Hi!
This May I am planning on spending a month in the South of France to study French (during June, I will study in Paris). I have narrowed down my options to two cities: Nice and Marseille.
I'm an 18-year-old girl and want somewhere that is fun (activities, nightlife) and is very close to beautiful beaches :) Also, I'd like it if it were "student-oriented", meaning that there will be plenty of people my age that I'll be able to meet!
If you have any advice on this decision please let me know!
In Nice, Antibes and Cannes you have a big choice of schools. Beside this along the Côte d'Azur in your time also the Filmfestival in Cannes and the F1 race in Monaco. Marseille can be an option if you find a school and to live for a month in a quiet and sure quarter of the city.
Just my opinion;
I'm a "big city"- boy therefore as there might be more nightlife and activities available I would choose Marseille (out of this two).
There are also some nice beaches on the Friul-Islands
http://www.marseille-tourisme.com/en/discover-marseille/the-essentials/if-castle-and-frioul-islands/
Nice and Monaco; you still can visit them on the weekends very easy by train.
As they both are more international there is also a bigger chance, that you'll find many people who
like to speak with you in English, which is not that great, as you're trying to learn French.
And Nice is as I remember a big spot for French Language Schools, and many students will only learn French in School and outside they speak their native language...I think you'll find less temptation to speak English in Marseille...
Never studied in either,but the assessment above sounds right to me.
I prefer Marseilles as a city.But I'd say Nice is more student friendly.....and is much more popular with language schools and students.And of course it is surrounded by beaches...
Marseille got a bad reputation as one of the most dangerous places in France. It's fine to visit for a couple of days, but not the best place for an 18 year old girl staying for a month.
Marseille has a more "big city" feel and would probably be more of an "exotic" travel experience.
But, as others have said, it's not really ideal for an 18-yr old girl.
You would definitely want some more real life experience to tackle Marseille toute seule.
I would forget Marseille for this century. Three more guys killed this night on the street - all in all just 8 this year!