Musée d'Histoire de Marseille

About the museum

In the 1960s and 1970s, the construction of the Centre Bourse in the heart of Marseille uncovered Greek, Roman and medieval remains, including parts of the ancient port. These discoveries led to the creation of the museum, which opened in 1983 with a garden of ruins laid out on the site of the ancient port itself.

The museum was entirely renovated by architect Roland Carta and reopened on September 14, 2013, on the occasion of Marseille-Provence 2013, European Capital of Culture. The new presentation seeks to connect the city, its museum and the archaeological site.

The permanent display covers about 3,500 m² and traces nearly twenty-six centuries of the city's history, from the Greek foundation of Massalia to the modern era. The collections comprise tens of thousands of objects and documents, and the museum presents itself as France's first urban history museum.

Among the most remarkable pieces are several ancient shipwrecks found off Marseille, including Greek ships from the 6th century BCE and a Roman ship discovered in 1974 in the Corne du port area, as well as numerous votive stelae and elements of the Sainte-Barbe necropolis.

Highlights

• Garden of the ancient port remains
• Greek shipwrecks from the 6th century BCE
• Roman ship from the Corne du port, discovered in 1974
• Votive stelae of the naiskos
• Chronological route from the founding of Massalia to the present day
• Tactile models and accessibility features (Tourisme et Handicap label)

Founded

1983

Operated by

Ville de Marseille

Visitors per year

approx. 91,829

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission: Paid temporary exhibitions free on the first Sunday of each month and on the day of the public opening

The permanent collections are free to visit. Only paid temporary exhibitions have a fee, depending on their category; they are free on the day of the public opening and on the first Sunday of each month. A temporary exhibition ticket also grants access to the permanent collections. Tickets online at billetterie-musees.marseille.fr or on site by card, cash or check.

Accessibility

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

The museum has held the Tourisme et Handicap label since November 2016. The elevator on Rue Henri Barbusse is currently out of service; step-free access is via the entrance to the Centre Bourse gallery (Tuesday to Saturday) or via the accessible door at the end of the pedestrian path (Sunday). Four tactile models line the route. A mobile listening system with an induction loop is available for loan at the reception and in the auditorium. A tour in French Sign Language takes place once a year. The Centre Bourse car park offers 36 accessible spaces on levels -1 and -3.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The museum holds the Famille Plus label. Workshops for children (for example, mosaic making) and family activities during school holidays are offered, along with visit sheets adapted to each age group, each taking about one hour.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located at the Port antique, near the Vieux-Port.

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