Marseille’s museums, from the Mucem to the Cosquer cave
Worth knowing: the permanent collections of the City’s museums are free. Between the Mucem facing the sea, the replica of the Cosquer cave and the municipal museums, there’s plenty to do when the mistral is blowing too hard for the beach.
Mucem
The lace-like concrete cube at the entrance to the Vieux-Port, linked to Fort Saint-Jean by a footbridge over the water. Its subject is the civilisations of Europe and the Mediterranean, told through changing exhibitions. Even without a ticket, the outdoor spaces and the fort’s gardens are free to enter. Allow half a day, sunset included if you can manage it.
7 promenade Robert Laffont, 13002 Marseille
Coming up here: Musées suspendus, anticipatoires et à-venir (12 to 13 November), Le petit séminaire (until 18 April), Populaire ? (10 November to 31 December)
Cosquer Méditerranée
The real Cosquer cave, decorated tens of thousands of years ago, opens 37 metres below the sea, in the calanques. Its life-size replica is visited aboard small pods that glide through the half-light: hand stencils, horses, bison, seals and great auks, painted or engraved. About an hour and a half. Children come out amazed.
Promenade Robert Laffont, 13002 Marseille
Coming up here: Musées suspendus, anticipatoires et à-venir (12 to 13 November), Le petit séminaire (until 18 April), Populaire ? (10 November to 31 December)
Centre de la Vieille Charité
At the top of the Panier district, a 17th-century former almshouse with three storeys of galleries around a chapel with an oval dome designed by Pierre Puget. It houses the museum of Mediterranean archaeology, with a fine Egyptian collection, and the museum of African, Oceanian and Amerindian arts. Two hours for both, plus time to wander in the courtyard.
2 rue de la Charité, 13002 Marseille
Coming up here: Visite sur la pause déjeuner "Dormir comme le soleil - Adrien Vescovi" (12 November to 17 December), Dormir comme le soleil (10 November to 10 January), Visites commentées autour des collections - Les samedis au MAAOA (10 November to 26 December)
Musée Cantini
In a 17th-century mansion a stone’s throw from the Préfecture, modern and contemporary art: Fauves, Cubists, Surrealists, with a special place for artists who passed through Marseille. A museum on a human scale, easily seen in an hour or two.
19 rue Grignan, 13006 Marseille
Coming up here: Rencontre avec Ariella Aïsha Azoulay (Saturday 14 Nov), Visite commentée au Musée Cantini - découverte des collections en LSF (Saturday 14 Nov, 3 pm), Concert LyricOpéra: Le Baroque sans frontières (Sunday 29 Nov, 5 pm)
Château Borély
An 18th-century residence at the far end of the Parc Borély, a short walk from the Prado beaches. The museum of decorative arts, earthenware and fashion brings together ceramics, furniture, glass, design and clothing in period salons. An hour’s visit, to pair with a walk in the park.
132 avenue Clot Bey, 13008 Marseille
Muséum d’histoire naturelle
Marseille’s natural history museum fills the right wing of the Palais Longchamp, the grand monument built to celebrate the arrival of water from the Durance. Stuffed animals, fossils, minerals and the wildlife of Provence: enough to keep children busy for a good hour. Then head into the park, just behind. Metro 1, Cinq-Avenues-Longchamp.
Palais Longchamp, boulevard Philippon, 13004 Marseille
Coming up here: Défi Dino Dessins (until 11 April), Animation contée : "Le premier automne de Simon le hérisson" (10 to 28 November), Collection permanente du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Marseille - "Terre d’évolution" (10 November to 31 December)
Musée d’Art Contemporain [mac]
Near the Prado beaches, around a thousand works made after 1960: Nouveau Réalisme, Figuration narrative, Arte Povera, Fluxus, Supports/Surfaces. César and Arman, both sons of the region, get star billing. On your way out, César’s giant thumb, Le Pouce, rises from the roundabout next door: ideal for a photo. An hour is enough.
69 avenue de Haïfa, 13008 Marseille
Coming up here: AFRICA - Louisa Babari (10 November to 3 January), Visite en famille autour de l'exposition Louisa Babari - [mac] (10 November to 30 December), Voix Publiques - Louisa Babari (10 November to 3 January)
Updated 10 November 2026.