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Original poster

Marseille- safe to visit?

11 replies

AgathaSpencerGregson · 29/06/2023 23:46

Will be in France (Montpellier) in august for DS to attend a language course. I would like to go to Marseilles while there. Now I know a lot of French cities are having some acute issues right now but even prior to that I have read articles re: drug gangs in Marseilles and how it’s all a bit frilly there right now.
I am from Merseyside and thus no stranger to rough towns (!) but if it is nasty there now I will go on my own and not take DD. Anyone had recent experiences?

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TheOGCCL · 29/06/2023 23:57

I spent five days in Marseille at the beginning of June on holiday and it was fine. It’s a big, sprawling port city so definitely a bit more rough and ready than Montpellier but didn’t feel unsafe.

redspottedmug · 30/06/2023 00:08

Stick to the touristy areas around the old port and old town Le Panier and Notre Dame de La Garde. If you wander behind the port there are good cheap Algerian cafes but I wouldn't go beyond the first couple of streets.

JWR · 30/06/2023 06:52

It’s absolutely fine and IMO much nicer and more relaxed than Paris. DD and I had no problems with hassle or anything there.

tarheelbaby · 30/06/2023 07:24

I would go.
This reminds me of all those things I read about Barcelona being Int'l Pickpocketing HQ. We went as a family during Easter hols before COVID-19 and had a grand time. All big cities have dodgy areas and shady people but if you are sensible, you should be fine.

Sunnydaysareahead · 30/06/2023 07:30

We've been loads and had no problems - we did stay around the Prado plage area which was very safe.

Also Cassis is lovely and very safe

Nubnut · 30/06/2023 07:36

I went there for a weekend with some French friends. Two of my friends (women) are a gay couple. Completely out of the blue, I think when we were getting a last drink or a kebab (about 11pm), we got loads of abuse from this group of guys, and they started trying to beat up another of our friends (who is a guy). My friend is really tall and strong, otherwise it felt like it could have been much worse. We got away but we felt really shaken, especially because the area we were in felt like just a normal quite central area with bars.
Another night, we had such a good time and everything went fine.
The consensus among my friends was that it felt quite different to Paris, less safe and ripe for unexpected things happening.
So I would definitely go and enjoy it, but just exercise a bit more caution than you would in other big European cities. Would be my advice.
Do go though, it’s a wonderful place.

Nubnut · 30/06/2023 07:37

This was 5 years ago by the way

Original poster
AgathaSpencerGregson · 30/06/2023 10:02

Thanks all. Are there any specific recs for North African restaurants? I love a tagine

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Ginmonkeyagain · 01/07/2023 15:13

I mean I wouldn't go to Marseille tonight or anything!

I have been to Marseille a number of times over the years and like it a lot. It's a bit rough and ready and there are areas where you need to be careful - but no more so than some areas of London.

Original poster
AgathaSpencerGregson · 01/07/2023 15:19

I’m sure it will all be sorted out shortly

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