Journées européennes du patrimoine Marseille 2021

European Heritage Days 2021

18 Sept. 2021 > 19 Sept. 2021

For this 38th edition, around the theme “Heritage for all”, more than 150 thematic visits, sites, heritage walks, exhibitions, concerts, workshops, and screenings are proposed   as well as numerous guided tours organised by the Metropolitan Office of Tourism and Congresses of Marseille. All the areas and districts of the city are involved in this weekend’s celebration of culture and everything is accessible free of charge.*(* unless otherwise stated)

Published on 18 August 2021

Planned visits of the “Savonnerie du Serail” (Soap Factory of the Serail) and the “Bataillon des Marins Pompiers de Marseille” (Firefighters) are cancelled. 

Discover Marseille by night

Preamble to the European Heritage Days- Friday 17 September

Take advantage of a night-time double-decker bus tour to discover Marseille in a different light, at nightfall ( transport  cost €10 per person). The” Notre-Dame de la Garde” Basilica will be exceptionally open this Friday evening as a prelude to the European Heritage Days.

Exceptional openings

Sales houses, castles, educational innovation villages…Discover for the first time these public or private places, sources of curiosity, usually closed to the public.

  • The Commercial Court (Tribunal de Commerce)

    In collaboration with the Commercial Court of Marseille and its teams, discover the Commercial Court, an annex of the Law Courts, labelled as 20th century heritage ( duration : 1 hour). Courtroom reconstruction based on real events are  scheduled over the weekend.

  • Audéoud barracks

    Discover the barracks during a guided tour of the Alleys of Remembrance “Allées du Souvenir”, a commemorative area of the First World War ( duration:30min).

  • Saint-Victor Abbay

    Visit this confidential place, exceptionally open to the public ( duration:1h30)

  • The Residence of the "Parc du Roy d'Espagne"

    In the heart of the pine forest, discover this residence built by the architects : G. Gillet et L.Olmeta, A.Figarella, C.Lestrade and labelled as a 20th century heritage. (duration: 2hours).

  • Saint-Lazare Marseille Espérance Church

    Located in the 3rd district of Marseille, the church will be exceptionally open to the public for free visits.

  • The Pautrier / SNCF site

    Discover the TER train storage and cleaning site in Pautrier during a guided tour. A combination of industrial modernity and historical heritage not to be missed. ( duration:1hour)

  • The House of Baecque and Associates

    Enjoy a guided tour of this art auction house, which opens its doors to the public to present its trades as auctioneer and expert professions.

  • The Annasr Mosque

    Founded in 1985 by Imam Dachir Bahmani, a founding member of “Marseille Esperance”, it is the largest in Marseille and can accomodate up to 2000 worshippers. Guided or free tours are available.

  • The Epic Village

    Discover this educational innovation village on the site of the former Ricard offices and visit the former Ricard pastis factory. One- hour  treasure hunts are planned, independently in the Sainte-Marthe district to discover its history and anecdotes  in a fun way.

  • Saint-André Church

    Discover its unique interior during the guided tours!

A family programme

Awaken your senses and share a pleasant moment with your family! On the programme this year : riddles, games and various puzzles, workshops to discover new activities and explore history.

  • Street art tour

    Discover street art through aguided tour of the “Cours Julien” district (duration : 1h30)

  • In search of the Borely treasure

    In the company of a guide, you will have to follow the clues and go to different places in the park to solve riddles in order to find the code that will lead to the lost treasure. This will be an opportunity to discover the heritage and botany of the park (duration:1h30).

  • On the trail of the animal-Departmental Archives of Bouches-du-Rhône

    Fun discovery of the urban exhibition “The Song of Sparrows”. Using a playbook, children  explore the different relationships that humans have had with animals since Prehistory.

  • Urban Dreams Company

    Discover Marseille’s heritage as a family through games for children and information for adults. (Free visit of 1h30)

  • Cantini Museum - modern art

    Children will be able to take part in practical art workshops to discover the techniques of modern art.

  • Society of Architects

    Your children will make  life-size construction games, for an awakening to architecture (duration : 30 to 45min).

  • Salim-Hatubou media library

    Workshop to discover the Cosquer cave, with an introduction to cave painting.

Many guided tours

Stroll through the authentic and unknown districts of the city of Marseille and (re)discover its exceptional heritage and secrets with the guided tours offered by the Metropolitan Tourist Office and Convention Bureau and its partners.

Unusual activities

Get off the beaten track, draw in front of the Old Port, observe the sky, taste honey in the Calanques National Park and discover a new face of Marseille!

Frequently asked questions

  • How do I register for a visit?

    Please note! Most visits require prior registration (limited number of places).

    You can register on  Marseille Expérience  directly, but only for visits organised by the Marseille Metropolitan Tourist and Convention Bureau. These visits can also be booked at the tourist office reception desk, and by telephone on 0826 500 500 (0,15€/mn).

    For other tours and activities, you must contact the place in question directly. You will find the contact details of each of them on the JEP programme.

  • Where to find the programme of the European Heritage Days 2021 ?

    Here. The paper version of the programmes is printed in reduced quantities due to our RSE approach. We invite you to prefer the digital format which you can find.

  • Is the health pass compulsory?

    Yes, a valid health pass is required for access to the different sites and to participate in the guided tours. (negative RT-PCR or antigenic test less than 48 hours old, a complete vaccination certificate, a positive RT-PCR test at least 11 days old and less than 6 months old).

    Reminder : in order to protect yourself and others, wearing a mask is mandatory.

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