Musée Regards de Provence

Overview

The Musée Regards de Provence occupies a beautifully converted 1949 maritime health station on the waterfront near the MuCEM. It hosts rotating exhibitions of Provençal art and offers a rooftop restaurant with sweeping views across the harbor.

Highlights

• The Building: The former Station Sanitaire Maritime, where arriving passengers were screened for disease, has been elegantly restored with Art Deco details.
• Provençal Art: Exhibitions focus on regional painters, sculptors, and photographers capturing the landscape and light of Provence.
• Rooftop Restaurant: The panoramic terrace restaurant offers one of the best lunch views in Marseille.

History

The Station Sanitaire Maritime was built in 1949 to process immigrants and travelers arriving by sea, replacing a much older quarantine facility. After falling into disuse, it was converted into a museum in 2013 as part of Marseille's European Capital of Culture program.

Visitor Tips

• Lunch Stop: Even without visiting the exhibition, the rooftop restaurant is worth a visit for the harbor views.
• Combine: It sits directly between the MuCEM and Fort Saint-Jean — easy to include in a waterfront walk.
• Duration: 45–60 minutes.