must-visit in MarseilleSquare & Landmark

Le Palais Longchamp

📍 France, Marseille, Palais Longchamp

1 photos

4.3/ 5.0

★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location: France, Marseille
Category: Square & Landmark
Duration: 1–1.5 hours
Opening Hours: Park ~8:00–19:00 (museum hours vary · reference)
Address: France, Marseille, Palais Longchamp
Coordinates: 43.3042, 5.3946

Introduction

The Palais Longchamp is a magnificent and beautiful monumental building in Marseille, a palace-like structure of grand colonnades, waterfall features and fountain sculptures—one of Marseille's most splendid landmarks, and a glory monument commemorating a great project that benefited the city. The Palais Longchamp was completed in the 19th century; its building has a special meaning—to commemorate the completion of a great water project that brought water from the Durance River in Provence into Marseille, solving the city's long-standing water shortage, the Marseillais built this magnificent monumental building to show the grace of water. The palace is majestic and beautiful: its main body is a grand colonnade spreading in an arc; at the center of the colonnade is a grand commemorative water feature—on tiered steps and pools are magnificent fountains, waterfalls and fine sculpture groups (centered on allegorical statues of rivers and abundance), with flowing water and vivid sculptures, grand and gorgeous, one of Marseille's most classic, photogenic architectural scenes. The two wings of the palace are the Musée des Beaux-Arts (with rich paintings and sculptures) and the Natural History Museum; behind the building is a spacious, pleasant park. Strolling before the Palais Longchamp, admiring this magnificent palace-like building and the spectacular waterfall fountain, visiting the two-wing museums, you feel Marseille's splendor and glory. Explore Marseille, tour the majestic Palais Longchamp, and enjoy the beauty of this monument to water—an unmissable sight in Marseille.

✨ Highlights

Beautiful Monument

A magnificent monumental building commemorating the water project into the city.

Colonnade Water Feature

A grand water feature at the center of the arc colonnade, with fountains, waterfalls and sculptures.

Wing Museums

The two wings are the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Natural History Museum.

Spacious Park

Behind the building is a spacious pleasant park for a stroll.

🛈 Practical Info

→Park：The park and exterior are free; museum entry extra.

→Museums：The two-wing museums have varying hours; may be closed Tuesdays.

→Transport：Take the metro, convenient.

→Timing：Daytime light is good; the waterfall fountain photographs better.

→Sun Protection：The square is open; bring sun protection and water in summer.

→Opening Hours：Park ~8:00–19:00 (museum hours vary · reference)

→Transportation：Metro (Longchamp / Cinq Avenues station)

💡 Tips

• Tour the majestic Palais Longchamp and enjoy the beauty of this monument to water.

• Built to commemorate the project bringing Provence river water into Marseille.

• The arc colonnade's fountain, waterfall and sculpture group are spectacular, most photogenic.

• The two wings are the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Natural History Museum; entry extra.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Le Palais Longchamp?

Park ~8:00–19:00 (museum hours vary · reference)

Any practical tips for visiting Le Palais Longchamp?

Tour the majestic Palais Longchamp and enjoy the beauty of this monument to water. Built to commemorate the project bringing Provence river water into Marseille.