Musée des Beaux-Arts de Marseille

About the museum

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Marseille is one of the first provincial museums created by the State in 1801. It drew on works seized during the Revolution, which were first inventoried and then displayed from 1804 in the former chapel of a convent. The collection was later enriched through purchases, gifts and deposits.

The Palais Longchamp was built to celebrate the arrival of the waters of the Durance in Marseille and was inaugurated in 1869. The museum has occupied its left wing since the early 1870s. The building is protected as a historic monument. The museum underwent a long restoration campaign between 2005 and 2013.

The collections bring together paintings, sculptures and drawings from the 16th to the 19th century. They include works by Pierre Puget, born in Marseille, by Rubens and by Daumier, as well as Provençal painters such as Monticelli, Ziem and Loubon. Notable pieces also include Puvis de Chavannes's large panels on the history of the city and Rodin's sculpture “La Méditation”.

Highlights

• Sculptures and paintings by Pierre Puget
• “La Chasse au sanglier” by Rubens
• “Don Quichotte et Sancho Pança” by Daumier
• Provençal painters: Monticelli, Ziem, Loubon
• Puvis de Chavannes panels on the history of Marseille
• Palais Longchamp, a 19th-century building with a monumental fountain

Founded

1801

Operated by

Ville de Marseille

Visitors per year

approx. 52,564 (2019)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission: Temporary exhibitions are 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 Marseille museums. Guided tour as an extra: €3 for adults, €1.50 for ages 12 to 18, free for under-12s.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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

Access is via Boulevard Montricher, where there is a ramp; an elevator is located at the foot of the staircase along the left façade of the palace. Free reserved parking on the street, subject to availability. Guided tours in French Sign Language are offered on certain dates. Visitors are advised to call the museum before visiting.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Family tours (“S'a-musée au Beaux-Arts”), early-discovery tours for toddlers and free walks for young audiences, all by reservation. Family activities: €4 for children aged 5 to 18, free for adults and children under 5 (admission to temporary exhibitions extra).

Getting there & parking

Self-service bike station nearby.

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