Cantini Museum (Musée Cantini)

The basics

The Cantini Museum is considered among the finest of its kind in the country. While art from several schools is represented, some styles take precedence, including fauvism and surrealism. The permanent collection is vast, with regular changes and upgrades to keep visitors coming back, and a partnership with Paris's Centre Pompidou allows the museum to bring in noteworthy pieces regularly.

Things to know before you go

• The Cantini Museum is a must-visit for modern art fans.

• Water bottles are prohibited in the museum (including in the cloakroom), and phones must be kept silent during your visit.

• The museum has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, but the elevator that connects the ground floor with the upper floor may not be functioning at the time of your visit. Check the museum website for the latest information.

How to get there

Although there's a parking lot about two blocks from Musée Cantini on Boulevard Paul Peytral, you may find it easier to get there by relying on public transportation. Metro line 1 stops by the museum at the Estrangin/Préfecture Station. There's also a bikeshare kiosk nearby (station ID 1213).

When to get there

The Cantini Museum is open Tuesday–Sunday throughout the year. It’s closed on Mondays, except for Easter Monday and Whit Monday. It's also closed on New Year's Day, Christmas Day, May 1, and Nov. 1 and 11. To avoid crowds, come first thing in the morning on a weekday.

Marseille Museum of Fine Arts

Art fans who can’t get enough of museums and those who prefer older styles should consider a visit to the Marseille Museum of Fine Arts instead. Housed in the unabashedly opulent Palais Longchamp, this seminal art museum focuses on the 16th–19th centuries, showcasing masterpieces from Peter Paul Rubens and Auguste Rodin.