Château Borély – Musée des Arts décoratifs, de la Faïence et de la Mode
18th-century Provençal bastide in the Parc Borély in Marseille, housing the city’s collections of decorative arts, ceramics and fashion.
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About the museum
The Château Borély is a Provençal bastide built between 1767 and 1778 for the Borély family, Marseille merchants, who used it as their summer residence. The sober façade contrasts with the richness of the interior decoration, notably that by the painter Louis Chays. The City of Marseille acquired the estate in the mid-19th century; the Parc Borély was laid out by the engineer Adolphe Alphand and opened in 1864. The château has been listed as a historic monument since 1936.
For a long time it housed the archaeology museum, which moved in 1989 to the Vieille Charité. After a long restoration begun in 2009, the château became, in 2013, on the occasion of Marseille-Provence European Capital of Culture, the museum of Decorative Arts, Ceramics and Fashion. The original decor enters into dialogue with contemporary museography.
The collections present ceramics, furniture, glass, tapestries, objets d’art and design from the 18th century to the present day. A fashion gallery, whose display is regularly renewed, shows models by great couturiers and emerging designers.
Highlights
- Marseille faience and other ceramics
- Fashion gallery with models by couturiers and emerging designers
- Furniture, glass, tapestries and design from the 18th century to today
- 18th-century Provençal bastide with original decor
- Parc Borély around the château
Permanent exhibitions
- Collection permanente du musée Borély – Ceramics, furniture, glass, tapestries, objets d’art, design and fashion from the 18th century to the present, presented in the château’s salons.
- Galerie de la mode – Regularly renewed display of models by renowned couturiers and emerging designers.
- Founded
- 2013
- Operated by
- Ville de Marseille
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Reduced | –For temporary exhibitions: groups of 15 people or more, people over 65, students aged 18 to 26 from outside the European Union, members of the City of Marseille’s social action committee, artists |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for under-18s, including for temporary exhibitions. |
| Seniors | –Reduced rate for temporary exhibitions from age 65. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Admission always free for people with disabilities and their companion, on proof. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree for students aged 18 to 26 from the European Union. |
| Groups (15+ people) | –Booking required for groups of 15 people or more, at least 30 days in advance; paying groups book through the Marseille tourist office. Free for school groups, leisure centres and social or medical institutions. |
| Guided tour, adult (in addition to admission) | €3 |
| Guided tour, child aged 12 to 18 | €1.50Free for under-12s. |
| Family visit or workshop, child aged 5 to 18 (no entry fee) | €4Reduced rate of €1.50 for certain beneficiaries on proof; free for under-5s; adults: activity free of charge. |
Free admission: Paid temporary exhibitions are free on their opening day and on every first Sunday of the month.
Access to the permanent collections is free. Temporary exhibitions are paid in three categories: €6 (reduced €3), €9 (reduced €5) or €12 (reduced €8); the ticket includes the permanent collection. Online tickets on the Marseille museums website.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The château’s accessibility is temporarily restricted: the lift is being repaired, and only the ground floor is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. The accessible entrance is the main entrance; on request, a drop-off point (dépose-minute) can be arranged in the courtyard (04 91 55 33 60). One reserved parking space is located at 166 avenue Clot Bey. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are admitted into the galleries.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Stroller-friendly
The Marseille city museums hold the Famille Plus label. Workshops for young audiences during the holidays, and free activity booklets at reception for children aged 7 and over. Pushchairs and front baby carriers are admitted into the galleries; pushchairs are lent against identification.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Rond-Point du Prado
Metro line 2, Rond-Point du Prado station, then bus 44 (Clot-Bey Paul stop) to arrive via avenue Clot Bey, or bus 19 or 83 (Parc Borély stop) for the park’s main entrance on the Prado side, about a 10-minute walk from the château.
By car
Paid parking
Parc Borély car park, 48 avenue Clot Bey, open daily from 7:00 to 21:00, with a preferential rate for visitors to the museum or the botanical garden.
- Accessible parking
Self-service bike station no. 8145 nearby.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours of the permanent collections and exhibitions (in addition to the entry ticket). Large bags, suitcases and bottles are not admitted; bags are checked on entry. |
Museums nearby
Musée d'Art contemporain de Marseille
Musée de Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde
Musée Cantini
Musée des docks romains
Musée d'Histoire de Marseille
Mémorial des déportations
All 21 museums in Marseille All museums in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur