A jewel of 17th century French classicism, the Centre de la Vieille Charité houses the Museum of Mediterranean Archaeology (MAM), the International Poetry Centre of Marseille (CiPM) and a cinema.

The monumental and rigorous lines of the Vieille Charité, on three superimposed levels, alternate spectacularly with the baroque-inspired chapel that adorns its courtyard. One of the most exceptional monuments in Marseille, it combines Roman inspirations reminiscent of Francesco Borromini and a majestic porch, executed during the Second Empire by the architect
Blanchet. Its design and the majesty of its interior spaces have left their mark on the minds of artists to this day. Le Corbusier admired it at the turn of the 1940s, when he himself was working on the construction of the Cite Radieuse. This dialogue between past and present continues today.

As an exhibition space devoted to the presentation of monumental works by some of the most important contemporary artists on the international scene, including Sophie Calle, Christian Boltanski, Erwin Wurm and Paola Pivi during the period 2018-2021, the chapel inspires the most innovative creators. A rich programme, open to the most diverse currents of contemporary creation, makes it one of the major venues for the exhibition of contemporary art in the South of France and around the Mediterranean.

A jewel of 17th century French classicism, the Centre de la Vieille Charité houses the Museum of Mediterranean Archaeology (MAM), the International Poetry Centre of Marseille (CiPM) and a cinema.

The monumental and rigorous lines of the Vieille Charité, on three superimposed levels, alternate spectacularly with the baroque-inspired chapel that adorns its courtyard. One of the most exceptional monuments in Marseille, it combines Roman inspirations reminiscent of Francesco Borromini and a majestic porch, executed during the Second Empire by the architect
Blanchet. Its design and the majesty of its interior spaces have left their mark on the minds of artists to this day. Le Corbusier admired it at the turn of the 1940s, when he himself was working on the construction of the Cite Radieuse. This dialogue between past and present continues today.

As an exhibition space devoted to the presentation of monumental works by some of the most important contemporary artists on the international scene, including Sophie Calle, Christian Boltanski, Erwin Wurm and Paola Pivi during the period 2018-2021, the chapel inspires the most innovative creators. A rich programme, open to the most diverse currents of contemporary creation, makes it one of the major venues for the exhibition of contemporary art in the South of France and around the Mediterranean.

Programme

BAYA – Grande Viole entre deux bouquets - 1966 -  Musées de Marseille -  Cantini
BAYA – Grande Viole entre deux bouquets - 1966 - Musées de Marseille - Cantini

Baya, an Algerian heroine of modern art

The Centre de la Vieille Charité presents the first major monographic exhibition devoted to the Algerian artist Fatma Haddad Mahieddine, internationally known under the pseudonym Baya. Admired by André Breton, Aimé Maeght and Albert Camus since the early 1940s, Baya contributed fully to the development of modernity on both sides of the Mediterranean. Benefiting from loans from the Cnap, the Picasso Museum, the Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac Museum, the exhibition returns to the whole of its research, in close dialogue with works of Matisse, Picasso, Braque, Denis Martinez and a set of objects from the Algerian heritage that have richly nourished the colorful, musical and energetic universe of Baya.

Access

Center de la Vieille Charité
2 rue de la Charité, 13002 Marseille
+33 (0)4 91 14 58 80 or 46
musees.marseille.fr

Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 6pm.
Closed on Mondays, except for Easter and Pentecost Mondays.
Closed on the following days: January 1, May 1, November 1 and 11 and December 25.

Locate other art venues in the vicinity on the map.

Discover our address book

CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERIES

Double V Gallery : The trendy contemporary art gallery in Marseille. (Marseille)
Galerie Béa-Ba : A hub for contemporary painting. (Marseille)

CULTURE & HERITAGE

Friche La Belle de mai : An arts and culture factory and a living place. (Marseille)
Coco Velten : A place for working and encounters with a collaborative cultural programme. (Marseille)
Fotokino : Exhibitions, screenings, workshops and conferences. (Marseille)

TO DISCOVER

Lucy Luce : the workshop-boutique of a jewelry designer and organic sculptures. (Marseille)
JoggingJogging : concept et fashion store. (Marseille)

BOAT TRIP

Le Don du Vent : Boat rental and private boat services. (Marseille)

PLACES TO STAY

Les Bords de Mer : Mini-refuge, maxi-vue : 19 bedrooms facing the big blue. (Marseille)
Hôtel Le Ryad : Well located at the top of la Canebière in the city center. (Marseille)
La Résidence du Vieux Port : 4-star hotel with a retro decor, inspired by Le Corbusier and Pouillon. (Marseille)
Tuba Club : A restyled former diving club in the Goudes district. 5 bedrooms and a restaurant with a breathtaking view of the Calanques. (Marseille)

PLACES TO EAT

Sépia : Seasonal cooking. Covered terrace and view of the city. (Marseille)
La Parenthèse : Terrace with tapas to share in a quiet alley of La Vieille Chapelle district. (Marseille)
Chez Yassine : Tunisian halal specialties. A must-go of Eastern cuisine in the Noailles district. (Marseille)
Yima: A family Eastern canteen in the Noailles district. (Marseille)
Toïa : For the ceviche lovers, a tasty cuisine made with fresh and seasonal products. (Marseille)
La cantine de Lynn : A delicious small restaurant, home cooking and a welcoming atmosphere. (Marseille)

WINE BARS & GROCERY

Les Buvards : An excellent selection of natural wines and healthy products in this natural wine bar pioneer in Marseille. (Marseille)
Épicerie L’Idéal : Fresh goat cheese, Camargue lamb, an excellent selection of products from the Mediterranean Basin to take away and meals to eat in. (Marseille)
Maison Geney : Canteen, delicatessen and tearoom with homemade products, a simple and generous cooking in the Panier district. (Marseille)