Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations

The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations is a museum in the harbor district of Marseille with terraces, exhibition halls, and a distinctive lattice façade of dark concrete. The main building rises directly at the waterfront and connects via two bridges to the historic Fort Saint-Jean, which houses gardens and additional spaces.

The institution was created for 2013, when Marseille became European Capital of Culture, and replaced an older collection that had been kept in Paris until then. The architect Rudy Ricciotti designed the new building on a former harbor site that had remained undeveloped until that point.

The location at the old harbor basin makes the building a meeting point between city and sea, where visitors cross elevated walkways between two separate areas. The interior displays collections on agriculture, crafts, and religion around the Mediterranean, with objects from different periods placed side by side.

The entrance is located at the Esplanade du J4, from where visitors can reach the galleries and then the bridges to the fort. The stairs and ramps are well signposted, although some outdoor areas may be closed depending on weather conditions.

The lattice shell was cast from fiber concrete, a material that allows paper-thin panels while resisting salt air and sun exposure. This technique makes it possible to combine openings and solid surfaces in a single cast piece, so that light falls on floors and walls inside in changing patterns.

Location: Marseille

Inception: June 1, 2013

Architects: Rudy Ricciotti

Official opening: June 7, 2013

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Fee: Yes

Made from material: béton brut

Address: Promenade Robert Laffont

Opening Hours: May-June Monday-Sunday 10:00-19:00; November-April Monday-Sunday 10:00-18:00; July-August 10:00-20:00; Tuesday off;

Phone: +33484351300

Email: reservation@mucem.org

Website: https://mucem.org

GPS coordinates: 43.29694,5.36114

Latest update: December 12, 2025 05:15