Unusual and Cheap Museums You Can Visit in Marseille
Marseille has some very unusual museums; small, quirky places that investigate one aspect of the local culture, like pétanque or Savon de Marseille (the local soap). It’s a great way to spend an hour or two without spending much.
On the first Sunday of every month, most French museums are free (but check with them beforehand, just in case). Some on this list ask for just a small fee for entrance and you’ll need to book a visit in advance.
1. Pétanque Museum
Museum
Opening hours: 10am to 6pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
2. Pastis Museum
Museum
Opening hours: By prior arrangement. Call the number to book.
3. La Marseillaise Museum
Memorial, Museum
France’s national anthem was created in Marseille, by a soldier wishing to write a little ditty that might stir French nationalism. There’s a little museum that is dedicated to it in Marseille, which you can only visit if you email them beforehand. It has French artefacts and a film to watch.
Opening hours: Tuesdays and Fridays, 10am to 3pm.
23-25 rue Thubaneau, Marseille, France, +33 4 91 55 36 00
4. Soap Museum
Museum
Opening hours: Wednesday afternoons.
5. Santon Museum
Museum, Shop
Opening hours: 10 am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 6.30 pm, Tuesday to Saturday, January to November. In December the museum is also open on Mondays.
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