A place travelers can visit Palais Longchamp

Reviews: Palais Longchamp

General description: Palais Longchamp

Palais Longchamp is a beautiful Palace which houses a museum of fine arts, the museum of natural history and the Parc Longchamp which is listed as one of the most beautiful gardens in France by the French Ministry of Cultrue.
 
Building the Palace
In 1838 the construction of the Canal de Marseille started under the supervision of the engineer Monticher. It was built to channel the fresh water from Durance to Marseilles. The channel along with the water reached the first Marseilles region (near Saint-Antoine) in 1847 and finally in 1849 the actual city of Marseilles on the former Longchamp Plateau. To celebrate the arrival of the water, the architect Henri-Jacques Espérandieu was commissioned to create a water inspired building. The construction of the Palais Longchamp was completed in 1862.
 
Museums and Gardens
Since 1869 the wings of the palace have housed two highly respected museums of Marseilles: the Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts) to the left and the Museum of Natural History (Muséum d'histoire naturelle) on the right. The building is surrounded with gardens. The front garden is dominated by numerous fountains and waterfalls and until 1987 there was a zoo at the back. It is now a very popular park.
 
Natural History Museumn opening times
10am - 5pm Tuesday - Sunday
 
Prices
€2 - €4
Free: under 21, over 65 disabilities, everyone on Sunday mornings.
 
Getting there
Subway Five Avenues Longchamp, Longchamp Tramway
 
Address
Palais Longchamp
Philippon Boulevard
13004 Marseille

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• All further information: http://www.marseille.fr/sitevdm/jsp/site/Portal.jsp?document_id=646&portlet_id=789
  

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