Based in La Joliette in Marseille, the Frac Sud - Cité de l'art contemporain has a collection of more than 1,500 works by 700 artists. It now covers a regional, national and international territory and is developing new ways of disseminating its collection through a network of partners. A veritable laboratory for artistic experimentation, its programming focuses on the phenomena and issues that run through and shape our societies. It also supports creation, artistic production and the dissemination of works to the widest possible audience "outside the walls". In this way, Frac Sud contributes to the attractiveness and influence of the region.

Based in La Joliette in Marseille, the Frac Sud - Cité de l'art contemporain has a collection of more than 1,500 works by 700 artists. It now covers a regional, national and international territory and is developing new ways of disseminating its collection through a network of partners. A veritable laboratory for artistic experimentation, its programming focuses on the phenomena and issues that run through and shape our societies. It also supports creation, artistic production and the dissemination of works to the widest possible audience "outside the walls". In this way, Frac Sud contributes to the attractiveness and influence of the region.

Programme

Éléonore False, Poule, 2024. Crédit : Adagp, Paris 2024. Photo : Nicolas Brasseur
Éléonore False, Poule, 2024. Crédit : Adagp, Paris 2024. Photo : Nicolas Brasseur

The Chain Thread, Éléonore False

Venue: Frac Sud - plateau perspectives

The Frac Sud - Cité de l'art contemporain has invited the artist Éléonore False to present a solo exhibition on its premises, unprecedented in its scope and reflecting a decade of production and research on the image and its imaginaries.

Seven series of works are presented in dialogue with the unique architecture of the Frac Sud, designed by Kengo Kuma.
It's an opportunity to immerse oneself in the protean artistic universe of this artist, who uses a variety of techniques - textile works, collages, sculptures. Her works challenge us to consider the multiple meanings of images and their ability to embrace the visible and invisible diversity of forms that surround us.

Roman Signer, Hand, 1922. Collection Frac Sud, Marseille. Photo : Yves Gallois
Roman Signer, Hand, 1922. Collection Frac Sud, Marseille. Photo : Yves Gallois

What the hand thinks

Part 1 - Group exhibition of the Frac Sud collection
Venue: Frac Sud - plateau explorations

In 2025, Frac Sud is overturning the logic of its exhibition spaces to dedicate its main area to a major project based on works from its collection, exploring the artist's gesture and the relationship between art and craft.
The aim is for Frac Sud to display an important group of works within its walls, reading or re-reading the history of its collection through the prism of the artist's relationship with the hand and the repertoire of singular gestures that these creations establish.

With works by Dominique Angel, Léonor Antunes, Armand Avril, Théa Bernard, Katinka Bock, Pauline Curnier Jardin, Raphaël Emine, Ymane Fakhir, Éléonore False, Sandra Lecoq, Seulgi Lee, Pat McCarthy, Pascale Mijares, Olivier Millagou, Keita Mori, Stéphanie Nava, Pascal Navarro, Roman Signer, Vladimir Škoda and Adrien Vescovi.

Bruno Munari, Supplemento al dizionario italiano [1963] – Mantoue, Corraini Edizioni, 2009. Collection Frac Sud, Marseille. Don de (U)L.S / (un)limited store en 2012 – © Bruno Munari. Courtesy Corraini Edizioni. Photo : Adèle Mélice-Dodart
Bruno Munari, Supplemento al dizionario italiano [1963] – Mantoue, Corraini Edizioni, 2009. Collection Frac Sud, Marseille. Don de (U)L.S / (un)limited store en 2012 – © Bruno Munari. Courtesy Corraini Edizioni. Photo : Adèle Mélice-Dodart

Paper-Main-Sheet-Scissors

Part 1 - Presentation of a collection of artists' books and multiples
Venue: Frac Sud - centre de documentation recherche

The presentation of a series of artists' books and multiple editions at the Research and Documentation Centre is an extension of the exhibition "Ce que pense la main" and embodies the theme of the hand and the diversity of gestures in the field of publishing.

With books by Eva Barto, Ben, Jérémie Bennequin, Nicolas Boulard, Daniel Buren, John Coplans, Daniel Gustav Cramer, Dominique De Beir et Charles Pennequin, Peter Downsbrough, Henri Frachon, Vincent Ganivet, Dora García, Anne-Valérie Gasc, Marie-Ange Guilleminot, David Horvitz, George Maciunas, Bruno Munari, Kristen Mueller, Julien Nédélec, Michalis Pichler, Théophile Rolland, Matthieu Saladin, Hans Schabus, Simon Starling, Athena Tacha, Nick Thurston, Erica Van Horn, Bernard Villers, Eric Watier, Zeste le Reste, Rahel Zoller et Louis Porter.

Les Ecuries d’Aurabelle, Gréoux-les-Bains, 2025 © Claire Dantzer
Les Ecuries d’Aurabelle, Gréoux-les-Bains, 2025 © Claire Dantzer

The straw horse, Claire Dantzer

As part of the Printemps de l'art contemporain festival (p-a-c)
Venue: Frac Sud – plateau expérimentations

As part of its educational projects, Frac Sud is working with the network of media libraries in the Durance Luberon Verdon agglomeration to develop a new form of residency that closely combines research, transfer workshops and the production of an exhibition. Guest artist Claire Dantzer has developed a proposal at the crossroads of artistic and craft practices, with the repetition of gestures at the heart of the creative process.

Drawing in particular on bestiary imagery, she proposes a re-reading of the territory. She uses figures and motifs to feed a shared narrative where nature, myth and symbolism meet. Le cheval de paille (The Straw Horse) involves students and local craftsmen in a collective working process that gives substance to these interactions through the use of traditional skills and techniques.

Access

Frac Sud - Cité de l'art contemporain
20, boulevard de Dunkerque
13002 Marseille
0033 4 91 91 27 55
fracsud.org/

Wednesday to Saturday: noon – 7pm.
Sunday: 2pm – 6pm.
Free entry. Closed on public holidays.

Locate other art venues in the vicinity on the map.

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CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERIES

Double V Gallery : The trendy contemporary art gallery in Marseille.
Galerie Béa-Ba : A hub for contemporary painting.

CULTURE & HERITAGE

Friche La Belle de mai : An arts and culture factory and a living place.
Coco Velten : A place for working and encounters with a collaborative cultural programme.
Fotokino : Exhibitions, screenings, workshops and conferences.

TO DISCOVER

Lucy Luce : the workshop-boutique of a jewelry designer and organic sculptures.
JoggingJogging : concept et fashion store.

BOAT TRIP

Le Don du Vent : Boat rental and private boat services.

PLACES TO STAY

Les Bords de Mer : Mini-refuge, maxi-vue : 19 bedrooms facing the big blue.
Hôtel Le Ryad : Well located at the top of la Canebière in the city center.
La Résidence du Vieux Port : 4-star hotel with a retro decor, inspired by Le Corbusier and Pouillon.
Tuba Club : A restyled former diving club in the Goudes district. 5 bedrooms and a restaurant with a breathtaking view of the Calanques.

PLACES TO EAT

La Marine des Goudes : A mythical place in the heart of the little port of Les Goudes, inviting the sea to enter and guests to sail.
Sépia : Seasonal cooking. Covered terrace and view of the city.
La Parenthèse : Terrace with tapas to share in a quiet alley of La Vieille Chapelle district.
Chez Yassine : Tunisian halal specialties. A must-go of Eastern cuisine in the Noailles district.
Yima: A family Eastern canteen in the Noailles district.
Toïa : For the ceviche lovers, a tasty cuisine made with fresh and seasonal products.
La cantine de Lynn : A delicious small restaurant, home cooking and a welcoming atmosphere.

WINE BARS & GROCERY

Les Buvards : An excellent selection of natural wines and healthy products in this natural wine bar pioneer in Marseille.
Épicerie L’Idéal : Fresh goat cheese, Camargue lamb, an excellent selection of products from the Mediterranean Basin to take away and meals to eat in.
Maison Geney : Canteen, delicatessen and tearoom with homemade products, a simple and generous cooking in the Panier district.