Musée Cantini

About the museum

The mansion on rue Grignan was built in 1694 by the Compagnie du Cap Nègre, in the centre of Marseille. In 1888 the sculptor and marble worker Jules Cantini bought the building and assembled an important art collection there. On his death in 1916 he bequeathed the building and its collections to the City of Marseille. The museum opened to the public in 1936 and bears the name of its benefactor.

The museum is now devoted to modern and contemporary art. Its collections cover Fauvism, with works by André Derain, Charles Camoin and Émile Othon Friesz; the beginnings of Cubism with Raoul Dufy and Albert Gleizes; and the currents of Purism and the interwar period with Fernand Léger, Amédée Ozenfant and Le Corbusier.

The galleries host a renewed permanent route, titled “Par une langue échappée”, which presents the modern and contemporary collections from May 8, 2026 to April 25, 2027. The museum belongs to the City of Marseille and also holds paid temporary exhibitions.

Highlights

• Fauve paintings by Derain, Camoin and Friesz
• Beginnings of Cubism with Dufy and Gleizes
• Purist works by Léger, Ozenfant and Le Corbusier
• 1694 mansion in the centre of Marseille
• The “Par une langue échappée” route

Founded

1936

Operated by

Ville de Marseille

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission: Temporary exhibitions free on the opening day and on the first Sunday of the month

The permanent collections are free. Temporary exhibitions are charged according to the three price categories used by the museums of Marseille. Guided tour as an extra: €3 for adults, €1.50 for ages 12 to 18, free for under 12s.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The accessible entrance is the main entrance. A reserved disabled parking space is at 37 rue Francis Davso. According to the museum’s accessibility page, the lift to the two floors is currently out of service. Visits in French Sign Language are offered on certain dates.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Family visit-workshops are offered regularly and are announced as free for adults; children aged 5 to 18 pay €4, and children under 5 are free on family activities.

Getting there & parking

Address: 19 rue Grignan, 13006 Marseille.

Amenities & 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