Designed by Pierre Puget during the 17th century, this quadrant of arcades—surrounding a picturesque central chapel—originally served as a poorhouse. The imposing structure was nearly destroyed following a condemnation order during the mid 20th century. It was architect Le Corbusier who successfully launched a campaign for its preservation. Today the center houses the Musée d’Archéologie Méditerranéenne (Museum of Mediterranean Archaeology), the Musée Africain, Océanien et Amérindien (Museum of Africa, Oceania, and Amerindian Culture), a temporary exhibition space, and the CIPM (International Center of Poetry Marseille).