Fragonard Museum of Fashion and Costume – Entry Ticket
Bouches-du-Rhône, Marseille
A journey through the history of costume.
Highlights
- Dive into the history of fashion and textiles
- Admire the 17th-century Hôtel Bouchaud de Bussy, beautifully restored
- Discover the many definitions and expressions of fashion and costume
Description
In the summer of 2025, Arles opened an important new cultural venue: the Museum of Fashion and Costume, located in the heart of the city on rue de la Calade. Behind its historic walls, long known by the people of Arles as the former maternity hospital, the building has now found a new purpose.
The renovation project, led by the architects of Studio KO, brought new life to the foundations dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. The original spaces now blend with a contemporary, raw, and minimalist design that pays special attention to materials and to the unique light of Provence.
The restoration work also revealed remarkable heritage elements: a monumental staircase dating from 1720–1724, a large courtyard decorated with a traditional Crau pebble pavement, and a smaller, more intimate courtyard that had long been abandoned and is now restored.
The project is led by the Fragonard House, the famous family of perfumers from Grasse, showing a strong commitment to heritage and cultural transmission.
The museum hosts a dynamic program of temporary exhibitions, created in partnership with specialized institutions.
Its mission is to showcase the fashion collection of Hélène Costa, enriched since 2019 by the collection of Magali Pascal. Together, these collections offer a unique vision of clothing styles and Mediterranean lifestyle in southern France from the mid-18th century to today.
Thanks to the richness of its first year’s program, the museum has already become an important reference for exploring the many meanings and expressions of fashion and costume over time, while creating links with haute couture, theatre, opera, and cinema in collaboration with major arts institutions.
Includes
Museum access
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
