Marseille History Museum

The Museum of History of Marseille, located near the Centre Bourse close to the Vieux-Port, is a fundamental institution for understanding the rich history of the oldest city in France. Inaugurated in 1983 and completely renovated in 2013, the museum offers a journey through 26 centuries of history, from antiquity to the 18th century, with a particular focus on archaeological excavations and artifacts that tell the story of daily life and the evolution of the city. The museum was built around the Jardin des Vestiges, an archaeological site that preserves the remains of the ancient port of Massilia, founded by the Greeks of Phocaea in 600 BC. During the construction works of the Centre Bourse in 1967, numerous artifacts were discovered, including Greek fortifications, funerary enclosures, and parts of the ancient port. These findings transformed the site into a historical monument of about 10,000 square meters, now accessible to the public as an integral part of the museum. The permanent collections of the Museum of History of Marseille cover an area of 3,500 square meters and feature approximately 4,000 objects, including ceramics, mosaics, sculptures, tools, and artifacts spanning a vast time period. The museum narrative unfolds through different thematic sections that explore the various historical periods of Marseille, from the Greek settlement to Roman domination, from the Middle Ages to modern times. One of the most famous pieces in the collection is the wreck of a Roman ship from the 2nd century, considered one of the best-preserved in the world. This extraordinary find allows us to understand the shipbuilding techniques of the time and the importance of maritime trade for the city. In addition to this, the museum also displays a wide range of medieval ceramics, showcasing the skill of local potters and the importance of faience production in Marseille. Another highlight of the museum is the reconstruction of the “Grotte Cosquer,” an underwater cave located near Marseille, famous for its prehistoric cave paintings dating back to around 27,000 years ago. This unique site offers a fascinating glimpse into the earliest traces of human occupation in the region and the artistic practices of our ancient ancestors. An interesting anecdote concerns the discovery of a 5th-century paleochristian church during archaeological excavations. This find provided important information about the origins of Christianity in Western Europe and the production of holy oil. The church, along with other Christian artifacts, is now on display in the museum, testifying to the spread and influence of Christianity in the region.