Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Palais de Longchamp
PALACE, PARK
(Longchamp Palace; bd Philippon; ; Longchamp, Cinq Aven-
ues-Longchamp)
The colonnaded Palais de Longchamp and its spectacular fountains were
constructed in the 1860s, in part to disguise a water tower at the terminus of an aqueduct
from the River Durance. The northern wing houses Marseille's oldest museum, the
Musée
des Beaux-Arts
, undergoing renovations at research time and slated to reopen in 2013.
The shaded park is one of the centre's few green spaces, popular with local families.
Musée Grobet-Labadié
( 04 91 62 21 82; 140 bd Longchamp; adult/child €3/2; 11am-6pm Tue-Sun Jun-
Sep, 10am-5pm Tue-Sun Oct-May; Cinq Avenues-Longchamp)
This intimate museum
paints an appealing portrait of elegant 19th-century Marseille with its collections of 13th-
to 19th-century paintings, antiques, sculptures and ornate polished wooden floors.
MUSEUM
La Friche La Belle de Mai
( 04 95 04 95 04;
www.lafriche.org
; 41 rue Jobin; 49 stop Jobin)
The site of a
former sugar-refining plant and subsequent tobacco factory, the theatre, artists' work-
shops, cinema studios, radio stations, multimedia displays, alfresco installation art, skate-
board camps and electro-/world-music parties at La Friche la Belle de Mai are the 'voice'
of contemporary Marseille. It underwent an enormous renovation in 2012. Check its pro-
gram online, view art in the
Galerie de la Friche Belle de Mai
(admission free;
3-7pm Tue-Sat)
or lunch in its stylishly industrial restaurant
Les Grandes Tables de la
Friche
( 04 95 04 95 85;
www.lesgrandestables.com
; 12 rue François Simon; mains
€10;
CULTURAL CENTRE
8.30am-8pm Mon-Fri)
.
L'Unité d'Habitation
(La Cité Radieuse; 04 91 16 78 00; 280 bd Michelet; 83 or 21 stop Le Corbusier)
Visionary International-Style architect Le Corbusier redefined urban living in 1952 with
the completion of his vertical 337-apartment 'garden city' also known as La Cité Radieuse
(Radiant City). Along its darkened hallways, primary-coloured downlights create a glow-
ing tunnel leading to a mini-supermarket, an architectural bookshop,
Hôtel Le Corbusier
( 04 91 16 78 00;
www.hotellecorbusier.com
;
280 bd Michelet; r €70, apt €105-139;
83 or 21 stop Le Corbusier)
, and a rooftop terrace.
Anyone can stroll around, or lunch at
Le Ventre de l'Architecte
( 04 91 16 78 23;
www.leventredelarchitecte.com
;
lunch menus €30, dinner menus €60-70; lunch & din-
ner Tue-Sat)
. The aptly named Architect's Tummy takes a contemporary cut on cuisine
HISTORIC BUILDING
