Are you a lover of art, culture, andimmersive experiences, but sometimes miss out on must-see exhibitions ? Marseille Secrète brings you a quick rundown of the art and cultural exhibitions and events you absolutely must not miss this year. Follow the guide and discover the must-see exhibitions in Marseille’s museums in 2026.
Chagall Exhibition: It’s All About Color!
The Aix Cultural Center invites us to immerse ourselves in the world of Marc Chagall through 65 lithographs. A Franco-Russian artist, he explored this medium in the 1920s before truly experimenting with it 20 years later at the Mourlot studio in Paris. Featuring exceptional color quality,this free exhibition is divided into five thematic sections. A journey that allows visitors to rediscover themes dear to Chagall, such as the circus or relationships, as well as major mythological, literary, and religious texts, centered on the adventures of Ulysses or the Exodus.
Between Land and Sea: A History of the Marseille Coastline
How has the Marseille coastline changed since the Middle Ages? This is the question posed by the exhibition “Between Land and Sea” at the Marseille Municipal Archives. Along 50 kilometers of coastline, from the Calanques to urban areas, discover a history shaped by human activity and natural changes. An essential analysis for understanding the challenges facing a region now threatened by climate change.
Titanic Exhibition: An Immersive Journey
Get ready to embark on Titanic: An Immersive Journey, an extraordinary expedition into the depths of history. Coming soon to Marseille, this experience transports you aboard the famous ocean liner thanks to life-size recreations—including its iconic grand staircase—and cutting-edge 3D technology. From the ship’s construction to its tragic end, relive every moment as if you were there, complemented by a unique virtual reality exploration of the wreck. An emotional and historical adventure not to be missed!
For your next cultural getaway, head to the Centre de la Vieille Charité to discover the exhibition Aden–Marseille: From One Port to Another. Organized in partnership with the Louvre Museum, this exhibition traces over a century of interactions between Marseille and Yemen’s major port. Through a selection ofarchives andrare works from around the world, it reveals the deep ties—both commercial and human—that unite these two maritime cities.
Don Quixote Exhibition at the Mucem
Come meet Cervantes’s illustrious knight at the Mucem! The exhibition dedicated to Don Quixote immerses you in a world that is both captivating and full of humor, tracing four centuries of creations inspired by this famous anti-hero. A unique opportunity to explore the duality of this character, caught between madness and lucidity, and to understand why he still fascinates artists around the world today.
The Marseille History Museum invites you on a unique journey through time through the lens of the Detaille dynasty. From 1860 to the present day, three generations of photographers have immortalized the soul of Marseille, capturing its urban transformations, popular traditions, and architectural heritage. An exceptional retrospective offering a unique visual record of Marseille spanning more than a century and a half.
Starting February 13, 2026, theCarrières des Lumières will host a masterful artistic encounter between Pablo Picasso and Frida Kahlo. In the heart of Les Baux-de-Provence, the rock walls will come alive to the rhythm of one artist’s forms and the other’s vibrant colors. A total and spectacular immersion to experience just one hour from Marseille.
“Good Mothers” Exhibition at the Mucem
Starting March 18, 2026, the Mucem presents Bonnes Mères, a major exhibition exploring four millennia of stories and rituals related to motherhood in the Mediterranean. From ancient goddesses to the iconic figure of the Bonne Mère of Marseille, this thematic journey examines social norms and the diversity of maternal experiences. Through an immersive and radiant exhibition design, the exhibition highlights the intimate, political, and artistic dimensions of motherhood, paying a vibrant tribute to figures who have long remained in the shadows.
Dubout Exhibition – The Art of Drawing Everything
To mark the 50th anniversary ofAlbert Dubout’s passing, the Musée Regards de Provence is dedicating an exhibition to his prolific and inventive body of work. A leading illustrator of the 20th century and a native of Marseille, the artist excelled in all forms of graphic expression. His satirical eye and distinctive style left an indelible mark on an entire generation, both in France and internationally. From paintings and posters to advertisements and animations, the exhibition “Dubout: The Art of Drawing Everything ” pays a comprehensive tribute to the Marseille-born illustrator.
An exceptional event awaits music lovers just 1 hour and 15 minutes from Marseille. At the Hôtel de Lagoy, the exhibition “Freddie Mercury, Never Say Goodbye” offers a unique retrospective on the rock legend. Featuring iconic photographs and cult objects, the exhibition explores his connections with David Bowie and Elton John and offers an intimate glimpse into his life through a reconstruction of his London home. To complete the experience, the hotel’s courtyard will come alive all summer long to the sounds of the album *Barcelona* during exclusive opera evenings.
Toulouse-Lautrec Exhibition – Creator of Icons
Caumont-Centre d’Art takes us to late 19th-century Paris through the work of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. An iconic figure of the Parisian avant-garde, the artist captured the essence of his contemporaries while experimenting with different styles. Featuring around a hundred works, the exhibition explores both his plein air paintings and his iconic posters dedicated to the leading figures of the Belle Époque entertainment scene.
Art Nouveau – Art Deco. Marseille at the Heart of Styles
Château Borély celebrates a golden age of lifestyle with the exhibition Art Nouveau – Art Deco. Marseille at the Heart of Styles. For the first time, the Museum of Decorative Arts highlights the major influence of Marseille on the decorative and industrial arts. Through an exhibition featuring nearly 180 works —including prestigious loans from the Musée d’Orsay and the Mobilier National—this retrospective unveils a little-known local heritage of exceptional richness.
The Vasarely Foundation’s Anniversary Exhibition
Inaugurated exactly 50 years ago, the Vasarely Foundation in Aix-en-Provence is planning a special exhibition to mark the occasion. This anniversary exhibition will open in June 2026 and feature a program dedicated to the center’s architectural project.
As the highlight of 2026, the Granet Museum in Aix-en-Provence is hosting the exhibition Paul McCartney, Photographer 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm. Through the artist’s personal lens and more than 250 photographs, visitors will discover the intimate world of the Beatles at the height of their global rise. A unique and exclusive immersion into the band’s daily life, on view from July 4 to November 1, 2026.
OCEANIA Exhibition: Beings of Water
Starting in the fall of 2026, the Centre de la Vieille Charité invites you on a journey to the far reaches of the Pacific with the exhibition OCEANIA. beings of water. By presenting this continent as a veritable “sea of islands,” the exhibition explores the spiritual and vital connection that unites the peoples of Oceania with the ocean. Through a mix of ancient artifacts and contemporary creations, this exhibition highlights the deep connections between humans and the beings that inhabit this vast aquatic world.
