Exposition permanente Cosquer Méditerranée
Cosquer Méditerranée is a replica of the Cosquer Cave, a prehistoric cave located in the Calanques of Marseille.
About this event
Listed in the inventory of historic monuments, Cosquer Cave was discovered 30 years ago at a depth of 37 metres at Cap Morgiou, in the Calanques massif of Marseille. Today, it has been recreated in the heart of the Villa Méditerranée... Precious for its incredible wealth of cave art and geological wonders, Cosquer Cave is a fragile treasure now accessible to everyone.
The recreated Cosquer Cave:
The recreated cave is located on level -2 below sea level and can only be accessed by freight lift. The visit lasts 35 minutes.
From an imaginary underwater base, visit the recreation of Cosquer Cave in groups of 6, in an atmosphere close to the original. You will travel through the 1,750 m² recreated cave, comfortably seated aboard exploration modules and equipped with an audioguide (available in 6 languages). The story of Cosquer Cave’s secrets is narrated by Marseille actor Philippe Caubère.
A visit featuring 480 engravings and cave paintings created between 33,000 and 19,000 years before the present. These are complemented by reproduced speleothems and other geological wonders, staged with a concern for realism based on scientific data.
The Méditerranée Gallery:
The Méditerranée Gallery is located on level 3 in the cantilevered section. Accessible with your cave ticket.
The Méditerranée Gallery focuses on the Homo sapiens who visited the cave, their relationship with animals, their ways of representing the world and their relationship with the sea. Across 2,500 m², experience an immersive journey to discover Paleolithic cave art and the reasons that led to the cave’s flooding.
An unprecedented life-size bestiary is also presented. You will find the animal species depicted on the cave walls. Most are extinct or protected species. In turn, you will discover a bison, an aurochs, a giant deer, a saiga antelope, a seal and the three great auks, the stars of Cosquer Cave.
The Cassis diving centre:
Located on the ground floor
Discover the equipment and gear used by amateur and professional divers when the cave was discovered by Henri Cosquer.
