Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
3. LE PANIER AND VIEILLE CHARITE
Wriggling up the hill to the north of the Vieux Port, Le Panier is Marseille's oldest
sector. This is where the Greeks settled and, in subsequent centuries, where the city's
immigrants began their new lives. They still do - the tiny streets are alive with dif-
ferent accents and cultures. The main feature is La Vieille Charité, the 17th-cen-
tury workhouse now transformed into a wonderful cultural centre. It houses the mu-
seums of Mediterranean Archaeology and of African, Oceanic and Native Americ-
an Art. Especially noteworthy is the domed central chapel - Italian Baroque at its
purest.
Google Map
LaVieilleCharité•2ruedelaCharité•Open10am-6pmTue-Sun,Closed1Jan,
1 May, 1 Nov, 25 Dec • DA • Adm
Google Map
4. PALAIS LONGCHAMP
Longchamp is the greatest expression of Marseille's 19th-century “golden age”. What
is essentially a water tower is embellished in palatial Second Empire style. Fountains,
columns and animal sculptures evoke abundance and fertility. The central gallery is
flanked by two ornate wings, home to the Fine Arts and Natural History museums.
Lush gardens stretch behind.
6 blvd de Montricher • Museums: Open 10am-5pm
Tue-Sun, Closed pub hols • Adm (free Sun)
Google Map
View photo
5. MUSEE GROBET-LABADIE
Situated opposite the Palais Longchamp, this museum is set in the former private
mansion of a 19th-century rich, art-loving Marseille family. Its original decor has
been carefully retained, recreating bourgeois life at the peak of the city's prosperity.
If the house itself is elegant and sober, the art collection is wonderfully eclectic. Walls
are decorated with a unique collection of Gobelin and Aubusson tapestries, while the
10 different salons boast an overwhelming abundance of sculpture, paintings, draw-
ings and furniture from the 13th to 19th centuries, and much more besides. All in all,
a discreetly sensual delight.
140 blvd Longchamp • Open 10am-6pm Tue-Sun •
Adm
Google Map
