Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations

This guide to the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations starts at Fort Saint-Jean next door, ordered built by Louis XIV in 1660 right after Marseille's citizens rose up against his governor, and dressed up as a gift to the city. It traces what the fortress's guns were actually positioned to do, and follows episodes from the French Revolution when the fort held a very different role. From there it reaches back some twenty-six centuries to Greek traders from Phocaea who rowed into this bay and founded Massalia. Cross the footbridge from the modern building to the old ramparts as you listen.