La Vieille Charité

The concept of establishing an almshouse dedicated to Notre-Dame, mère de Charité (Our Lady, Mother of Charity), for the benefit of the poor was first envisioned in 1622. However, it wasn't until 1640 that a suitable parcel of land was acquired, and the first residents were admitted in the following year. The foundation stone was laid in 1640, but the actual construction of the building, according to the grand plan of architect Pierre Puget, didn't commence until 1671. Due to reductions imposed by the aldermen of Marseille, the construction of the almshouse was extended, and it wasn't completed until 1749. The central chapel was erected between 1679 and 1704, and although Puget passed away in 1694, his son François oversaw the completion of this part of the project.

The primary framework of the edifice consists of a rectangular shape that spans 112 meters in length and 96 meters in width. It is composed of four walls constructed from molasse stone in pink and yellow hues, extracted from the ancient quarries at Cap Couronne. The walls do not feature any outward-facing windows.

The interior of the structure comprises three levels of arcaded galleries that overlap each other. These galleries lead to an inner courtyard that measures 82 meters in length and 45 meters in width. At the center of this courtyard is an exquisite chapel, designed in a harmonious style with a circular shape. The chapel is adorned with an ellipsoidal dome and is accompanied by a classical-style portico that features Corinthian columns. This Baroque chapel is widely recognized as one of Puget's most unique and innovative designs.

France was notorious for its brutal treatment of beggars in the 17th century. The Chasse-gueux, or "beggar-hunters," were responsible for rounding up beggars and either expelling non-residents from Marseille or imprisoning native beggars. However, the crowd often sided with the beggars during arrests.

Beggars who were taken in by almshouses were often put to work. Children were given jobs as domestic servants, cabin boys, or apprentices with seamstresses or bakers. Over time, the number of beggars housed in la Vielle Charité increased from 850 in 1736 to 1059 in 1760. As society became less tolerant of imprisoning the poor, the number of inmates decreased to 250 in 1781.

In the 19th century, the building was used as an asylum for vagrants and the dispossessed. It later became a barracks for the French Foreign Legion until 1922. After that, it was used to house those displaced by the demolition of the district behind the Bourse, and later those made homeless by the dynamiting of the Old Port during World War II. Unfortunately, the building was plagued by squatters, pillagers, and vandals, and eventually housed 146 families in squalid and unsafe conditions.

In 1962, all residents were rehoused, and the building was shut down. However, in 1968, thanks to the intervention of the Minister of Culture, André Malraux, funds were made available to rescue the buildings, which by then were in a state of total dereliction. Between 1970 and 1986, La Vieille Charité was painstakingly restored to its former glory, with restoration of the chapel completed in 1981.

La Vieille Charité is a multifaceted cultural and educational center that houses a range of diverse resources. Located on the first floor of the building is the Museum of Mediterranean Archaeology, which showcases a vast array of oriental and classical antiquities, as well as local Celto-Ligurian archaeology. This museum offers visitors a glimpse into the rich cultural history of the Mediterranean region.

On the second floor of La Vieille Charité is the Museum of Art of Africa, Oceania and Amerindia. This museum is home to an unusually large collection of artifacts, including masks from Mexico and West Africa and a unique collection of engraved human skulls and trophy heads from South America. The museum's collection offers visitors an opportunity to explore the art and culture of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas.

La Vieille Charité is also a regional hub of the École des Hautes Études en sciences sociales (EHESS). This institution provides academic training, including a master's and a PhD curriculum. The center also serves as a research center in anthropology, sociology, and history of social dynamics through the Centre Norbert Elias.

The Fabrique des écritures is another innovative project housed within La Vieille Charité. This project offers production facilities to researchers and creates an environment to develop critical thinking on creative and emerging forms of narrative. Visitors can explore various narratives and delve into new and innovative forms of storytelling.

Additionally, La Vieille Charité is home to a research library that specializes in social sciences and anthropology, particularly visual anthropology. The center also houses the Centre international de la poésie de Marseille, which is dedicated to the creation and dissemination of contemporary poetry. Visitors can also explore temporary exhibition rooms and a café during their visit to La Vieille Charité.