In Marseille, the European Heritage Days open the doors to secret, unusual and normally inaccessible places. From forgotten monuments to enduring traditional crafts, discover Love Spots’ top picks.
Vieille Major > An Exceptional Opening
Closed to the public since the late 1980s, the Vieille Major is exceptionally opening its doors. A rare opportunity to step inside one of the most mysterious monuments in the La Major district.
Where? 12 place de la Major, Marseille 2nd arrondissement (entrance to the right of the cathedral).
When? Saturday from 10am to 12.30pm and from 1.30pm to 6pm (tours every 30 minutes; last admission at 5pm).
Booking: required via Marseille Experience.
Chantier Borg > Marseille’s Last Wooden Boatbuilder
A guided tour of Marseille’s last shipyard specialising in the construction and restoration of wooden boats.
Where? 25 anse du Pharo, Marseille 7th arrondissement.
When? Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm (last admission at 5.30pm).
Booking: not required.
COMAR Marseille > Behind the Scenes of the French Navy
Step inside a normally inaccessible military site and explore the fortifications that defended Marseille’s harbour from the Second Empire to the end of the Second World War, including the admiral’s office.
Where? 28 rue des Catalans, Marseille 7th arrondissement.
When? Sunday from 9am to 5pm (last admission at 4pm).
Booking: required via Eventbrite / COMAR Marseille.
Church of the Dormition > A Byzantine Interlude
Discover the architecture and remarkable icons of this 19th-century Greek Orthodox church.
Where? 23 rue de la Grande-Armée, Marseille 1st arrondissement.
When? Saturday from 10am to 12 noon and from 2pm to 5pm (last admission at 4.30pm).
Booking: not required.
Regional Council Headquarters > A Rooftop Amphitheatre
Love it or hate it, the striking building designed by Claude Parent remains relatively unknown. Explore the inner workings of one of the region’s seats of power, admire its stained-glass windows and contemporary exhibition, then discover its open-air amphitheatre overlooking the Porte d’Aix.
Where? 27 place Jules-Guesde, Marseille 2nd arrondissement.
When? 19 and 20 September, from 9am to 5pm.
Booking: not required.
Pavillon de Partage des Eaux > A Forgotten Landmark Brought Back to Life
The Pavillon de Partage des Eaux is being revived as part of Pépites Patrimoniales, an initiative launched by the City of Marseille. The Objectif Tore association, which is leading its transformation, invites visitors to discover this remarkable piece of the city’s hydraulic heritage.
Where? 4 avenue des Chutes-Lavie, Marseille 4th arrondissement.
When? Saturday and Sunday, continuously from 10am to 7pm.
Booking: not required.
Saint-Pierre Cemetery > Marseille’s Famous Figures, Remembered Forever
A guided walk through Saint-Pierre Cemetery to discover its remarkable graves and the prominent figures who have shaped Marseille’s history.
Where? 380 rue Saint-Pierre, Marseille 5th arrondissement.
When? Saturday at 2.30pm / Sunday at 10.30am and 2.30pm.
Meeting point: outside the cemetery’s main entrance.
Booking: required via Marseille Experience.
Villa Santa Lucia > Marseille’s Secret Rockwork Garden
Explore the remarkable 19th-century rockwork architecture and decorations of Villa Santa Lucia’s garden, surrounded by a rich variety of plants.
Where? Steps at 8 montée de la Napoule, at the corner of 60 traverse Nicolas, Marseille 7th arrondissement.
When? Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am to 4.30pm (last admission at 4.15pm).
Booking: not required.
Tours Labourdette > Panoramic Views over Belsunce
Residents of the iconic Tours Labourdette are exceptionally opening their doors and selected apartments for a guided tour of this remarkable example of living architectural heritage.
Where? Caretaker’s lodge, Tower B, 16 square Belsunce, Marseille 1st arrondissement.
When? Saturday from 2pm to 5.30pm.
Booking: not required.
L’Évêché > Behind the Scenes at Marseille Police Headquarters
Exceptionally open to visitors, this former bishop’s palace—now Marseille Police Headquarters—reveals its history and interior spaces during a guided tour.
Where? 12 place de la Major, Marseille 2nd arrondissement (meet at the side gates on the cathedral forecourt).
When? Saturday at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm.
Booking: required via Marseille Experience.
Please note: proof of identity is required.
CIRVA > Behind the Scenes of Contemporary Glassmaking
The International Centre for Research on Glass and Visual Arts opens its workshop, offering an insight into glassmaking techniques and its creative collaborations with artists.
Where? 62 rue de la Joliette, Marseille 2nd arrondissement.
When? Saturday from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm (last admissions at 12 noon and 5pm).
Booking: required at mediation@cirva.fr.
Savonnerie du Fer à Cheval > The Secrets of Marseille Soap
Visit Marseille’s oldest working soap factory and discover the history of authentic Marseille soap and its centuries-old production process.
Where? 50 boulevard Anatole-de-la-Forge, Marseille 14th arrondissement.
When? Saturday from 10am to 4pm (last admission at 3.30pm).
Booking: not required.
Maison Castel > An Art Deco Gem
Discover architect Gaston Castel’s home and studio, a remarkable example of Marseille’s Art Deco architecture. The building is listed as a Historic Monument and bears the 20th-Century Heritage label.
Where? 2 impasse Croix-de-Régnier, Marseille 4th arrondissement.
When? Saturday from 2.30pm to 6pm.
Booking: required at alban.gerardin@club-internet.fr (limited availability).
Académie de Marseille > 300 Years of History
To celebrate its 300th anniversary, the Marseille Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts is offering tours of its library, archives, historic Academicians’ Hall and museum space.
Where? 40 rue Adolphe-Thiers, Marseille 1st arrondissement.
When? Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 5pm.
Booking: required at c.groliere@hotmail.fr.
Banque de France > Unlock the Vault!
A rare opportunity to step inside the Banque de France’s Marseille branch and discover its history, responsibilities, professions and most iconic spaces.
Where? 1 place Estrangin-Pastré, Marseille 6th arrondissement.
When? Saturday from 10am to 6pm (last admission at 5.30pm).
Booking: not required.
Please note: proof of identity is required.
By the editorial team
