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

Should you visit Rouen or Marseille?

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

Should I visit Rouen or Marseille? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Rouen

Rouen is a impressive, relaxing, and historical 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Rouen and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rouen or Marseille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marseille than Rouen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Marseille is more popular for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Rouen is known for its museums. Marseille is more touristy than Rouen and is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also home to The Vieux Port. Rouen is popular for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Rouen different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Rouen 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 Rouen. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its 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.

Rouen has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

Is Rouen or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Rouen or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a popular place for the beache. However, Rouen 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.

Rouen is not a beach destination.

Is Rouen or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

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.

Rouen has an old town worth visiting. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Rouen or Marseille?

Marseille is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Rouen has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

Is Rouen or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a popular place for its Christmas markets. However, Rouen 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.

Rouen does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Rouen or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Rouen is a family-friendly city. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

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 Rouen or Marseille Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Rouen and Marseille make for a very good place to visit.

Rouen is a very popular place to visit for couples. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

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.

Is Rouen or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille is a popular place for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

Is Rouen or Marseille Better for Students?

Marseille is notable for students. However, Rouen 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.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Rouen 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 Rouen can get you to most places easily. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

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 Rouen or Marseille a more walkable city?

Rouen and Marseille both are very good when exploring on foot.

Rouen is a very walkable city. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Rouen?

How long in Rouen or Marseille?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rouen and Marseille. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Marseille than in Rouen. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Rouen, and 2-3 days is enough time in Marseille.

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Rouen. 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 Rouen 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 Rouen or Marseille?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Rouen. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rouen has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Marseille, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this energetic 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 Rouen or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Rouen. 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 Rouen or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxing city of Rouen. 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.

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 Rouen or Marseille?

Rouen 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in France, and The Best Luxury Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Rouen or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Rouen 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 Rouen 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 Rouen or Marseille in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Rouen is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rouen in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Marseille averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rouen. In the summer, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets more rain in July than Marseille. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Marseille in the Autumn?

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

In October, Rouen is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 12°C (53°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during autumn. Rouen gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rouen usually receives less rain than Marseille. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rouen or Marseille in the Winter?

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

Rouen can be very cold during winter. Rouen is much colder than Marseille in the winter. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Marseille fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Rouen gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Rouen or Marseille in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Rouen is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rouen in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Marseille. Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during spring. Rouen gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rouen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Marseille. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Rouen