Old Charity Center — Attraction in Marseille

I visited the museum and needed to use the bathroom upon arrival. As a wheelchair user, I was directed to an accessible bathroom at the back of the church. Unfortunately, none of the staff at the ticket area spoke English, and I don't speak French. When I got to the bathroom, I was told the person with the key to the accessible bathroom was not present that day.

I was then sent to another bathroom back at reception, quite a distance away. After a series of miscommunications and several staff members searching for the key, they finally found a spare key to an accessible bathroom used by staff. This bathroom was poorly equipped for people with disabilities, with a storage rack in the corner making it impossible to turn around in a wheelchair. From asking to use the bathroom to actually getting to use it took almost 15 minutes.

This experience highlighted how disorganised and inappropriate this museum is for people with disabilities. As a major museum in the second largest city in France, it's appalling not to have proper facilities for people with disabilities.

With Paris hosting the Paralympics soon, this issue becomes even more pressing. Visitors with disabilities will want to explore the city, and they will face the same difficulties I did if this museum doesn't improve its facilities. It's crucial for the museum to enhance its bathroom facilities and make the entire space more accessible and inclusive for people of all abilities.

Additionally, the museum should provide disability access and inclusion training for all staff. It was clear that the staff were unsure how to handle the situation.

On a positive note, the staff were friendly and accommodating, and I believe they meant well. The problem lies with the facilities, not the people. I hope this museum can improve...

Verdict: If in Marseille, this is a must museum to visit.

This musée is at the heart of Le Panier area which itself is a museum of old residential buildings. It is in the old part of Marseille which you must walk through. There are signs to the museum.

I was lucky there was an exhibition of Art by Chance, which showcased the abstract, surrealist, and dadaist works. This is a relatively small museum but I still wished they had an audio guide. There are a lot explanations in English. In addition to the special exposition, the second and third floors house their permanent collection of ancient world of Egypt, Iran, Sumeria. There are art works of the new world and a special section devoted to Mexico.

It has unbelievably cheap tickets, but luckily for me, the first Sunday of every month, the entry is free. You still need to get a ticket for accounting purposes, but it costs zero Euro... Thanks the museum staff.

-(To the staff as another reviewer has mentioned this issue which apparently has not been dealt with..there is no soap in the bathrooms and the toilletts are not clean. It is a shame for this...

The Old Charity Center (La Vieille Charité) is a historic building located in the Panier district of Marseille, France. Originally built in the 17th century as a charitable institution to care for the poor and homeless, it has since been transformed into a cultural center and museum.

The architecture of La Vieille Charité is notable for its beautiful cloisters and baroque style, making it an iconic landmark in the city. Today, the center houses several cultural institutions, including museums and galleries, where visitors can explore various exhibitions related to the history of Marseille, as well as contemporary art.

La Vieille Charité is also a venue for cultural events, workshops, and educational activities, contributing to the vibrant cultural scene of Marseille. Its location in the historic Panier district adds to its charm, as visitors can enjoy exploring the surrounding narrow streets filled with local shops and cafes.

If you would like more information about specific exhibitions, events, or the history of the Old Charity Center, just...