A must-see tourist destination in Southeastern France, the Bouches-du-Rhône department is renowned for its exceptional cultural offer. From the metropolises of Aix-en-Provence and Marseille to the cities of Arles, Salon-de-Provence and Martigues, discover a selection of remarkable museums devoted to art, history, fashion, heritage, and natural sciences.
Museums in the Bouches-du-Rhône
Museums in Marseille
The Phocaean city, the oldest in France, honors its past in the Marseille History Museum. Excavations have also unearthed ancient Roman docks, which are now open to the public. The MuCEM, the latest of the main national museums, builds a bridge between past, present and future by focusing on the civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean. The Musée Grobet-Labadié allows visitors to discover the daily life of a 19th century bourgeois family and houses remarkable collections that are a cross between art and history. Lovers of fine arts will go to the Palais Longchamp, while contemporary art lovers will prefer the Cantini Museum. Decorative arts and fashion can be discovered in Parc Borély.
Museums in Aix-en-Provence
The kings of France preferred Aix-en-Provence to Marseille. Indeed, Aix-en-Provence has had a prestigious past, hosting the Parliament of Provence for several centuries. The aristocrats and wealthy bourgeois have also been patrons and favored fine arts. This history can still be found today in the cultural offer of the city. The Granet Museum showcases its collections, paintings, sculptures and archeological finds, while the Pavillon Vendôme has a remarkable graphic collection. Cézanne’s studio allows visitors to immerse themselves in the daily life of the painter Paul Cézanne, whose muse was Sainte-Victoire Mountain.
Arles, between Antiquity and Modernity
An opulent Roman metropolis, the city of Arles has impressive and particularly well-preserved ancient remains, as well as archeological finds that are unique in the world and have been uncovered during archeological excavation campaigns. But the city also projects itself into modernity and gives prominence to photography and fine arts. From l’Arles Antique to the Réattu museum, discover remarkable collections and admire real masterpieces.
Cultural getaways
The Bouches-du-Rhône department is home to many other remarkable museums, close to your place of stay, for fun and educational cultural getaways. Ancient weapons enthusiasts and military history lovers will go to the Château de l’Empéri in Salon-de-Provence, or to Aubagne in the footsteps of the French Foreign Legion, while lovers of archeology and fine arts will make a detour to Martigues, the Provencal Venice.
