CAR HIRE MARSEILLE PROVENCE AIRPORT (MRS)

How do I collect my hire car at Marseille Airport?

When you land at Marseille Airport, head from the Arrivals hall to our desk. One of our members of staff will process your booking, and then you may proceed to collect your vehicle at the Car Rental Centre.

Can I return a rental car to the airport?

If you've rented a car from a different Avis hub but wish to return it at Marseille Airport, then you must arrange your return prior to the commencement of your rental agreement. If you return your car to Marseille Airport without specifying in your rental contract, a fee will apply.

Do I need winter tyres to drive in France?

No, there is no legal requirement for passenger cars in France to be equipped with winter tyres. However, most of our cars in our Marseille rental hubs will have winter tyres available.

Which side of the road?
In France, please drive on the right side of the road.

Country driving laws

• Mobile phones may only be used with a hands-free device. Do not use headphones or earpieces
• Bus lanes are reserved exclusively for buses, taxis and bicycles

• In towns and rural areas, on minor roads and where there is no clear indication of right of way, it may be prudent to give way to traffic coming from the right (“priorité a droite”)
• It is recommended that drivers use dipped headlights at all times

Speed limits

All speed signs will be in km/h.

For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailer:

• Urban areas: 50 km/h (31 mph)
• 4-lane expressways (rural areas): 110 km/h (68 mph)

• Rural areas: 80 km/h (50 mph)
• Motorways: 130 km/h (80 mph)

Unless indicated by road signs. Be aware of changes to speed limits displayed on road signs due to adverse weather conditions. 

Child safety / Seatbelt laws

• It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
• Children weighing up to 9 kg must travel in a rear-facing car seat, in the back of the car only

• Children aged under 10 and weighing less than 36 kg must be seated in appropriate child restraint

Please note – It is the child’s parent/guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.

This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.

Mild Mediterranean weather and fewer crowds? Marseille is the ideal location for a winter getaway, especially for enjoying scenic road trips. Here are five ways to enjoy Marseille and the surrounding areas during the winter season. 

Take a stroll along Le Vieux-Port 

Explore the old port and its historic harborside, where you can watch the local fishermen sell their catch. The waterfront turns into a dazzling market over the Christmas period, filled with chalets offering handcrafted gifts, decorations, and local delicacies, as well as activities and festive lights. 

Enjoy the festive flavours 

No Christmas in Marseille is complete without the 13 desserts which are a symbol of abundance and sharing, including dried fruits, nougat, dates, and pompe à l’huile. Navettes are also a local speciality – boat-shaped biscuits scented with orange blossom – which you can find in local bakeries and patisseries. In fact, you will discover a whole world of warming treats while walking through the streets of Marseille. 

Soak up the history of Marseille 

Marseille has a whole range of different museums, architecture, and exhibitions to explore, which is great for when the weather turns a little colder. The Vieille Charité is a 17th-century museum which is home to numerous exhibitions throughout the year. La Friche de la Belle de Mai allows you to immerse yourself in contemporary culture, while the Marseille Soap Museum is an interactive venue which teaches you all about the city’s soap making. 

Take a road trip to Cassis 

If you want to go a little further afield then drive from Marseille towards the coastal fishing port of Cassis. Go towards the cliffside of Route des Crêtes to enjoy 360-degree sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea and white limestone cliffs without the summer traffic. Warm up at the end of your visit with a delicious bowl of seafood soup. 

Visit Aix-en-Provence 

Just a 35-minute drive away, head north on the A51 to the historic town of Aix-en-Provence. Winter is a great time to stroll down the gran Cours Mirabeau as it’s lit up for the festive period. You can also browse the upscale boutiques before relaxing in one of the many cafes with a hot beverage.

This port city in the south of France is ideally located for a number of unforgettable road trips. Car hire in Marseille will give you access to a number of picturesque French towns and bustling cities, and you can even make the trip across the Pyrenees into Spain if you have the time.

Avignon

Just over an hour up the A7 from Marseille is this historic Provencal city. Head on over to Place de L’Horloge, the main square, to get a feel for the city. If it’s a nice day, Park Durocher will give you great views of the river.  And don’t forget the famous “pont d’Avignon”, the bridge that features in a popular French children’s nursery rhyme.

Arles

Head to Arles if you want to experience a unique southern European culture that’s notably distinct from the rest of France. It’s the town where Vincent Van Gogh painted many of his most famous works, and it has an ancient Roman amphitheatre, along with numerous other well-preserved buildings from the period.

French Riviera

If you head eastwards from Marseille, you can explore the world-famous Riviera, taking in such glitzy cities as Nice and Cannes, as well as some gorgeous beach resorts.

Marseille Airport is located around 27 km from the town centre, so you can be in the centre of this coastal melting pot within half an hour, if traffic allows.

Once you’re in Marseille, there’s plenty to see. The town’s historic Old Port is one of Europe’s largest harbours, and it’s overlooked by the Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, a Catholic church built in the 19th century atop ancient ruins. There are plenty of impressive restaurants around town, where you can sample the city’s iconic Bouillabaisse seafood dish, amongst other local delicacies. And if you have time, you should check out the famous Opera house. It’s built in the Classical style, and was the most prestigious cultural centre of Marseille until the 1970s.