Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations (MuCEM)

Museum in Marseille

Mucem-Villa-de-la-Mediterannee-Marseille — CC BY-SA 2.0 / Sébastien Bertrand

The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations (Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée), located in Marseille, opened its doors on June 7, 2013, coinciding with the city’s designation as the European Capital of Culture for that year. This prestigious institution was honored with the Council of Europe Museum Prize in 2015 for its commitment to showcasing the rich tapestry of European and Mediterranean interactions.

Positioned strategically at the entrance of the harbor on reclaimed land, the museum lies adjacent to the historic 17th-century Fort Saint-Jean and the former port terminal, J4. The modern structure of the museum and the ancient fort are connected by a 130-meter-long elevated footbridge, integrating old and new. Another footbridge extends to the Esplanade de la Tourette near the historic Panier quarter.

The architectural design by Rudy Ricciotti and Roland Carta emphasizes “stone, water, and wind,” featuring a striking cube-like structure enveloped in a latticework facade made of fiber-reinforced concrete. The museum spans 15,000 square meters and offers dynamic spaces over two levels, including an underground auditorium that seats 400.

Inside, the ground floor is dedicated to the permanent collection and includes a bookshop, while the top terrace hosts a restaurant with sweeping views over Marseille’s bay, the Corniche, and Prado. In 2022, the museum hosted a special exhibition on Emir Abdelkader, exploring the profound historical and memorial impacts of this significant Mediterranean figure. Visitors to the museum can expect a comprehensive experience that explores deep cultural narratives through interdisciplinary displays and special exhibitions.

The Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations (MuCEM) appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Marseille!

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!