Marseille Capitale de la mer

Marseille Capital of the sea. The association has its roots in the Old Port.

By Benjamin Perles

Built in the thirteenth century, this building is one of the rare witnesses of the mercantile past of our Old Port. It served as an indispensable point of passage for ships, allowing them to dock after undergoing a rigorous health inspection. Resisting the ravages of the Second World War, despite the damage caused by the destruction of the transporter bridge, since 2020, the building has housed the “Consigne à Image,” a space dedicated to introducing children to modern and contemporary art, created in partnership with the department of Bouches-du-Rhône, the Centre Pompidou, and the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis.

In September 2023, Marseille the Capital of the Sea, inaugurates its shared space to bring together the associative, artistic, and economic actors who share a common passion for the deep blue sea. Patrick Fancello, co-founder and president, states: “This place is meant to be open to the sea and open to people. It aims to strengthen connections by offering exhibitions, events, roundtable discussions, and exchanges. To share the sea…”. The “Consigne” is intended as a physical extension of Marseille’s the Capital of the Sea ambitions, and will be designed in a flexible manner for organizing events, conferences, meetings, and even hosting businesses. For example, the sea meetings of “Marseille’s Autumn” extend the Indian summer every Wednesday in the month of November with a treasure hunt open to all by registration.

“If this place is open to all, it will become indispensable for business leaders, who will be pioneers in taking ownership of the various spaces and projects that emerge every day. So, more than ever, let’s embark together, join us, come challenge us, and become ambassadors of Marseille the Capital of the Sea,” says Marie Dominique Champloy, General Director.