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

Should you visit Reims or Marseille?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reims 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.

Reims

Reims is a scenic, cultural, 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. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Reims and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Reims or Marseille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marseille than Reims. 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 Reims attracts visitors for its museums. Reims is famous for its Champagne Houses, impressive architecture, and beautiful cathedral. Marseille is famous for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also well known for The Vieux Port.

How is Reims different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Reims 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 Reims. Sights around town include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, Palais du Tau, Basilique Saint-Rémi, and Musée des Beaux-Arts.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Reims and Marseille offer amazing local cuisine and restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Reims is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. While its famous for its Champagne, the city also has Michelin starred restaurants, local produce, and an amazing regional cuisine. The region is known for its ham, cheese, mustard, and truffles.

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 Reims or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Reims is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Marseille is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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 Reims has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is relaxing but active. Most locals hang out with friends at local bars near Place Drouet d'Erlon or the Rue Chanzy area. Bars have a combination of local beers and Champagne.

Is Reims or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Reims 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.

Reims is not a beach destination.

Is Reims or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is very popular for its historic old town charm. However, Reims does not have a historic old town.

Marseille has a world-famous historical area. 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.

Reims does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Reims or Marseille?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Marseille and Reims.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Reims. You'll find not only Champagne, but also jewellry, designer fashion, and chocolate. The best shopping is located around the Place Drouet d'Erlon which is a pedestrian area. Also check out the shopping streets of Rue de Vesle and Cours Langlet.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Is Reims or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a nice place to visit for its Christmas markets. However, Reims 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.

Reims does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Reims or Marseille Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Reims or Marseille as a family destination.

Reims doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy exploring the historical city center or visiting the Palace of Tau. For a unique activity, view the region from above with a hot air balloon ride.

For families, Marseille is not always the best place to visit. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Is Reims or Marseille Better for Couples?

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

Reims has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This romantic area is perfect for couples who enjoy wine and history. There is beautiful architecture as well as wine tours and breathtaking hot air balloon rides. Visiting the Champagne Houses is a must for any couple visiting the area.

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 Reims or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Reims and Marseille are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Reims. It's located in the Champagne region, which isn't often associated with backpackers, but it's still not to be missed.

Marseille is a good city to visit for backpackers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Reims or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is well known for students. However, Reims is not popular with 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.

Reims is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Reims and Marseille.

You'll find some public transit in Reims, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. In town there are buses and trams, but to get into the countryside you'll need your own car.

While Marseille offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Reims or Marseille a more walkable city?

Reims and Marseille both are superb when exploring on foot.

Reims is a very walkable destination. You can explore the city on foot and reach many local Champagne Houses. If you really want to explore everything in depth, you'll need a car.

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 Reims Worth Visiting? and Is Marseille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Reims?

How long in Reims or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Reims and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Reims than in Marseille. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Reims, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

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

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

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

In Marseille, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this vibrant destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Reims or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the relaxing destination of Reims. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Reims or Marseille?

You'll find nightlife and food around the beautiful city of Reims. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Marseille is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Marseille. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Reims or Marseille?

Reims 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.

You'll find nightlife and food around the energetic destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Reims and Marseille, we can see that Marseille 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 Reims Expensive? and Is Marseille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Reims or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Reims. When comparing the sizes of Reims 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 Reims or Marseille?

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 Reims or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Reims as well as Marseille. The summer months attract visitors to Reims because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marseille this time of year.

Reims is cooler than Marseille in the summer. The daily temperature in Reims averages around 19°C (65°F) in July, and Marseille fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Reims this time of the year. In the summer, Reims often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Reims gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Reims usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Reims gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reims or Marseille in the Autumn?

Both Marseille and Reims are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Reims this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Reims is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Reims in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Marseille averages at about 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Reims usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Reims gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Reims usually receives less rain than Marseille. Reims gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Reims or Marseille in the Winter?

Both Marseille and Reims during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Reims 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.

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

In the winter, Reims often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Reims gets 50 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

Reims usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Marseille. Reims gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Reims or Marseille in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Reims and Marseille. Many visitors come to Reims in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Reims is cooler than Marseille in the spring. The daily temperature in Reims averages around 9°C (49°F) in April, and Marseille fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. Reims usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. Reims gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Reims usually receives less rain than Marseille. Reims gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Reims