10 museums to discover in Marseille with ZOU !
Immerse yourself in Marseille’s cultural heritage
Whether it’s art, history, science or heritage, Marseille boasts a wealth of museums to visit all year round. Travel to Marseille-Saint-Charles station by train or ZOU ! bus:
- From Aix-en-Provence: travel to Marseille on lines 65, 67, 68 and 69
- From Riez/Gréoux-les-Bains: travel on line 67
- From Digne-les-Bains/Barcelonnette: take line 68
- From Gap/Sisteron: take the ZOU ! Express line 69
- From Manosque: lines 65 and 68 will take you to Marseille-Saint-Charles.
Then use the RTM transport network to reach the various sites.
1. The Mucem: discover Mediterranean civilisations
Located on the J4 esplanade, the Mucem hosts exhibitions dedicated to Mediterranean societies. Its openwork concrete architecture, designed by Rudy Ricciotti and Roland Carta, and its footbridge leading to Fort Saint-Jean are all part of the visitor experience. Nearby, Cosquer Méditerranée features a reconstruction of the submerged prehistoric cave.
How to get there from Marseille-Saint-Charles? Take the M2 metro to “Joliette”, then walk to the Mucem.
2. The Musée des Beaux-Arts: explore the collections at the Palais Longchamp
Housed in the left wing of the Palais Longchamp, the Musée des Beaux-Arts displays paintings and sculptures from the 16th to the 19th century, including works by Puget, Rubens and Courbet. A visit also offers the chance to discover the architecture and gardens of this 19th-century monument.
How do you get there from Marseille-Saint-Charles? Take the M1 metro to “Cinq-Avenues–Longchamp”, then walk to the museum.
3. The Muséum d'histoire naturelle: explore the living world
In the right-hand wing of the Palais Longchamp, the Muséum d'histoire naturelle houses fossils, skeletons and stuffed animals. Its collections offer a chance to learn about the evolution of species and biodiversity during a family visit.
How to get there from Marseille-Saint-Charles? Take the M1 metro to Cinq-Avenues–Longchamp or the T2 tram to Longchamp, then walk to the Palais Longchamp.
4. The Musée Regards de Provence: discover Mediterranean art
Housed in the former maritime health centre, near the Mucem, the Musée Regards de Provence displays paintings, sculptures and photographs dedicated to Marseille, Provence and the Mediterranean. It hosts temporary exhibitions and offers a tour dedicated to the history of the building.
How to get there from Marseille-Saint-Charles? Take the M2 metro to “Joliette”, then walk for about 10 minutes to Allée Regards de Provence.
Good to know: enjoy a reduced admission price on presentation of a same-day regional train ticket to Marseille, subject to the terms and conditions of the current offer.
5. The Musée Cantini: discover modern art
Housed in a 17th-century townhouse, the Musée Cantini exhibits paintings, sculptures and photographs relating to modern art. Its collections include works by André Derain, Fernand Léger and Le Corbusier.
How to get there from Marseille-Saint-Charles? Take the M1 metro to “Estrangin–Préfecture”, then walk to 19 Rue Grignan.
6. Château Borély: explore fashion and the decorative arts
In the heart of Parc Borély, the Musée des Arts décoratifs, de la Faïence et de la Mode is housed in an 18th-century country house. It displays costumes, fashion accessories, ceramics and decorative objects from various periods.
How do you get there from Marseille-Saint-Charles? Take the M2 metro to “Rond-Point du Prado”, then continue by RTM bus to 132, Avenue Clot Bey.
7. The MAAOA: discover the arts of the world
At the Centre de la Vieille Charité, in the Panier district, the Musée d'Arts Africains, Océaniens et Amérindiens displays masks, sculptures, textiles and ritual objects. Its collections reflect a variety of artistic and cultural traditions.
How do you get there from Marseille-Saint-Charles? Take the M2 metro to “Joliette”, then walk to the Centre de la Vieille Charité at 2 Rue de la Charité.
8. The Musée du Savon de Marseille: discover local craftsmanship
Located in the Vieux-Port, the Musée du Savon de Marseille at La Licorne soap factory traces the history of soap and the techniques used to make it. Demonstrations and customisation workshops round off the visit.
How to get there from Marseille-Saint-Charles? Take the M1 metro to “Vieux-Port”, then walk to the museum at 25, quai de Rive Neuve.
9. The Museum of Illusions: experience optical illusions
The Museum of Illusions offers an interactive exhibition exploring visual perception. Mirrors, perspective illusions and installations help visitors understand various optical phenomena.
How to get there from Marseille-Saint-Charles? Take the M2 metro to “Joliette”, then walk to Place Albert-Londres on Boulevard Jacques-Saadé.
10. The Musée d'Archéologie Méditerranéenne: take a journey back to antiquity
Located on the first floor of the Centre de la Vieille Charité, the Musée d'Archéologie Méditerranéenne houses collections dedicated to ancient Egypt and the civilisations of the Mediterranean basin. Statues, funerary objects and archaeological remains offer an insight into these ancient cultures. Entry to the permanent collections is free.
How do you get there from Marseille-Saint-Charles? Take the M2 metro to “Joliette”, then walk to the Centre de la Vieille Charité at 2, rue de la Charité.
To visit Marseille’s museums, check the ZOU ! bus and train timetables to Marseille-Saint-Charles and plan your connections on the RTM network.