The Longchamp Palace is one of the most famous sights in Marseille and should not be missed.
The building hosts two major museums and the adjacent park is one of the most beautiful in all of France.
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A celebration of water
The Longchamp Palace began construction in 1839 (it wasn't completed until 30 years later) to celebrate the bringing of fresh water from the Durance River to Marseille via the artificial Canal de Marseille, over 80km long.
This is one of the reasons why a monumental and beautiful fountain has been built in front of the main façade.
Longchamp Gardens
The extensive park around the palace was opened in 1869 and is built in the style of an ornate French garden.
Within the narrow centre of Marseille, the gardens around the palace are one of the few large green spaces, making the site very popular not only with tourists but also with locals.
The park is open every day from 7:00 am. In summer it closes at 20:00 and in winter at 18:30.
Entrance to the gardens is free.
Museums in the palace
While the central building of the palace, called the Château d'eau serves as a memorial to the bringing of drinking water to the city, the two wings of the building are dedicated to museums.
The Museum of Fine Arts
The left wing of the palace is set aside for this museum. It exhibits paintings, drawings and sculptures, mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries.
It is the oldest museum in Marseille.
- Entrance - free
- Open - Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Official website: musees.marseille.fr/musee-des-beaux-arts
Museum of Natural History
The right wing of the palace houses a museum depicting the history of natural evolution with many very valuable artefacts and natural curiosities.
With its collections, this museum is one of the leading institutions in all of France.
- Entrance - free
- Open - Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 18:00
- Official website: musees.marseille.fr/museum-dhistoire-naturelle
How to get there
Longchamp Palace is located in the eastern part of the city centre and is easily accessible by public transport.
There is a metro station of line 1 "Cinq Avenues Longchamp" at the southern entrance to the gardens, about 5 minutes walk from the palace.
Directly in front of the palace you can use the tram stop of line 2 called "Longchamp".
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