Marseille is a city full of art and culture and has many wonders to share. With its 26 centuries of history, it combines tradition and modernity.
The city is deeply marked by its past and is constantly digging up the remains of all the cities that have been built on top of each other over the centuries. It takes the visitor on a journey that begins with its Greek and Roman origins and leads us past the medieval religious foundations, the 16th century fortifications, the rich homes of the 17th and 18th centuries and the many prestigious buildings erected in the 19th century and right up to modern times and the great architectural achievements of the 21st century.
Over the centuries Marseille has preserved its traditions and unique lifestyle. Take a walk down the legendary Canebière, stroll around the Old Harbour with its fish market and take a ride on the famous ferry-boats. As the capital of soap-making and the home of the world-famous santons (Christmas crib figures representing well-known figures in Provencal life).
Marseille holds festivals all year round, such as the boat-shaped biscuits known as navettes eaten at Candlemas, the Carnival, the Garlic fair, the feast of Saint-Eloi, waterjousting at l'Estaque, the Kite-flying Festival and the Santon fair.
Real lovers of popular tradition will be enthralled by the Musée du Terroir Marseillais de Château-Gombert (Marseille Museum of Folk Culture) at Château-Gombert. In fact Marseille has no less than 21 museums covering every period of history from Antiquity to the present day, and from archaeology to motor bikes, fine arts and Marseille traditions.
These museums are in historic buildings, such as the Vieille Charité, a former 17th century hospice and an architectural masterpiece by Pierre Puget. The site contains a number of collections, including the Egyptian Antiquities collection (the 2nd most important in France after the Louvre collection). This is also the case for the Fine Arts Museum and the Natural History Museum in the Palais Longchamp, and the Porcelain Museum in a “bastide” in the middle of the Parc Pastré.
Marseille also has a number of site museums, such as the History Museum and its “Jardin des Vestiges” on the Corne du Port Antique, and the Docks Museum on the site of the ancient warehouses.
The city is deeply marked by its past and is constantly digging up the remains of all the cities that have been built on top of each other over the centuries. It takes the visitor on a journey that begins with its Greek and Roman origins and leads us past the medieval religious foundations, the 16th century fortifications, the rich homes of the 17th and 18th centuries and the many prestigious buildings erected in the 19th century and right up to modern times and the great architectural achievements of the 21st century.
