Cantini Museum (Musée Cantini)
Located in Marseilles, the Cantini Museum (Musée Cantini) specializes in modern art and focuses specifically on paintings from 1900-1950. It has been open since 1936 in a building built in 1694 for the Compagnie du Cap Nègre. It belonged to a string of notorious men before Jules Cantini bequeathed it down to the city of Marseilles in 1916, requesting that it become a museum of decorative arts.
Today, the museum holds one of France’s largest public collections of art created during the first half of the 20th century. A highly diverse selection of artists is represented, including works by those who practice pointillism, fauvism, and cubism. The museum also has an important selection of drawings.
Practical Info
Musée Cantini is located on rue Grignan. It is accessible by metro line 1 (Station Estrangin / Préfecture) or by car – there There is an indoor parking lot two streets south on Boulevard Paul Peytral. Access to the permanent collection is €5 (full fare) or €3 (reduced fare). Access is free for children at all times, and for everyone on the first Sunday of the month. Guided tours are available Saturdays at 2pm. That same afternoon, a speaker is available to answer guests’ questions at 5pm, 5:15pm and 5:30pm. Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3:30pm, a guided tour and activity for families is available (reservation recommended). Le Petit Salon, a space is also open for children accompanied by adults Tuesday to Sunday from 10am until noon.
Trip ideas
- Place aux Huiles
- Maritime and Commercial Museum of Marseille (Musée de la Marine et de l'Economie de Marseille)
- Chateau d'If
- La Canebiere
- Marseille History Museum (Musee d'Histoire)
- Old Port of Marseille (Vieux Port)
- Fontaine Castellane
- Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica (La Bonne Mère)
- Roman Docks Museum (Musée des Docks Romains)
- Abbey of St. Victor (Abbaye Saint-Victor)
- Museum of African, Oceanic and American-Indian Art (MAAOA)
- Museum of Mediterranean Archaeology (Musée d’Archéologie Méditerranéenne)
- Centre de la Vieille Charite
- Fort Saint-Jean
- Marseille Cathedral (Cathédrale La Major)