cinematheque-francaise-marseille-2026

After Paris, the Cinémathèque française will open a cinema temple in the heart of Marseille

undefined undefined 3 mars 2025 undefined 19h00

The Editor

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The French Cinémathèque is landing in Marseille in 2026 with a brand new branch. The goal: not a copy of Paris, but a space dedicated to Mediterranean cinema with 600 annual screenings, exhibitions, and workshops. An ambitious project to shine a spotlight on the 7th art in the Phocean city!

Marseille is about to write a new chapter in its cinematic history with the arrival of the French Cinematheque. Scheduled for 2026, this establishment won't just be a replica of the prestigious Parisian venue, but rather a unique project tailored for the vibrant city of Marseille.

Frédéric Bonnaud, the director of the French Cinematheque, unveiled this exciting new adventure in the pages of La Tribune. The goal? To make Marseille a hub for cinema in the Mediterranean. “Henri Langlois dreamed of a national network of cinematheques. There’s the Lumière Institute in Lyon, and it seemed only natural that Marseille, the second city of France, should have its own as well,” explained Peggy Hannon, the deputy director of the institution, on France Inter.

Screenings, exhibitions, and educational workshops

Specifically, this Marseille antenna will offer an ambitious program with nearly 600 annual screenings, a temporary exhibition space, and two educational workshops dedicated to young people. But there’s no way we’re just copying what already exists in Paris. “We’re going to draw on our expertise while creating a unique identity for Marseille,” explains Peggy Hannon on France Inter. This project is fully part of the initiative “Marseille en grand,” unveiled by Emmanuel Macron in 2021, which aims to shine a light on the city well beyond its borders.

The establishment of the Cinémathèque will take place in the Crottes neighborhood, deeply rooted in the city's popular history and known for being the childhood home of Yves Montand. Alongside screenings, the preservation of cinematic heritage will also be at the heart of the project. The Cinémathèque has already restored The Quays' Rendezvous by Paul Carpita and is now tackling Marius by Alexander Korda, inspired by Marcel Pagnol.

With this opening, Marseille is positioning itself more than ever as an essential player in cinema in France. It's an ambitious project that could turn the city into a must-visit spot for all lovers of the big screen.