La Vieille Charité (Vieille Charité Center), Marseille

La Vieille Charité, originally built between 1671 and 1749, stands as a former almshouse but has now been repurposed into a museum and cultural center, located in the heart of Marseille's old Panier quarter.

The main structure is a rectangular building (112 x 96 meters) made of pink and yellow-tinted molasse stone from Cap Couronne quarries. It has no outward-facing windows but contains three arcaded galleries overlooking an interior courtyard (82 x 45 meters). At the center of the courtyard stands a magnificent Baroque chapel designed by Puget, featuring a round church with an ellipsoidal dome and a Corinthian column-adorned portico, showcasing his creativity and skill.

In the 17th century, France harshly dealt with beggars using "beggar-hunters" to catch them. Non-residents were kicked out of Marseille, while locals were jailed. Almshouses became workhouses where beggars, including children, worked as domestic servants, cabin boys, or apprentices.

Over the years, the building underwent many changes. It survived the French Revolution and was later used as an asylum. In the nineteenth century, it served as barracks for the French Foreign Legion until 1922. Later, it became a shelter for those displaced by the district's demolition behind the Bourse and for the homeless after the dynamiting of the Old Port in World War II.

In the aftermath of World War II, the building faced challenging times with squatters occupying it, living in precarious conditions. However, between 1968 and 1986, thanks to the intervention of the Ministry of Culture, La Vieille Charité underwent a meticulous restoration, meticulously returning it to its former grandeur.

Why You Should Visit:
Beautiful and interesting exhibitions and rich, varied collections of great quality, all in a splendid setting.
The stone used, the general layout and tall ceilings of the corridors and rooms make this a unique attraction.

Tip:
Don't miss the chapel/church nearby, and there's also a popular café and pleasant courtyard for lunch.