Huis Marseille: Amsterdam’s Oldest Photography Museum

Are you a big fan of photography? Then you’d definitely wouldn’t want to miss the Huis Marseille, the oldest photography museum in Amsterdam. The old building housing the museum on Amsterdam’s famous Keizersgracht and the temporary exhibitions are both exquisite and impressive.

Huis Marseille is the first photography museum in Amsterdam. The museum is a window into the world of photography. The museum houses a collection of works that showcase the rich history of European, Asian and African photography. Every three months you see a new photo exhibition in Huis Marseille. The museum is located on Keizersgracht in a beautiful building that dates from 1665. The building still has the appearance of a residential home. The warmth and intimacy have remained, but the rooms are now halls, decorated with beautiful works of photography. In contrast to the exhibition program, which also includes historical photography, the Huis Marseille collection mainly consists of contemporary photography. Focus areas include Dutch, South African and Japanese photography.

Huis Marseille is a house for contemporary photography with an international orientation. How do photographers develop a new visual language that is relevant to the artistic nature of photography, which at the same time reflects on this time? That is the question that is central to Huis Marseille and that influences the exhibition program. At a time when photography is unprecedentedly popular, as a (mass) medium accessible to everyone and omnipresent, photography as an artistic medium is constantly on the move. Huis Marseille opts for photography in which an artistic visual language is central and which is characterised by a passionate research spirit, as part of continuous research into avant-garde innovation. In addition, photography in Huis Marseille has social relevance and many interfaces with the changing spirit of the times. In addition to the permanent collection, in which photographers such as Ryan McGinley, Juul Kraijer and Pieter Hugo are represented, the museum offers a rich and varied exhibition program that is changed on average four times a year.

Our Huis Marseille Photo Impression

We paid a visit to Huis Marseille Photography Museum and took some pictures for our readers. The museum is located on the popular Keizersgracht in Amsterdam and is housed in an old canal house. The canal house is filled with history and the photographs aren’t the only source of wonder, the house itself is also something visitors love to admire. There are both permanent and temporary exhibitions and a well-stocked store for visitors to buy books and other works of art at the end of their tour. Don’t forget to book your ticket for this beautiful museum!

Temporary exhibitions at the Huis Marseille Museum of Photography Amsterdam.

Some more temporary exhibitions at the Huis Marseille Museum of Photography Amsterdam.

A permanent exhibition at the Huis Marseille Photography Museum Amsterdam.

More temporary exhibitions at Huis Marseille of Photography Museum in Amsterdam.

The Huis Marseille Photography Museum Amsterdam

A gallery in the Huis Marseille Photography Museum Amsterdam.

The Huis Marseille Photography Museum Amsterdam store.

Opening Hours Huis Marseille

The museum is closed on King’s Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day and also during the preparation for a new exhibition (in the week prior to the opening). Open on all other holidays, including Easter Monday and Whit Monday.

Huis Marseille Tickets Prices and Discounts

Tickets are available at the entrance of the Huis Marseille Museum. The regular admission price at the entrance is €9,-. However, if you are a student, 65+ or a group of more than 8 persons, you pay €4,50-. You can buy your tickets here on our website, just click on the Blue Bar. Your e-tickets will be sent instantly to your e-mail and can be scanned from your smartphone, so there’s no need to print anything. At the entrance, the employee will be able to scan the code right from the screen of your mobile phone.

Note: children under 18 are admitted only when accompanied by an adult.

Regular entrance prices at the door

Address, Contact Information and Route to the Museum

Huis Marseille Museum for Photography is located in a special canal house on the Keizersgracht in Amsterdam. The easiest way to get to the museum is by using public transport. You can find the exact information below this paragraph.

Address
Huis Marseille
Keizersgracht 401
1016 EK Amsterdam
+31 (0)20 531 8989
[email protected]
Huis Marseille

Huis Marseille FAQ

Can I visit the Huis Marseille in a wheelchair?

Due to the historic character of the two canal houses in which Huis Marseille is located, the museum is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.

Is there a queue for the Huis Marseille Museum?

There could be a short queue during the summer seasons but the museum doesn’t usually have long queues.

How much time do I need for a tour of the Huis Marseille Museum?

A tour of the museum would take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Is the Huis Marseille Museum suitable for children?

Yes, children under 18 can be brought under adult supervision and are allowed in for free.

Does the Huis Marseille Museum offer discounts for groups?

Yes, but only for groups with more than 8 persons. Groups pay €4,50- per person.

Is it possible to book group tours of the Museum?

Yes, it is possible but the group has to be more than 8 persons and less than 15 persons.

Public Transport

You can get to the Huis Marseille Photography Museum from many parts of Amsterdam. One of the easiest ways is to go via from Amsterdam Central station or the Leidseplein. Huis Marseille is best reached by bicycle or public transport. If you come by car, you can park in Q-Park Europarking (Marnixstraat) or in the Kalverstaat parking garage (Singel).

It is even possible to stop directly with a Canal Boat in front of the building. If you go for this option, make sure your Canal Cruise will drop by the right location which is the Keizersgracht.

The following trams will take you to the museum:

From Amsterdam Central Station:

• • • Tram 2, stop at Keizersgracht
    • Tram 11, stop at Keizersgracht
    • Tram 12, stop at Keizersgracht

From Amsterdam Leidseplein:
Tram 2, 11 or 12, stop at Keizersgracht

With the widget below you can find accurate advice for the real-time travel times based on your current location. This application will help you when you are not sure which bus or tram you can take from your location.

More things to do

Artis Amsterdam Zoo
Amsterdam Dungeon
BODY WORLDS Amsterdam
Canal Cruise Amsterdam
Casa Rosso 
THIS IS HOLLAND
Moco Museum
NEMO Science Museum
Powerzone
Rijksmuseum
Stedelijk Museum
Tropenmuseum
Van Gogh Museum

Take a look at one of the following museums below or go back to the general Amsterdam museums page.