With a comprehensive network of roads, you'll find driving within Marseille and navigating your way to neighbouring towns and cities easy.

As you leave Marseille Airport in your hire car, you'll join the D20, which offers great connections in all directions. Head into the heart of Marseille, by joining the A7 southbound – just over a 25km journey. Going north up the A7 will take you towards central France, passing through Avignon and Lyon, one of the country's major business cities. Toulon is just a short drive out of inner-city Marseille too – just head along the A50 south.

As one of the main Autoroutes in the south of France, you can join the A8 from Marseille. Accessible via the A51 from Aix-en-Provence, or the A50/52 from central Marseille, head east and you'll be greeted by the scenic backdrop of the French Riviera as you head through Cannes and Antibes.

It's worth noting, however, that some of France's major Autoroutes have toll charges – you can find out more details of these online.

Two main roads will take you into the centre of Marseille – the A55 from the north of the city, and the A50 from the east. To navigate your way through the city centre, look out for Boulevard Sakakini which runs from north to south. You can reach the city's port by heading through the Tunnel Prado Carénage.

Large areas of the city centre operate under a one-way system, to help ease congestion and allow for public transport to run smoothly.

There are often changes to the driving laws and regulations in France, so please ensure you familiarise yourself with them before heading out in your hire car from Marseille Airport.

From Marseille Airport, the south of France becomes your oyster. Whether you're visiting for business, or just enjoying a relaxing break, here are a few things to see and do.

Scenic delights

From the idyllic hills of Provence to the views of the Mediterranean coastline, Marseille is surrounded by natural beauty. Explore the Parc national des Calanques – 85km2 of mountainous terrain and breath-taking vistas out onto the sea.

Head inland towards Pertuis and Manosque and discover two hotspots perfect for a rural retreat - Parc Naturel régional du Luberon, a valley of vineyards and serene views and Parc naturel régional du Verdon, famed for its authentic French architecture.

Best for business

As a port city, Marseille thrives in both tourism and commercial trade. Welcoming 2.5 million passengers per year, as well as handling near to 80 million tonnes of trade goods, the port is the busiest in France. If you're visiting for business, the port caters for everything from vessel repairs to handling commercial goods.

A global leader in the finance sector, Lyon is a three hour drive from Marseille. The city has strong connections to the biotech, pharmaceutical and chemical industries too. Saint-Etienne may be on your agenda too, if your business interests are in manufacturing.

The Riviera's glitz and glamour

Marseille's position on France's south coast makes it the ideal location for you to explore one of Europe's most glamorous regions, the French Riviera. Occupying a prime slice of Mediterranean coastline, the Riviera has historically attracted aristocrats but it's a holiday hotspot for all in modern day France and makes for a scenic road trip.

Famed for vacationing celebrities, why not head to Saint-Tropez where you'll be able to enjoy the most glamorous of seaside locations. Relax on the Baie de Pampelonne's beaches, a 5km stretch of beautiful golden sands. Home to the celebrated annual international film festival, Cannes is a must for any film fanatic. Explore this striking coastal metropolis by walking along La Croisette and take in the beauty of the bay.

But for some true Riviera glitz, head for the Principality of Monaco and explore the unrivalled class of Monte Carlo. Sat at the base of the Alps, it's home to countless celebrities and high-end casinos, many of which you'll recognise from their appearance in Hollywood films.

From natural beauty to cultural sophistication, hire a car from Marseille Airport and you'll be able to explore everything the south of France has to offer.