We will be arriving at Marignane in mid afternoon and will spend one night at the Ibis. Is it possible to drive or get to Aix some other way in order to have dinner there, returning to the airport afterwards? We will be doing this in early September. Alternatively, if there is a suggestion on where to have dinner close to the airport, that would be helpful.

We've had two excellent dinners at Relais St Victoire in Beaurecueil - which is just east of Aix. It's probably the same distance as Aix, but much easier to get to.

This is from a write-up I did after our first visit:

My best meal on our June ’03 trip was at Relais Ste-Victoire in Beaurecueil, just 10K east of Aix. The restaurant/hotel is in a lovely setting. My courses were:
1. Amuse Bouche of cold asparagus soup with truffle oil & a few mousses floating in the soup.
2. 6 Mediterranean appetizers, consisting of a plate with 6 small cups filled with:
a. Ecrevisse (crayfish) with rouille
b. Andouille sausage with ratatouille
c. Fried cod with brandade (cod & potato mixture) w/ sun dried tomatoes
d. Brandade with olive oil & truffle slivers
e. Lobster mousse with tomato coulis & a asparagus spear - yummie
f. fried chicken liver wrapped with salmon marine (marinated)
3. Loup (Sea Bass) with fleur de Sel & truffles
4. Rosemary sorbet w/ liqueur as a palate cleanser
5. Lamb with 3 sauces – Garlic, Banyuls, & mushroom sauces. With an eggplant gratin
6. Small cheese course
7. Ice cream gateau
8. a large serving bowl with meringues at the end of dinner

Stu, What an incredible dinner you had with so many courses. I admire the detail you included. I will seek out this restaurant.
Elizabeth B

That's a very good recommendation, Stu! We've eaten there too, although only for lunch. I remember the big bowl of meringues!

We've often eaten dinner in Aix, then stayed at the airport before flying out the next day - it's very do-able (driving). Lots of super restaurants there and such a wonderful place to walk around - one of our very favorite places in the world!
Anne

Thank you for your input, Anne. I am encouraged by your comments and we will definitely visit this lovely city. I just couldn't face having dinner in the airport on our first night in France on this trip. Am glad to hear how doable it is to visit and dine at Aix. Thanks again.

I just came back from Provence. If you don't want to drive to Aix, which is perfectly doable for dinner from the airport, you can also take the "navette" - the shuttle bus. It runs every 30 minutes from the airport terminal to Aix (right downtown) from 5:30 in the morning to 11:30 at night. It runs from 4:40 in the morning to 10:40 at night from Aix to the airport. From Monday to Friday there is also a departure from Aix to the airport at 11:25 at night. This is according to the schedule I picked up at the end of April of this year. You buy tickets on the bus and they cost 8 euro a person. It takes 30 minutes to get from the airport to Aix with one stop at the TGV train station in between.

I took this as I was staying at the airport and wanted to go into Aix for the day. Very convenient.

Thanks so much, Yayoye, for information about the navette (shuttle bus) from Marignane to Aix. The schedule and purchase of tickets right on the bus are most convenient. Since we may have jet lag from our trip, the navette sounds like a great idea for our first visit to Aix. Your post is most helpful for what we need when start our trip. Hope you had a great trip to Provence. When is your next one? Elizabeth B

Elizabeth, I think taking the navette to Aix is a really good idea. The shuttle drops off at the "gare routiere" which is just a block from the big fountain at the west end of the beautiful tree-lined Cours Mirabeau. It's a great place for walking, and there are many restaurants on the Cours Mirabeau and on the small streets to the left.

(We just stayed at the Marseille airport Ibis last week, and we ate there at the hotel. But if you have never been to Aix, then yes-- you should definitely take the opportunity to go. The navette makes it very easy.)

Kathy

Kathy, Thanks for your encouragement of taking the navette to Aix - especially since it will get us to the Cours Mirabeau. We will at last see this beautiful and appealing city after three prior trips to Provence. We will enjoy walking in the area and seeking out a restaurant before we commence our trip further north. All the good advice is most helpful and has encouraged us to make the effort. Elizabeth

I had a great trip to Provence but don't know when I will be back.

Just FYI - I stayed at the Best Western at the Marseille airport and ate dinner there the last night which was fine as I had steak and fries with a nice sauce. Got a reasonable rate on the internet.

Enjoy Provence!