Promenade Robert Laffont

A museum between sea, history and modernity

The MuCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations) opened on June 7, 2013, when Marseille was named European Capital of Culture.

Located on the Promenade Robert Laffont, also known as the J4 Esplanade, at the entrance of the Old Port, the MuCEM symbolizes Marseille’s renewal of its waterfront and a link to ancient heritage (Fort Saint-Jean). It is dedicated to exploring Mediterranean civilizations through their cultural exchanges, beliefs, and traditions.

A site of three spaces connected

The MuCEM consists of three main sites:

• the modern J4 building, open to the sea;
• the Fort Saint-Jean, a 17th-century monument integrated into the museum path;
• and the Conservation and Resources Center, located in the Belle-de-Mai district.

The sites are connected by several elevated walkways:

• a 115-meter bridge connects the J4 building to Fort Saint-Jean;
• a 70-meter bridge leads from the Fort to the Panier district, linking the old city to the museum;
• and another connects to the Esplanade de la Tourette, near Saint-Laurent Church, offering panoramic views of the port and the sea.

These bridges make the MuCEM a living public space, both a museum and a scenic walkway.

An architecture of light and concrete

Designed by Rudy Ricciotti and Roland Carta, the J4 building is a masterpiece of contemporary architecture. Its exterior frame façade acts like a Mediterranean lace, filtering sunlight and casting intricate shadows across the floors and walls.

Suspended over the water, the building seems to float between sea and sky. Inside, exhibitions unfold across three levels:

• the Gallery of the Mediterranean, exploring ancient civilizations;
• major temporary exhibitions;
• and an auditorium, educational areas, bookshop, and rooftop restaurant.

Panoramic terrace and accessibility

Visitors can freely walk around the building and reach the third floor, which houses the panoramic terrace.

Accessible by stairs or elevator, it offers a breathtaking view of the sea, the Old Port, Fort Saint-Jean, and the city of Marseille.

The terrace is free of charge and open during museum hours, even without a ticket for the exhibitions.

Fort Saint-Jean: a living heritage

Connected to the J4 by a suspended bridge, Fort Saint-Jean is an integral part of the MuCEM experience. Built under Louis XIV, it once defended the harbor entrance.

Today, its courtyards and ramparts host temporary exhibitions, art installations, and the Mediterranean Gardens, serene green spaces overlooking the sea.

From its walls, the bridge to the Esplanade de la Tourette provides one of the most stunning views of Marseille and the harbor.

Collections and museum content

The MuCEM’s collections include more than 250,000 objects, 350,000 photographs, 200,000 posters, and extensive archives about Mediterranean societies, from prehistory to the modern era.

Many of these pieces come from the former National Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions in Paris.

Exhibitions address themes such as religion, migration, gastronomy, music, and cultural identity, combining anthropology, history, and contemporary art to tell the Mediterranean’s shared story.

A cultural and scenic landmark

More than just a museum, the MuCEM is a place to experience and explore — to enjoy its exhibitions, its bridges, or simply the sunset over the Mediterranean.

Surrounded by the Old Port, Fort Saint-Jean, the Panier district, and the Esplanade de la Tourette, it embodies the living connection between land and sea, heritage and innovation, Marseille and the Mediterranean world.