MOTOWN MUSEUM

No visit to Detroit is complete without a trip to the Motown Museum. Who doesn't know the chorus of a Motown song by heart? From Diana Ross and The Supremes to The Temptations, Michael Jackson & The Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops and Smokey Robinson, the greatest stars of soul music passed through this hyper-prolific record company, revealing international stars who have gone down in music history. The museum is housed in two interconnected houses, including the former home of Motown founder Berry Gordy (Hitsville U.S.A.), which also housed the company's recording studio from 1959 to 1968, an already glorious early period when 80 of the label's songs reached the Top 10 of the U.S. charts.

Visit the museum. You're greeted by your guide, who knows a thing or two about the subject. Not only does he set the mood, transporting you immediately back to Motown's golden age, but he also shares many anecdotes about the history of this incredible adventure. The visit begins in the projection room, where a 20-minute film retraces the history of Motown, with interviews with artists such as Smokey Robinson and Gladys Knight. This is followed by an interesting photo exhibition and a number of artifacts, including Michael Jackson's famous glove and hat. We then visit Berry Gordy's apartment, not forgetting the company's former offices, all of which have remained partly intact since the 1960s. The highlight of the visit is the famous Studio A, a very moving place to be. When you think that all these artists recorded their hits here, it's impossible to remain indifferent. Guided tours are offered every 30 or 60 minutes, but unfortunately, they're only in English... But for soul music fans, the visit remains interesting and moving, despite the language barrier.

Expansion project. A huge US$65 million expansion project is currently underway, and will run until 2024. It includes the restoration of three adjacent houses at Hitsville U.S.A., once part of an eight-house complex acquired by Berry Gordy, and the construction of the ultra-modern pavilion built around Histville U.S.A., which will feature new exhibitions, recording studios, a theater and more. The result promises to be grandiose!