As well as being attractive for its beaches, climate and gourmet cuisine, the Mediterranean region is steeped in history and tradition. A place of mixing and sharing, popular arts and traditions have evolved over the centuries and through the civilisations that have passed through.
In Cassis, a collection brings together all these Mediterranean cultures in a place that the curious can visit. At the Musée Méditerannéen des Arts et Traditions Populaires, you'll discover finds made during excavations of the wrecks around Cassis, paintings showing the evolution of the Marseilles landscape and pottery from the time when the first humans arrived on the Côte d'Azur. The small fishing village also has a lot to show and tell about the unique world of the sea, including old fishing tools and naval models from days gone by.
Cassidian folklore is recounted in all its facets, to inspire our imagination and delight our eyes.
The Mediterranean was once unified by the Roman Empire. Egypt, part of Iraq, France, Greece, Italy and no fewer than 40 present-day countries used the same currency and were governed by the same laws and the same rulers.
The remains of this Gallo-Roman period can be seen all over Provence: the famous arena in Nîmes, the forum in Arles, the Roman amphitheatre in Fréjus and the ancient theatre in Orange.
Cassis
In addition to the mixtures of the Gallo-Roman period, the Etruscan and Greek eras also contributed to the melting pot that the Mediterranean has become. In fact, these exchanges, the sharing of cultures and the blending of know-how have made the Mediterranean a place rich in tradition and culture.
The people who lived in these regions evolved through a mixture of identities, religions and the constraints imposed on them by nature. From Marseille to Nice, folk arts and traditions include Provençal crafts and festive costumes, games invented and stories told, fishing tools and traditional music, and much more besides.
Cassis
To discover some of the folklore of Provence and the history of Cassis during your holiday in the little fishing village, the Musée Municipal Méditerranéen d'Arts et Traditions Populaires is the perfect place.
Founded in 1910 by two Marseilles painters, Marius and his wife Eugénie Guidon, the museum and its first collection consisted of 47 paintings by Provençal masters, generously bequeathed by the artists.
Today the museum, housed in a former 18th-century presbytery, has the "Musée de France" label. Its collections combine archaeology, ethnography and the fine arts around the town of Cassis and the surrounding area. The museum has several permanent and temporary collection rooms, as well as a small reading corner and a mini-shop.
The permanent collection consists of :
Every year, the museum puts on various collections in addition to its permanent collection. To find out more about the temporary collections on display during your stay in Cassis, visit the town's website.
Conferences, cultural events, exchanges and educational workshops for children are organised throughout the year. When you arrive in Cassis, don't hesitate to ask at the tourist office or directly at the municipal museum.
The Musée Municipal Méditerranéens d'Art et Tradition de Cassis is open all year round, from Wednesday to Saturday, excluding public holidays.
⏰ Opening times are:
10.30am to midday and 2.30pm to 5.30pm, 1 October to 31 May; 10.30am to midday and 2pm to 6pm, 1 June to 31 September.
The Cassis municipal museum is located just opposite the market square, where you can discover local specialities before learning more about the region's history.
We've rounded up the best specialities from Provence in our article on the Cassis market.
Self-guided tours are free.
Guided tours cost €3 per person and are free for children and under-18s.
Group visits can be arranged with the museum at least 15 days in advance.
Educational workshops, historical games or other activities for children range from €2 to €5 per person.
This museum is suitable for children. Many activities are organised to help young visitors discover the popular traditions of the Mediterranean.
We recommend between 45 minutes and 1 hour to visit the museum.
You can visit the market, go for an ice cream in Cassis harbour or take a stroll in the Cassis public gardens, which are just across the road.
