A Travel Price Comparison for France Saint-Etienne vs. Marseille for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Marseille?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint-Etienne and Marseille. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a industrial, undiscovered, and authentic city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking.

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.

Saint-Etienne and Marseille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Marseille?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marseille than Saint-Etienne, 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, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Saint-Etienne is known for its museums and hiking. Marseille is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. It is also home to The Vieux Port. Saint-Etienne is popular for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Marseille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Marseille?

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Marseille, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Marseille Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Marseille Better for Beaches?

Marseille is a good destination for the beache. However, Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

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

Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Is Saint-Etienne or Marseille Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Marseille Better for Hiking?

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

Saint-Etienne has hiking trails worth exploring. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Marseille is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Marseille?

Marseille is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Saint-Etienne or Marseille Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for visiting Christmas markets. However, Saint-Etienne does not offer Christmas markets.

Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Saint-Etienne does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Saint-Etienne or Marseille Better for Families?

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

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly city. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

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 Saint-Etienne or Marseille Better for Couples?

Marseille is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Marseille is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Saint-Etienne or Marseille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marseille is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

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

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Is Saint-Etienne or Marseille Better for Students?

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

Many students visit Marseille. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Saint-Etienne is not popular with students.

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

Saint-Etienne and Marseille both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Marseille has a few public transit options. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Saint-Etienne or Marseille a more walkable city?

Marseille is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Marseille or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Marseille?

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

Couples should spend more time in Marseille than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Marseille?

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the vibrant destination of Marseille. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Marseille?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the undiscovered destination of Saint-Etienne. 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Marseille?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the undiscovered city of Saint-Etienne. 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Marseille. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Marseille?

Saint-Etienne 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 shopping and nightlife around the beautiful city of Marseille. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Marseille?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Marseille in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Marseille. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Marseille. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint-Etienne in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Marseille averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marseille this time of the year. In Saint-Etienne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during summer. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Marseille. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Marseille in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Marseille. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Marseille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saint-Etienne is generally cooler than Marseille. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 14°C (56°F), and Marseille fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. In the autumn, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 205 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Marseille in the Winter?

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

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

Saint-Etienne usually receives less sunshine than Marseille during winter. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Marseille receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Marseille. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Marseille in the Spring?

Both Marseille and Saint-Etienne during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Saint-Etienne is cooler than Marseille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint-Etienne in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Marseille averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Marseille. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marseille receives 245 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in April than Marseille. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Marseille receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marseille and Saint-Etienne