The architecture of Marseille, a reflection of a cosmopolitan city

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Marseilles, founded by Greek settlers over 2,600 years ago, has built itself up over the centuries by integrating the influences of the civilisations that have passed through it and the sailors who have docked there. Its architecture reflects this rich history and culture. While ancient remains and medieval buildings are few and far between, emblematic buildings and more discreet structures contribute to the unique character of our town.

From the abbey of Saint-Victor to the Mucem, from the basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde to the Haussmann buildings, from the Panier district to the Avenue du Prado, Marseille’s districts and monuments tell part of the city’s history.

Architecture that reflects a city in constant reconstruction

Marseille is a city in constant evolution, rebuilding on itself for more than 2,600 years. Like a mille-feuille, the new city is built on the remains of past eras, and each new construction can give rise to fascinating archaeological discoveries. The most precious remains of ancient Greek Massalia, for example, were unearthed during the construction of a shopping centre, and are now being showcased in the Jardin des Vestiges.

Fortunately, many buildings have survived the centuries to become an integral part of Marseille’s architecture.

Saint-Victor Abbey, founded in the 5th century, is one of the oldest witnesses to the Middle Ages in Marseille. Built on a former quarry and early Christian necropolis, it is a unique example of fortified monastic architecture, with its thick stone walls and crenellated towers. A veritable spiritual bastion, it is a reminder of the place Christianity has played in the history of Marseille, and continues to welcome the faithful during Candlemas celebrations.

The Baroque period also left its mark on the city. La Vieille Charité, a former hospice built in the 17th century by Pierre Puget, now houses a cultural centre with exhibitions and museums. Located in the historic Panier district, this pink stone and limestone building is arranged around a vast rectangular courtyard lined with arcades, with a domed chapel at its centre.

Marseille is constantly reinventing itself, launching new urban and architectural projects to support its development. The redevelopment of the seafront with the Euroméditerranée project is a prime example of the city’s desire to modernise while at the same time making the most of its past, notably with the renovation of the Docks de la Joliette.

©

Edwige Lamy

©

Massimo Municchi

Architecture with many influences

Thanks to its strategic position in the Mediterranean, Marseille has always been a crossroads for trade between several continents. Its architecture bears the mark of this, incorporating influences from Italy, Spain, Byzantium and North Africa.

Everyone in Marseilles knows Notre-Dame de la Garde, for example. But few know that this edifice, built between 1853 and 1864 to designs by architect Henri Espérandieu, was inspired by the Byzantine Empire, with its domes adorned with gilded mosaics and its campanile topped by the famous gilded statue of the Virgin. Its green and white stone construction gives it a unique allure.

La Major cathedral, located between the Old Port and the Joliette district, boasts imposing domes, alternating white and green stone facades and a silhouette reminiscent of the great cathedrals of the Orient. Built under Napoleon III, its neo-Byzantine architecture bears witness to the link between Marseille and Mediterranean cultures.

The Palais Longchamp, inaugurated in 1869, reflects a neoclassical style influenced by Antiquity. Its Ionic columns linking the two wings are reminiscent of Roman temples, while the sculptures adorning the central fountain evoke the abundance and richness of water, a fundamental element for Marseille, which suffered from thirst before the construction of the Durance canal.

Contemporary buildings that have become emblematic

While the historic monuments attract visitors, several more recent buildings symbolise the architectural renewal of Marseille.

The Cité Radieuse, built in 1952 by Le Corbusier, is a masterpiece of modernist architecture. This “housing unit” was designed as a veritable vertical village, bringing together flats, shops, a school and a hotel. Designed in raw concrete and built on stilts, it breaks with traditional housing codes and offers a new way of living in a community. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it remains an influential model of urban planning the world over.

On a more contemporary note, the 147-metre-high CMA CGM Tower is the tallest tower in Marseille. Designed by the architect Zaha Hadid and inaugurated in 2011, it stands out for its glass façade and fluid lines that reflect the light and the surrounding sea. It bears witness to the economic power of the shipping company that built it.

Just a few metres away, the 136-metre Tour La Marseillaise completes the skyline facing the harbour. Designed by architect Jean Nouvel, it blends into the landscape with its gradation of colours. Resolutely forward-looking, it is committed to an unprecedented environmental approach for a building of this scale.

The Mucem (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisation) has become one of the city’s landmarks with its bold architecture. Built in 2013 by Rudy Ricciotti, this lacy cube of black concrete, located at the entrance to the Old Port, is reminiscent of oriental moucharabiehs. Linked to Fort Saint-Jean by a suspended footbridge, it creates a dialogue between ancient and contemporary architecture, linking the history of Marseille with its cultural future.

Another symbol of the 21st century, the Villa Méditerranée, with its spectacular overhang, embodies Marseille’s architectural boldness. Located close to the Mucem, it houses a reproduction of the Cosquer cave, famous for its cave paintings.

Discovering Marseille’s architecture

Marseille’s architecture is not limited to its monuments and emblematic buildings. As you explore the city’s different districts, you’ll discover a diversity of styles and influences that give it its unique identity.

The Docks de la Joliette, former 19th-century port warehouses, have been transformed into a business and shopping centre. A link between the past and the future, this redevelopment illustrates Marseille’s determination to preserve its heritage while giving it a new lease of life.

Rue de la République, which was laid out under Napoleon III, is lined with Haussmann-style buildings. This project, designed to modernise Marseille and encourage trade, is still a testament to the importance of Marseille in the 19th century, as one of the leading European and Mediterranean trading ports.

The architectural character of Marseille also lies in another typical feature of its heritage: the three-window buildings. These modest buildings, typical of working-class districts, can be recognised by their narrow facades pierced by three windows aligned on each floor. First appearing in the 17th century, they developed strongly in the 19th century. Their design was formalised by the architect Victor Leroy in 1847, who published a guide to building in Marseille. Very common in the city centre, they bear witness to the evolution of working-class housing and the urban development of our city.