Museum sights in Provence
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Trompe l'Œil Portrait
To peek at Avignon's nine popes in their fashionable garbs of the day, seek out their trompe l'œil portrait on the side of the conseil général (general council) building.
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Centre de la Vieille Charité
In the heart of Le Panier is Centre de la Vieille Charité, built as a charity shelter for the town’s poor. Marseille architect and sculptor Pierre Puget (1620–94), born in the house opposite 10 rue du Petit Puits, designed the stunning arched sienna-stone courtyard. The complex now houses rotating exhibitions and the beautiful Musée d'Archéologie Méditerranéenne and Musée d'Arts Africains, Océaniens & Amérindiens. It's free to enter the grounds and sunny cafe.
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Musée d'Arts Africains, Océaniens & Amérindiens
Initially built as a charity shelter for the town's poor, the stunning arched pink-stone courtyard of the Centre de la Vieille Charité now houses Marseille's beautiful Musée d'Archéologie Méditerranéenne and Musée d'Arts Africains, Océaniens & Amérindiens. The latter houses a diverse and often striking collection, including masks from the Americas, Africa and the Pacific.
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Atelier Paul Cézanne
Cezanne’s final stop was the studio he had built on a piece of land he bought in 1901. Ironically the most visited but the least inspirational of all the Cézanne sights, the Atelier Paul Cézanne doesn’t hold any works by Cézanne but rather recreates his studio. Not all the tools and still-life models (recognise that green glass bottle?) strewn around the single room were his; many were added by the scholar who bought the studio after Cézanne’s death. The tall wooden frame in one corner is not an easel but rather a cherry-picking ladder Cézanne used to paint the studio walls grey. Take bus 1 from La Rotonde (av des Belges) to the Cézanne stop and walk five minutes downhill…
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Musée du Santon
One of Provence’s most enduring, and endearing, Christmas traditions are its santons, plaster-moulded, kiln-fired nativity figures, first created by Marseillais artisan Jean-Louis Lagnel (1764–1822). The tiny museum displays a private collection of 18th- and 19th-century santons. At adjoining ateliers, watch the figures being crafted, or buy them at the boutique.
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Musée Camarguais
Inside an 1812-built sheep shed, the Musée Camarguais is a fantastic introduction to this unique area, covering its history, ecosystems, flora and fauna, with a glimpse into traditional life in the region. From here, a 3.5km nature trail leads to an observation tower, with bird's-eye views. The museum is 10km southwest of Arles on the D570 to Stes-Maries de la Mer.
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Musée d'Archéologie Méditerranéenne
Initially built as a charity shelter for the town's poor, the stunning arched pink-stone courtyard of the Centre de la Vieille Charité now houses Marseille's beautiful Musée d'Archéologie Méditerranéenne and Musée d'Arts Africains, Océaniens & Amérindiens.
reviewed
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Musée de l’Arles et de la Provence Antiques
This museum’s striking, state-of-the-art cobalt-blue building perches on the edge of what used to be the Roman chariot racing track (circus), 1.5km southwest of the tourist office. The rich collection of pagan and Christian art includes stunning mosaics. The museum is also a leading mosaic restoration centre; watch the work in progress.
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Musée du Pont St-Bénézet
At the entrance to the Pont St-Bénézet, via cours Châtelet, is the new Musée du Pont St-Bénézet where you can make your own DVD of the song. Dreamy (if distant) bridge views unfold from the Rocher des Doms, Pont Édouard Daladier and across the river on the Île de la Barthelasse.
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Musée de la Marine et de l'Économie
The colonnaded Chamber of Commerce (also known as the Palais de la Bourse), built between 1854 and 1860, houses a Musée de la Marine et de l'Économie. The museum highlights Marseille's economic ties to the sea through a series of paintings, engravings, models and other exhibits.
reviewed
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Musée Lapidaire
Museum buffs on a budget will appreciate the Musée Lapidaire, with a random but interesting collection of Egyptian, Roman, Etruscan and early Christian pieces. They range from large sections of marble statuary and hieroglyphics to delicate vases and bronze figurines.
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Musée de la Mode
Contemplate contemporary fashion trends at the Musée de la Mode . This stylish space has over 2000 garments and accessories in its permanent collection. Unfortunately, it regularly closes for two or three months at a time to switch exhibitions.
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Musée Paul Arbaud
Musée Paul Arbaud connects you to Aix's literary heritage with displays of books and manuscripts. It also exhibits Provençal faïence (tin-glazed earthenware).
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Musée des Docks Romains
At the Musée des Docks Romains, displays include 1st-century Roman structures; with vast jars that held up to 2000L of wine or oil.
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Galerie d’Art du Conseil Général des Bouches du Rhône
Galérie d'Art du Conseil Général des Bouches du Rhône showcases photography and contemporary art.
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Musée Grobet-Labadié
This intimate museum paints an appealing portrait of elegant 19th-century Marseille with its collections of 13th- to 19th-century paintings, antiques, sculptures and ornate polished wooden floors.
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Museon Arlaten
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