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In this blog, Hazel will take you on a short-but-sustainable trip to Marseille in the south of France. Travelling within your host country is a great way to explore regional differences!
Travelling Fast or Cheap: Can There Be a Compromise?
Unfortunately for me, I discovered the OUIGO train right at the end of my exchange year. I knew that TGVs in France were efficient and that the national rail network reaches many stations, but that they could also be quite pricey. So, when my friends and I started to think about planning a trip within France to celebrate the end of exams, I was a bit hesitant to book a long-distance journey. Long story short, I shouldn’t have worried. In the end, it was possibly the best €44 I have ever spent
The Journey
Arriving in Marseille a short 3 hours and 20 minutes after leaving Paris felt incredibly fast. This could be because I was half awake (the train left at 6am) but also because the journey was simple and convenient. Although I bought the basic ticket—with only one piece of luggage and no seat assignment– this did not matter given the early departure. I made sure to charge all my devices and pack breakfast the night before because there was no café car onboard!
Exploring Marseille:
Arriving to blue skies and balmy weather marked a welcome change from the grey drizzle of Paris. It felt like I had transported to a different season, rather than a different French region.
Our first stop off the train was the beach! We wanted sand, so opted for the Plage des Catalans. It was a Sunday, so it was quite busy, although we managed to find a place as a group of 4 quite easily to enjoy the sunshine and the sea breeze.
We had taken the bus to the beach which was very easy and cheap: we tapped in via contactless and paid €1.75. However, on the way back we decided to walk back the scenic route by the ocean. It was a calm and clear day and there were quite a few boats out.
After nursing a bit of a sunburn from the day before, the second day was (thankfully for me) cloudier. We decided to walk to the Basilica, Notre Dame de la Garde, which looks out on the entire city. Inside, the church is ornate, but this is nothing compared to the sweeping panoramic views of the ocean and the city from it. La Bonne Mère was definitely my favourite place to visit– we got some exercise but also visited the most iconic spot in the city for free!
Top Tips for Travelling Sustainably in France
Although we definitely indulged a bit (there were a fair few ice creams), visiting Marseille from Paris was definitely an affordable and environmentally conscious option for a mini break.
If you take anything from this post for planning a getaway in your study abroad country, I would say: ensure that your ticket covers any extras you need (additional baggage, a power socket or a seat reservation); research free or cheap events going on at the time you are planning to visit (quite a few museums are closed in France on Tuesday) and book early!
I hope this helps—happy travels!