From MuCem to the Old Port

Between Marseille's new architectural symbol and the Vieux-Port, follow us on a trip through 2,600 years of the city's history. Beyond the MuCEM, this walk presents a compendium of the second half of 20th-century architecture, which was marked by a period of post-war reconstruction.



parcours MuCEM / vieux port Musée des civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée Rowing Club Opération de la Tourette L'immeuble façade du Vieux-Port La maison Diamantée Extension de l'Hotel de Ville de Marseille La résidence du Vieux-Port Réaménagement du vieux-Port
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le MUCEM le MUCEM le MUCEM le MUCEM

MuCEM, Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations

The architectural symbol of Marseille, City of Culture

Here stands a vertical, mineral Kasbah, draped in elegant black concrete lace. A stupendous construction harbouring a veritable Daedalus, it was the first National Museum to be built outside of Paris. Dedicated to the civilisations of the Mediterranean, it speaks of a wealth of cultures, of diversity and of generosity – the latter a result of the wide-open public space, a gift of multiple sensorial experiences. A deambulatory ramp wraps around the cube, where visitors can hop in and out of the building in the shadow of the mashrabiyas, which recall the Sea’s shimmering waves. Through a 20-meter skywalk hung between the rooftop terrace and the Saint Laurent church’s plaza, guests can take in the space between two distinct worlds. The circular path encourages perambulation and meditative voyage. Between concrete and sea, the Museum impresses in equal parts design and setting, harmonising the spectacular and the sensible with brio. The visible yet discreet use of high-tech high-performance fibre concrete was a point of pride during construction, as were the two skywalks (135 and 69 long), which are the simplest and most symbolic expressions of architect’s Rudy Ricciotti (who can easily be imagined listening to the Clash’s “Rock the Casbah” on repeat during drafting) provocative yet enchanting architecture. Finally, the Saint-Jean Fort, renovated and reopened to the public on the occasion of the Museum’s creation, is complemented by a migration-themed garden designed by the APS Agency’s landscape architects.
Architect :
Rudy Ricciotti - Rolland Carta
Year : 2013
Type : museum
Address :
Esplanade J4, 13002 Marseille.
Géolocalisation google 43.297292,5.361493