In Marseille, the sun shines almost all year round, so why lock yourself away? Well, because Marseille’s museums are definitely worth a visit, even when the weather’s fine! Here, art, history and heritage are revealed through fascinating collections and must-see exhibitions. But be warned, it’s not just the classic museums that are causing a stir. In the city of Marseille, you can also dive underwater, explore a cave or see the world upside down – literally! Thrills, laughter and wonder guaranteed. Yes, we love to learn, but always with a healthy dose of joie de vivre. Ready to hone your cultural skills? Here’s our selection of the 10 best museums in Marseille!
The most beautiful museum: MUCEM
It’s impossible to talk about Marseille’s museums without mentioning the MUCEM (less commonly known as the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations)! This architectural gem, with its concrete lacework and seafront location, is a veritable icon of the city. Its panoramic esplanade and footbridges offer a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean, and the good news is that the outside can be visited freely. Inside, it’s all about knowledge, with permanent exhibitions combining anthropology, archaeology, history and contemporary art, not to mention an always captivating temporary programme. But the MUCEM is also a place where people come to stroll, admire the sunset and have a drink on the rooftop. Culture and dolce vita, Marseille style!
- Address: Esplanade J4, 13 002 Marseille
- Official website: https: //www.mucem.org/
Immersive museum: Cosquer Méditerranée
Right next door to the MUCEM, Cosquer Méditerranée takes you on a fascinating journey into the bowels of prehistory. Aboard an exploration module, head for the perfect replica of the Cosquer cave, sunk beneath the waters but brought back to life here with stunning precision. Stalagmites, stalactites, paintings and engravings dating back 30,000 years are revealed before your very eyes, bearing witness to the cave art of the first Homo sapiens. An immersive experience, as scientific as it is magical, complete with an area dedicated to our ancestors. With its mix of adventure and wonder, this is a museum that young and old alike will want to visit! Without doubt one of the best things to do in Marseille.
- Address: Esplanade J4, 13 002 Marseille
- Official website: https: //www.grotte-cosquer.com/
Local museum: Musée d’Histoire de Marseille
Just a stone’s throw from the Old Port, the Musée d’Histoire de Marseille traces 26 centuries of the history of France’s oldest city. Its free permanent collection takes visitors on a journey from the earliest prehistoric settlements to contemporary urban development. There are no dusty display cases here: the museum relies on immersive scenography with augmented reality, 3D reconstructions and sound effects to relive Marseille’s past as if you were there! As for the temporary exhibitions, they explore the city from a variety of angles: sport, music, female figures… A fascinating museum where history comes to life, ideal for seeing Marseille in a different light!
- Address: 2 rue Henri Barbusse, 13 001 Marseille
- Official website: https: //musee-histoire.marseille.fr/
Sacred museum: Musée de Notre-Dame de la Garde
Perched on the summit of the hill of La Garde, Notre-Dame de la Garde keeps watch over Marseille, offering a breathtaking panoramic view. Everyone knows the Good Mother, but her museum is a fascinating insight into her history, from her construction to the present day. Ex-votos, paintings, engravings, sculptures, models, sacred silverware and cult objects retrace the fervour of pilgrims and the attachment of the people of Marseilles to this emblematic site. A place charged with spirituality and emotion, second only to the Velodrome in the city’s list of sacred sites (because, yes, football is sacred here).
- Address: Rue Fort du Sanctuaire, 13 006 Marseille
- Official website: https: //basiliquenotredamedelagarde.com/musee
Fun museum: Natural History Museum of the City of Marseille
Nestled in the magnificent Palais Longchamp, one of the most beautiful water towers in Europe, Marseille’s Natural History Museum is a veritable cabinet of wonders for the curious of all ages. Botany, palaeontology, mineralogy, zoology, human sciences… Here, you can travel through millions of years of natural history. Impressive skeletons, fascinating fossils and unusual species make the eyes of young and old shine. A Musée de France accredited museum, it boasts a wealth of collections and free admission on the first Sunday of every month. A must-see visit for all the family, with plenty to learn and marvel at!
- Address: Palais Longchamp, rue Espérandieu, 13 004 Marseille
- Official website: https: //musees.marseille.fr/museum-dhistoire-naturelle-de-marseille-mhnm-0
Unusual museum: Marseille Museum of Illusion
Get ready to lose your bearings at Marseille’s Musée de l’Illusion! Here, everything is designed to challenge your brain: upside-down rooms, distorting mirrors, trompe-l’œil and visual experiments that will make you doubt reality. Walk on the ceiling, see your reflection bend or disappear, play with impossible perspectives… This playful museum is a veritable playground for young and old alike. A visit that mixes science and laughter, perfect for families or friends. The good news is that losing your head is highly recommended!
- Address: Place Albert Londres, boulevard Jacques Saade, 13 002 Marseille
- Official website: https: //museedelillusion.fr/
Contemporary museum: MAC
The Musée d’Art Contemporain de Marseille, better known as the MAC, is the ideal playground for lovers of daring art. Its permanent collection, which is free of charge, retraces the work of such key currents as New Realism, Support-Surface, Arte Povera, Land Art and the Fluxus movement. Paintings, sculptures, photos, videos… Here, art pushes the boundaries and questions everything, even the viewer. If contemporary art isn’t your thing, don’t worry, the museum grounds offer a breath of fresh air and a great walk. New forms of art are like oysters: you either love them or you hate them… but they’re always worth a try!
- Address: 69 avenue d’Haifa, 13 008 Marseille
- Official website: https: //musees.marseille.fr/musee-dart-contemporain-mac
Children’s Museum : Préau des Accoules
A museum just for kids? Welcome to the Préau des Accoules! A real cultural playground, this place introduces the very young to art and heritage with fun, interactive exhibitions. Archaeology, history, fine arts, African or American culture… Here, the themes are varied and always adapted to curious little ones (from 5 years old). Located in a building steeped in history, this Marseilles museum is as attractive for its exhibitions as it is for its passionate team. It’s a must to awaken the explorer in the youngest visitors… and the grown-ups who come with them!
- Address: 29 montée des Accoules, 13 002 Marseille
- Official website: https: //musees.marseille.fr/preau-des-accoules-musee-des-enfants
Atypical museum: Musée Subaquatique de Marseille
A museum where you have to put on a mask and snorkel? Yes, it exists in Marseille! It’s the city’s Musée Subaquatique. Five metres below the surface, off the Catalans beach, submerged sculptures transform the seabed into a life-size art gallery. Designed with the environment in mind, these works are as much about the beauty of art as they are about preserving marine biodiversity. Accessible by snorkelling, apnea or scuba diving, this unusual museum promises a unique experience, combining artistic contemplation and underwater exploration. Whether on your own or with a guide, this is an exhibition that will make you want to take a deep breath!
- Address: Plage des Catalans, 13 007 Marseille
- Official website: https: //www.musee-subaquatique.com/fr/
Multi-purpose museum: Centre de la Vieille Charité
Last stop for culture: the Centre de la Vieille Charité, an architectural gem nestling in the heart of the Panier district. Within its walls steeped in history, this not-to-be-missed venue houses the Musée d’Arts Africains, Océaniens et Amérindiens (M.A.A.O.A.), the Musée d’Archéologie Méditerranéenne and even a space dedicated to poetry. Add to that temporary exhibitions, screenings and lectures, and you have a veritable melting pot of culture under a splendid vaulted courtyard. Here, every room is a door opening onto another world… or several!
- Address: 2 rue de la Charité, 13 002 Marseille
- Official website: https: //vieille-charite-marseille.com/
