantes and Marseille are both superb to visit as a couple.

Nantes makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

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 Nantes or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

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

Nantes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't as many hostels as you would expect in the area, so finding an affordable and social place to stay may be a bit challenging.

Is Nantes or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Marseille is a great city to visit as a student. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Nantes is popular with students. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

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

Nantes is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Nantes can get you to most places easily. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

You'll find some public transit in Marseille, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Nantes or Marseille a more walkable city?

Nantes and Marseille are superb when it comes to walkability.

Nantes is a very walkable destination. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

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 Nantes Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Nantes?

How long in Nantes or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nantes and Marseille. In our opinion, Marseille has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Marseille than Nantes. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Nantes. 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.

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.

A weekend in Nantes or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Nantes. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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.

Five days in Nantes or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful city of Nantes. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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.

A week in Nantes or Marseille?

Nantes 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in France, and The Best River Cruises in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nantes and Marseille, we can see that Marseille is more expensive. And not only is Nantes much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nantes would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nantes 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 Nantes.

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

Which is Bigger, Nantes or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nantes. When comparing the sizes of Nantes and Marseille, 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 Nantes or Marseille?

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 Nantes or Marseille in the Summer?

Both Marseille and Nantes are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Nantes because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

Nantes is cooler than Marseille in the summer. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nantes. Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Nantes gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nantes usually receives more rain than Marseille. Nantes gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nantes or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Nantes during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nantes this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Nantes is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nantes in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Marseille averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Nantes often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Nantes gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Marseille. Nantes gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Marseille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nantes and Marseille. Many travelers come to Nantes for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Marseille in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Nantes is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 6°C (42°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Nantes gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nantes usually receives more rain than Marseille. Nantes gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nantes or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nantes as well as Marseille. Many visitors come to Nantes in the spring for the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Nantes is cooler than Marseille in the spring. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the spring, Nantes often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Nantes gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Marseille and Nantes