What's the Weather like in Marseille in October
When thinking about the most popular holiday destinations in Europe, many will choose Paris or Venice or Barcelona, but one of the hidden gems of the continent is Marseille. Not only does the city house numerous attractions and stunning scenery overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, it is also very easy to travel to, with flights to Marseille-Provence airport, high-speed trains to Gare de Marseille-Saint-Charles, and luxury cruises to the Marseilles-Provence Cruise Centre.
Rainfall
Despite quite low rainfall in the previous month, October holds the record for typically being the wettest month of the year in Marseille. Around 70mm in total is normal for the month, which although heavy for the city, is still only moderate compared to many other regions this time of year.
October has 10 days with precipitationnd, therefore, also 21 days, three whole weeks, without precipitation, which definitely puts things into perspective. The probability that you will experience rainfall on any given day increases in the course of the month, from 27% to 33%. The type of rainfall that is observed most often is moderate rain, which is happens on no less than 57% of the days with rainfall. Light rain and thunderstorms may occur as well, respectively observed on 25% and 15% of those days.
Temperature
Temperatures continue to decrease, and visitors will require a jacket for the October evenings. Although the days can be pleasantly warm at 21°C, the evening temperature can drop to around 12°Cot too bad by any means. The overall average temperature is 17°C. The sea temperature drops under 20°C this month, now averaging 19°C, which may be a bit too chilly for most people to brave swimming.
Day Length
The length of the days continues to decrease throughout the month. October 1 is the longest day of the month with 11.42 hours of daylight, October 31 the shortest with 10.18 daylight hours. This implies that each October day is 2.7 minutes shorter than the day before.
Cloud Cover
Cloud cover, on the other hand, increases gradually as the month progresses. It rises from 35% to 43%, which means that October ends with partly cloudy skies. Shorter days and more cloud cover results in fewer daily sunshine hours. This month, there are 6 hours of sunshine per day, a two-hour decrease since September.
To combat the start of autumn and the unpredictable wet weather it may be a good idea to regularly check the local weather forecast!
Marseille Hotels in October
Europe Hotel Marseille
For clean, comfortable, and budget accommodation in October, try the two-star Europe Hotel Marseille. Located close the Old Port, all rooms feature en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, and telephones, and are very affordable. The hotel isn't luxurious by any means, but it has everything a traveller could want, and is situated in one of the most lively areas of the cityiterally 20 metres from the Old Port.
Mercure Marseille Centre Vieux Port
Another recommended place to stay at is the great four-star Mercure Marseille Centre Vieux Port. Situated near the World Trade Centre in the heart of the city, this is a suggested place to stay for business travellers as well as regular tourists. The Old Harbour lies a short stroll away, while public transportation is readily available in the area as well. Facilities are plentiful, including a car park, fitness centre, a bar and free Wi-Fi.
Novotel Marseille Centre Prado
Also centrally located is the Novotel Marseille Centre Prado, a four-star hotel in one of the city's business districts. It lies near several landmarks, such as the Old Port, the Velodrome Stadium and the Conference Centre. Ideal for both leisure trips and business visits, this hotel features meetings rooms, a bar and restaurant, a car park and free Wi-Fi.
Eating and Drinking Out
Les Café des Epices could be considered a "hidden gem" in the touristy Old Port. This smallish eating venue is located on a side street and is a popular meeting place among locals. It's a quirky little place where you can go for either lunch or dinner, or perhaps both!
Although Le Trolleybus sounds like a method of transport around the city, it is actually one of Marseille's most popular nightlife venues. Built amid some old underground vaults, this bar turned club is housed in a stretch of dark tunnel with stone arch ceilings and mood lighting. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays are known as whiskey nights, with a variety of top branded whiskeys available for discounted prices.
Things to Do in Marseille in October
To escape the October rains, head inside at the Musée d'Histoire Naturelle, Natural History Museum in English. This fascinating museum is a strongly recommended place to visit during a typical October rain shower. It has a variety of collections that appeal to both young and old, including dinosaur bones, plants and flowers, minerals, animal remains, and a huge collection of artefacts relevant to Marseille's Old Port. The museum is very inexpensive, costing less than 10 euros, although it's even better value on the first Sunday of every month, when it's free!
People who want to combine culture with shopping can do so easily in Marseille. The city centre is dotted with everything from stores of major brands to locally owned boutiques and small department stores, as well as art galleries. Two pedestrianised streets stand out from the rest: Rue de la Tour and Rue Saint-Ferréol. The Cours d'Estienne d'Orves is also a suggested area to check out if you'd like to shop. The Old Port, being the touristic focal point of the city, is home to many souvenir shops and stores selling local products. Looking for more refined products? Head to the Le Panier district where you can find handicraft shops, galleries, artist's studios, and artisanal food stores selling things such as olive oils, cakes, breads and chocolate.
