getting around Provence without a car

I have the good fortune to be spending 4 days in Provence in early May. I am a single 61 year old woman with not robust mobility. I%26#39;ve reserved a hotel in central Marseilles. I need advice and suggestions about getting around and exploring the region as extensively as possible. Thanks in advance for your ideas. ME

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Exploring within Marseille, start with the Petit Train. It%26#39;s an easy way to get an overview of what is available:

http://www.petit-train-marseille.com/

Bus/train schedules and other transportation links may be found here:

http://www.lepilote.com/english.asp

While you can certainly easily visit many places within the city, exploring the region will present some unique difficulties: limited time and access to the train/bus stations.

There is good service to Aix-en-Provence, Cassis, Arles, and Avignon but these types of excursions generally require a great deal of walking.

Those for whom mobility may be an issue may be interested in cars with drivers:

http://www.le-privilege.com/

http://www.ssk.fr/ssk-dreamliner.php

For general information about what to see and do in Marseille, consult:

tourisme.fr/office-de-tourisme/marseille.htm

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Are there local tour bus companies that travel between the towns or offer tours in mini vans or such?

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Behind the Musee des Beaux Arts in Marseille there is a very nice park where French families hang out at weekends. It%26#39;s a great place to lap up the sun and peoplewatch.

You can also get a bus from Marseille to Cassis town centre. Once you are in Cassis itself, it is very good for someone who can%26#39;t walk too far. There are two beaches, and a minitrain that runs from the western end of the port and will take you up to the top of the calanques (cliffs). Lots of very good fish restaurants, nice shops to potter around in and a small park round the town hall, less than a minute%26#39;s walk from the port. Hope someone can advise you re finding the bus stop to Cassis - I did the journey from Cassis to Marseille and took the train back, but I don%26#39;t advise that as Cassis train station is 2 miles from the town. Stick to the bus.

If you can get a direct bus there, I would suggest you visit St Remy which is very beautiful and has a small compact town centre with fountains and nice restaurants.

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