MuCEM, located within the atmospheric remnants of an old harbor, serves as an active cultural center housing two museums, a cinema, and library.
An exploration of the bustling old port district offers an insight into a culture shaped by North African influences and decorated facades that speak of an artistic legacy.
The Old Port
History buffs, foodies or those simply interested in enjoying Marseille’s gorgeous waterfront should visit the Old Port (Vieux-Port). First established as an ancient Greek trading port Massalia around 600 BC, this area remains at the core of city life to this day with over 3,500 rattling masts mooring in its waters; shoppers fill its streets; festival and market attendees flock here, and terraces filled with visitors enjoying their sunshine experience.
World War II saw German occupation forces cause considerable destruction to Marseille’s Old Port, including many buildings from Ateliers Arnodin’s Pont Transbordeur bridge (pictured), which opened in 1905, being completely demolished by explosions. Rebuilding efforts took longer than planned after World War II but by 2013 (when Marseille was named European Capital of Culture), its restoration had finally taken place and now serves as an active space hosting events such as summer fireworks displays, football matches, celebrations of Olympique de Marseille victories etc.
The Quai de la Porte d’Aix at the southern end of Old Port Aix features restaurants. On its short inland side (Quai de Rive Veux), home is given to “La Criee”, an adaptation from an old fish market building which hosts city’s main theatre “La Criee”. Nearby lies Centre Bourse shopping mall as well as various archaeological museums like Garden of Ruins and Musee des civilisations de l’Europe et de la Mediterrane.
Fort Saint-Jean
Fort Saint-Jean, located atop a rocky headland overlooking Marseille’s Old Port and designated an historic monument by Louis XIV in 1660 on the site of a former Hospitallers commandery, stands as an integral component in Marseille’s history. Constructed using 13th and 15th-century elements taken from its twin Fort St-Nicolas at one end of View Port – and intended as an effective means to quell any potential rebellion against royal rule (which it accomplished twice: 1790 and 1944 respectively) while protecting both city and port from external threats.
Architecturally stunning, this complex includes towers named for King Rene and one that resembles a phallic watchtower; headquarters for Knights Templar; vaulted passageways and barrack buildings of the Foreign Legion; vaulted passageways leading into vaulted passageways for vaulted passageways for passageway traffic and barrack buildings for its soldiers en route to Africa; vaulted passageways with vaulted passageways leading from them, vaulted passageways within them serving vaulted passageways leading into vaulted passageways leading into vaulted passageways leading them there en masse en masse! After it had its military function stopped during Revolution when it became state prison before it became used as military storage facilities prior to being cleared station used as clearing station until 1944 when an accidental explosion caused severe damage.
Since the 1960s, this fortress has been renovated and today serves as home for the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations (MuCEM). Its cavernous lobby area leads down into galleries offering semi-permanent exhibitions on the ground floor while other spaces within the fortress provide additional exhibition space. Furthermore, outside is a promenade and “dry garden” of drought resistant Mediterranean plants to commemorate all of Marseille’s various immigrant backgrounds that helped form this city.
The fortress serves as an essential focal point on an urban and tourist path connecting the historic center to the new J4 district, thanks to a 70 meter footbridge connecting it to Panier district.
Cite Radieuse
Built by Le Corbusier during the 1950s, Cite Radieuse stands as an incredible testament to his revolutionary design. Conceived as an expansive vertical city that would include everything a community might require from apartments and hotels to restaurants, libraries, nurseries and rooftop swimming pools; Le Corbusier earned it the name “House of Crazy.”
Apartments designed by Corbusier were large and spacious with double-aspect windows letting in both natural sunlight and fresh air, creating comfortable yet practical living environments with plenty of storage space and well-considered layouts. His belief was that modern housing should be both functional and beautiful – this belief being evident in his interior designs featuring oak wood and smoked glass elements.
Le Corbusier also proposed an open plan which was both communal and private, featuring bedrooms enclosed by three sides of glass walls to ensure privacy while still allowing natural light into the bedroom and providing views of the sea. Although initially controversial, this idea has since become mainstream worldwide.
Though its exterior may be striking, its interior is equally as impressive. From lobby and public areas to streets and rooftop terraces – each deserves to be explored! Don’t miss this amazing building for its stunning architecture or for relaxing under its warm sun-kissed rooftop terrace terrace!
The Cite Radieuse is an incredible addition to any Marseille itinerary and an intriguing piece of history. Take a guided tour or simply wander through it on your own – either way it will certainly impress.
MuCEM
At the edge of Marseille port is a square building clad with concrete lace, joined by a footbridge to a 12th-century monument: this is Marseille’s latest cultural landmark: the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations (MuCEM). Designed by architects Rudy Ricciotti and Roland Carta as an emblematic structure embodying their vision to connect both shores of the Mediterranean, with two bridges connecting these structures symbolically connecting both shores.
One of the museum’s primary goals is to display the wide diversity of Mediterranean cultures both past and present through major exhibitions featuring semi-permanent collections as well as cultural programs.
MuCEM boasts an expansive collection that showcases Mediterranean cultures and historical periods through objects from antiquity through today, from Greek and Roman sculpture to works by Renaissance artists like Tintoretto and Veronese as well as Islamic art from North Africa and Spain – providing visitors with an in-depth experience of Mediterranean world.
Through exhibitions and cultural programming it organizes, the Museum strives to build bridges between different cultures through exhibitions and programs that span multiple disciplines such as anthropology, history, archaeology and art history – to reveal all facets of Mediterranean culture.
The MuCEM offers you an opportunity to discover the riches of an ancient city, with wide-ranging opening hours that allow for solo or group visits. Queue-free entry is included with your ticket price as well as access to its garden, Fort Saint Jean and store.
Les Terrasses du Port
Les Terrasses du Port is Marseille’s newest shopping center and located along the Grand Port Maritime Quays in its center. A prestigious investment by French group Hammerson who owns eight other malls nationwide; designed by Saguez&Partners who specialize in building shopping centers; with an increasing architectural structure stretching from sea to sky as well as one of Europe’s highest atriums for maximum impact!
Building features 190 shops and restaurants offering services in beauty, health, food, high-tech items and high-end fashion for visitors such as Adidas, Apple and Franck Provost brands. Restaurants provide both fast food as well as gourmet meals to visitors; there’s even an open rooftop terrace where events take place throughout the year!
Even amid criticism from many residents, the mall has brought economic benefits to the city and enhanced relations between port and city, evidenced by a joint city-port charter created and signed by various stakeholders.
If you’re traveling to Marseille, Les Terrasses du Port offers private vacation rentals complete with everything needed for an enjoyable and comfortable stay – Wi-Fi, kitchen amenities and proximity to public transit stops make traveling effortless; some even feature pet-friendly policies! Browse through our collection of private vacation homes near Les Terrasses du Port to find something ideal.