Old Charity Center, Cultural complex in Panier district, France
The Old Charity Center, also known as the Vieille Charité, is a museum complex in the Panier district of Marseille, built around a large open courtyard surrounded by three levels of arcaded galleries. The building houses several institutions focused on archaeology and art from Africa, Oceania, and the Americas.
The building was ordered by Louis XIV in 1670 as a shelter for the poor and homeless of Marseille, with architect Pierre Puget overseeing the work. It served as a poorhouse for centuries before being converted into a cultural center in the 20th century.
The collections on display come from Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, and visitors can see everyday objects alongside ceremonial pieces. Walking around the courtyard gives a sense of how each gallery connects to the others through the open layout.
The center is open Tuesday through Sunday, so most days of the week work for a visit. The courtyard acts as a natural meeting point and makes it easy to find your way around the different gallery levels without a map.
The chapel at the center of the courtyard has an oval dome built from pink and white stone quarried at Couronne, a small coastal site near Marseille. This makes it one of the few examples of baroque style in a city where that style never widely took hold.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
