If you’re passport has a pet dust bunny, you know what time it is…

While Cancun is always an option, it’s certainly not the best for cultural immersion with over-the-top curated experiences when there are way better places south of the border to gain a sense of real Mexico.

And guess what? The same can be said for Paris unless you just really love gawking at drab steel beams.

But let’s be real — France has so much more to offer, especially along the dreamy Côte d’Azur, which we will Americanize from this point forward to keep me from continually copy-and-pasting words I can’t spell…

There’s arguably no better time to visit the French Riviera in the fall after the summer crowds dissipate. With so many paradisal locales lining the coast, the question is which one should you choose?

Well, if you’re like me and the rest of us at Travel Off Path who love to form our own opinions by visiting ourselves rather than listening to the nonsense of talking heads, there’s one misunderstood city I have in mind for you still oozing summer vibes well into the autumn season.

Marseille: This Gritty City Is More Inviting Than You Think

There’s no doubt about it — Marseille is rough around the edges. But hey, so are cinnamon rolls. Once you get into the center, you don’t think about the edges anymore, do ya?

The same goes for Marseille.

I had the pleasure of visiting Marseille last fall. Yes, it’s gritty, edgy, and raw in certain pockets, but the city is used to tourists and largely remains unaffected in terms of crime.

From personal experience, seeing a handful of unsightly hoodie-wearing teens in the dark shadows of parks and alleys at night probably isn’t where you’d want to hang out anyway, so why ruin what’s otherwise an amazing city to visit?

Will you see graffiti-lined streets and pockets of questionable characters out late at night? Likely.

Will you also have some of the best food and wine France has to offer? Even more likely.

Will you be able to enjoy gorgeous golden beaches, secret islands, and the world’s coolest neighborhood? No doubt.

All these experiences were stamped in my mind from my last fall trip, instantly making Marseille one of my truly favorite European cities to visit.

But if I don’t hold enough clout, no hard feelings. However, it was where famed globetrotter Anthony Bourdain said he envisioned retiring before he sadly took his life, so how bad could this often misportrayed city really be?

I, along with other travel experts, promise you it’s a delight to visit as long as you temper expectations.

Don’t Be Afraid To Wander The City’s 111 Districts

Paris doesn’t qualify for a budget destination, and not all aspects of Marseille do either. The truth is that $5 goes a long way on the Metro, which also includes ferry rides away from the city grind, making it a public transit option.

Overall, Marseille has a whopping 111 distinct districts to explore, including the world’s ‘coolest neighborhood‘.

Athens must be ticked off because what would normally be eyesores of graffiti-lined streets are somehow more charming in photo-worthy Notre-Dame-du-Mont, a must for art, food, and buzzing bars extending into open plazas.

That’s a testament to the community of Marseille, who have wrangled their crime-ridden reputation and turned what some might view as off-putting areas into vibrant gathering places.

Marseille is a lot more inviting than you might think. No exaggeration — there are few cities I’ve enjoyed exploring more on foot.

Every turn was a new surprise, whether it was a quirky café, a staggering cathedral, savory seafood, or a hidden cove perfect for a relaxing beach day.

The only time I felt slightly unsafe was at my Airbnb, actually. The electricity went out, forcing all occupants to navigate a dark stairwell at all hours.

Other than that, you can put the safety concerns to bed and enjoy what’s truly a captivating city with cuisine I enjoyed even more than Paris — Bouillabaisse, pizza at Papa Fredo, and wine quite literally anywhere, are all musts.

Who Said Summer Vibes Have To End?

Marseille consistently remains in the 70s until November, allowing you to leave your chilly weather behind and enjoy the plentiful beach days ahead.

The city boasts beautiful shores, but the further outside the city limits you go, the more pristine it gets.

Expect to find hidden coves and islands you’ve never heard of before, away from the always-buzzing Old Town, one of the prettiest urban areas.

Plage de la Pointe Rouge is a good middle ground — not too far away from the city, and yet not too close to feel like you’re another face in the crowd.

Since the weather is so splendid in the coming months, you’ll likely notice a hilltop cathedral overpowering the cityscape — that’s Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, and it’s worth every step it takes to reach.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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