Musée d'archéologie méditerranéenne

About the museum

The Musée d'archéologie méditerranéenne (MAM) is a museum of the City of Marseille. It occupies the second floor of the Centre de la Vieille Charité, an architectural ensemble listed as a monument historique in 1951, which also houses the Musée d'Arts africains, océaniens et amérindiens, a screening room and research institutions.

The museum is organised into two main departments: Egyptian antiquities and classical antiquities. The Egyptian collection is the most important in France after the Louvre’s; its core came from Dr Clot-Bey (1793–1868), whose collection the City of Marseille acquired before enriching it through gifts and purchases. The classical antiquities cover the Near East, Cyprus, Crete and Greece, southern Italy, Etruria and Rome.

The route, reworked in 2019, offers a journey of nearly six thousand years around the Mediterranean. Spaces devoted to ancient techniques, such as writing, glass or copper alloys, punctuate the visit and help explain the skills of ancient craftspeople. A specialist library in Mediterranean and regional archaeology can be consulted by appointment.

Highlights

• Second-largest collection of Egyptian antiquities in France
• Funerary stele of farewell (dexiosis), Siana cup and Panathenaic amphora
• Marseille sacrificial tariff and Kasa stelae
• Trail on ancient techniques (writing, glass, alloys)
• Permanent collections with free admission

Permanent exhibition

• Collection permanente du Musée d'Archéologie Méditerranéenne – A journey of about six thousand years, from the Near East and Egypt to Greece, Etruria and Rome, with focuses on the techniques of ancient craftspeople.

Operated by

Ville de Marseille

Visitors per year

approx. 206,281 (2019)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

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

Permanent collections are free. Free admission for under-18s, as well as for school groups and leisure centres. Temporary exhibitions are paid, except on their opening day and on the first Sunday of the month.

Accessibility

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

The main entrance is accessible and a lift serves the second floor. Drop-off is possible in front of the building; reception staff are trained for visitors with disabilities. One guided tour per month in French Sign Language (information: museearcheologie@marseille.fr). Adapted mediation for visual and intellectual disabilities is possible on contact with the museum team.

Kids & families

The museum is labelled “Famille plus” by the Marseille tourist office. Free admission for under-18s and school groups.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the second floor of the Centre de la Vieille Charité, 2 rue de la Charité.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Café Olla in the Centre de la Vieille Charité (open Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 to 18:00). Wi-Fi and a shop are noted by the Marseille tourist office. Specialist library by appointment.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit