Marseille European Capital of Culture

European Capital of Culture in 2013, Marseille has brought in the best architects to become a modern and dynamic city.

The Old Port was entirely redesigned by Norman Foster’s architecture firm. Making the site pedestrianised has restored it to its former glory in Marseille’s cityscape and given a cool twist to a site that’s been here for 26 centuries. The Old Port won an award at the London Royal Academy of Urbanism’s prestigious City Awards.

Visitors can stroll from the Old Port to MuCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations) and soak up Marseille’s metamorphosis.

The J4 dock used to be for travellers in transit but is now devoted to culture and is home to the majestic collection formed by the 17th century Fort Saint-Jean renovated by Roland Carta, linked by the now famous bridge to MuCEM, a fishnet glass cube designed by architect Rudy RICCIOTTI.

The J4 is also home to the Villa Méditerranée and its bizarre cantilever, the Regards de Provence Museum and Voûtes de la Major which play host to shops and restaurants beneath the watchful eye of the Nouvelle Major Cathedral. 

Just a few minutes away, Terrasses du Port shopping centre provides 2600m² of terraces and walkways along the Mediterranean. All these sites can be hired out for private functions.

The Silo, a former grain silo, has been turned into a 2000-seater concert venue with a cocktail room.  

Amazing buildings designed by the best architects of our time now share the landscape.