Overview: Provence
| Article Index |
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| Provence: an overview |
| Attractions Around Marseille |
| Attractions beyond Marseille |
| More Places of Interest |
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Attractions Around Marseille
- Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde
Crowning a hilltop south of the old port, the basilica is a wonder of 19th century neo-Byzantine design with its massive dome, bell tower, and embellishments of coloured marble, mosaics, and murals. The basilica is at the highest point in the city and provides panoramic views. - Centre de la Vieille Charité
A magnificent 18th century stone building, which has been used as a poorhouse and soldiers' rest home, now serves as the palatial setting for two museums. The Musée d'Archéologie Méditerranéenne features a notable collection of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artifacts, while the Musée d'Arts Africain, Océanien, et Amérindien has a fascinating collection of ritual artifacts. - Chateau d'If
This fortress prison on an offshore island was made famous by the author Alexandre Dumas, who used it as the setting for his classical book The Count of Monte Cristo. In real life, the prison dungeons incarcerated hundreds of political prisoners over the centuries. Regularly scheduled ferries leave the Vieux Port for guided tours. - Musée Cantini
Devoted to 20th century art, the museum includes works by Cubist artists and Paul Signac's shimmering painting View of the Port of Marseille. - Musée d'Art Contemporain
This large new museum features a collection of artworks produced during the mid-20th century onwards. - Musée de la Mode
With a collection of more than 2,000 clothing and accessory items, the museum explores trends in French fashion over the past three decades. - Musée des Docks Romains
This museum on the site of an ancient Roman dockside warehouse features exhibits on the city's 2,600 year old history as a mercantile port. - Musée d'Histoire de Marseille
The city's long history as an important port is traced at this museum, which includes the remains of a merchant vessel dating from the 3rd century AD., Roman mosaics, and other items. - Musée du Vieux Marseille - The museum, housed in an elegant Louis XIV mansion, traces the history of the city during the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Palais Longchamp - Built during the 1860s to disguise a water tower, the two wings of the colonnaded palace house two museums. The Musée des Beaux-Arts features paintings from the 15th to 19th century, while the Musée d'Histoire Naturelle is devoted to flora and fauna of the region.
