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Marseille National Museum. Picture By Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Â鶹APP.

Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Marseille History Museum

The Marseille History Museum (French: Musée d’Histoire de Marseille) is the local historical and archaeological museum of Marseille in France.

When opened in 1983, it became one of the most significant museums for urban history in France, dedicated to exhibiting the major archaeological finds discovered after the site was excavated in 1967. At the same time, the property was redeveloped commercially and the Centre Bourse shopping arcade was constructed.

The museum building is entered from within the center, and opens out onto the ” Jardin des Vestiges”.An outdoor garden containing stabilized archaeological remains; includes classical ramparts, port buildings, and a necropolis.

Let us look at some of the intriguing facts about the Museum;

1. The site’s construction was undertaken in 1967

The construction of the Center Bourse was undertaken in 1967 on land in the district behind the Bourse, the old buildings which had been destroyed from 1912 to 1937 and which had been left as they were.

During the earthworks for the construction of the shopping center, many remains of the Greek, Roman, and medieval ages were discovered.

Their importance was then a surprise although the existence of the famous wall of Cranes could suggest the discovery of other remains.

Gérin Ricard specifies in the book Promenades archeologists published in 1925 that the Greek origin of this wall had been supported by members of the Archaeological Commission as early as 1916.

2. The archaeologist and anthropologist Alain Nicolas participates in its foundation

Alain Nicola. Picture courtesy of Aladinicolas – Own work

The creation of a Marseilles history museum, therefore, seems essential. The archaeologist and anthropologist Alain Nicolas participates in its foundation.

It was opened in 1983. Some of the discoveries are kept on site, the ancient port has been converted into the Jardin des Vestiges.

The museum then includes a temporary exhibition hall for events on various themes relating to the history of Marseille and a permanent exhibition hall that highlights the various remains discovered.

A library specializing in history, archeology, and town planning is created and open to the public.

3. The history museum was completely renovated by architect Roland Carta

Closed for several years, the history museum was completely renovated by architect Roland Carta and reopened on September 14, 2013, during Marseille Provence 2013,  European Capital of Culture.

The new architecture aims to recreate “an intimate link between the city, its museum, and the archaeological site” of the ancient Port. A new museography created by the architect scenographer  Adeline Rispal weaves links between the port and commercial history of the site and the powerful architecture of the Bourse shopping center.

The museum presents the history of Marseilles in thirteen parts or sequences covering a more or less long period.

An enhanced digital tour of the historical axis of Marseille, designed by Alain Dupuy (InnoVision), is also offered between the History Museum and the new MuCEM.

4. The museum presently contains permanent displays exhibiting the history of Marseille up to the 18th century

Displays exhibiting the history of Marseille. By Houss 2020. Wikimedia

Installed in the Center Bourse, near the Old Port, the Marseille History Museum houses the site of the Jardin des Vestiges, a permanent exhibition of 3,500 m2, a temporary exhibition space, a documentation center, and an auditorium, making it the most important urban history museum in France. 

The museum presently contains permanent displays exhibiting the history of Marseille up to the 18th century.

Highlights include some of the finds from the site itself, including, most famously, the hull of a ship of the 2nd century (claimed to be the best-preserved vessel of this period in the world); the prehistory of the region around the latter city, the Ligures and the  Phocaeans, and the development through the  Ancient Greek and  Roman periods of the port of Massilia.

5. The museum put in place numerous multimedia tools 

Installed Multimedia tools in the Museum. Picture By Houss 2020.  Wikimedia

 The site of the antique port as well as a permanent exposition, but also a space for temporary expositions, a documentation center, and an auditorium.

To discover these 26 centuries of history, the museum put in place numerous multimedia tools to allow visitors to dive into the deep of the sea-front city’s history.

An app was launched to discover certain locations and monuments of the city as they were during the Antiquity and the Middle Ages, thanks to your smartphone or tablet.

The technology of augmented reality allows you to be completely immersed while enjoying accurate reconstruction and having access to numerous historical information.

6. The Museum holds some archaeological remains

Archaeological Tools in the Museum. By Houss 2020. Wikimedia

You will be able to admire the biggest flotilla of ancient ships in the world. Furthermore, the ‘Malaval’ church dating back to the 5th century and discoveries during an archaeological search permitted us to better understand the start of Christianity in eastern Europe and to reconstruct the making of holy oil.

The Cosquer cave testifies to human occupation in Marseille way before its founding in 600 J.C. Thousands of paintings and engravings decorate that cave inhabited more than 27000 years ago.

7.  The Museum offers the public a playful and interactive approach

The Marseille History Museum offers the public a playful and interactive approach. Reconstructions, models, and digital media allow visitors to immerse themselves in the different periods they discover.

The work of historians and archeologists is highlighted by resurrected historical or romantic characters such as Pytheas, the Greek explorer, or Edmond Dantès, the famous Count of Monte Cristo.

Escales de l’Histoire (Stopovers in History) will particularly appeal to the youngest visitors: these experimental modules should help them to immerse themselves in a playful way in the stories that are offered.

8. The Museum gives visitors a choice of two entrances to the museum

Visitors now have a choice of two entrances to the museum. One giving onto the upper reception area and museum shop from the main shopping center gallery, the other in the lower reception – ticket counter area reached from the shopping center pedestrian access route linked to Rue Henri-Barbusse to the south of the site.

This second garden level hall, connected to the first by the staircase and lift, gives access to the archaeological garden. The entrances to the permanent exhibition rooms, temporary exhibition rooms, and the auditorium.

This unlikely cohabitation between a museum facility and a shopping center represents a tremendous opportunity for the museum. The reason is it will draw in new visitors given its greater visibility from the shopping center.

9. The pedestrian route has been renovated

The pedestrian access route positioned on the existing urban level (CoursBelsunce, Bourse shopping center) has been renovated and incorporated into the museum.

It has become the main access and overlooks the archaeological garden, much like a wharf raised over the water and serving the various port functions.

From the inside, the new access route façade seems to place the garden in a display case, allowing its mysteries to be better seen and understood.

10. The Museum contains vacation rentals 

Discover a selection of 5,000 vacation rentals in Marseille History Museum, Marseille that are perfect for your trip.

Whether you’re traveling with friends, family, or even pets, Vrbo vacation homes have the best amenities for hanging out with the people that matter most, including private pools and swimming pools.

Prices start at $45 per night, and houses and villas are popular options for a stay at Marseille History Museum. Either way, you’ll find a rental for everyone’s needs.

Opening hours

MONDAY

TUESDAY

10:00 – 17:00

WEDNESDAY

10:00 – 17:00

THURSDAY

10:00 – 17:00

FRIDAY

10:00 – 17:00

SATURDAY

10:00 – 17:00

SUNDAY

10:00 – 17:00

Admission

ADULTS

4 EUR

DISABLED

Free

SENIORS

Free

Address: 2 Rue Henri Barbusse, 13001 Marseille