How do I get to the Hôtel de Cabre from the Old Port?

From the Vieux-Port, it’s just a three-minute walk towards the Grand Rue. The Hôtel de Cabre is easily accessible on foot and is an ideal base for exploring the Panier district and Marseille’s historic centre.

Can we visit the interior of the Hôtel de Cabre?

No. The Hôtel de Cabre is a private property and is not open to the public. However, its façade, which is listed as a historic monument, can be viewed freely from the street and is well worth a look whilst strolling through Marseille’s historic centre.

What sights are there to see near the Hôtel de Cabre?

The Hôtel de Cabre is just a short walk from several of Marseille’s must-see attractions, such as the Town Hall , the Hôtel-Dieu, the Maison Diamantée, the Old Port, the Panier district and the Marseille History Museum. A stroll through this area allows you to discover much of Marseille’s historical heritage.

Why is the Hôtel de Cabre at an angle?

Following the destruction of the Vieux-Port district in 1943, the town planning scheme was completely overhauled. In order to preserve the building whilst aligning it with the new streets, the Hôtel de Cabre was moved and rotated by approximately 90 degrees on its base in 1954. This technical feat explains its rather unusual orientation.

The Hôtel de Cabre

The oldest building in Marseille

What if Marseille’s oldest house were right in the heart of the city centre? Situated in the 2nd arrondissement, the Hôtel de Cabre is one of the oldest buildings in Marseille. Whether you’re just passing through Marseille or a long-time resident, come and discover this historic monument with its unique history, a witness to more than five centuries of history and a true highlight of Marseille’s heritage.

A building that has stood the test of time

Situated in Marseille’s 2nd arrondissement, on the corner of the Grand Rue and Rue de la Bonneterie, the Hôtel de Cabre is considered to be the oldest surviving house in Marseille. Built in 1535 at the request of Louis de Cabre, a consul, merchant and councillor from Marseille, it takes its name from its patron. This historic monument enjoys a prime location, just a stone’s throw from the Vieux-Port,the Hôtel de Ville and the Hôtel-Dieu.

Also known as the Maison de l’Échevin de Cabre, the building immediately stands out for its architecture. Its monumental façade, elegant mullioned windows and style—blending Gothic and Renaissance influences—contrast with the more recent buildings surrounding it. On the façade, visitors can see the effigies of Louis de Cabre and his wife, as well as a statue of Saint James, erected in honour of Louis’s father, Jacques de Cabre. In 1941, the façades of the Hôtel de Cabre were listed as Historic Monuments.

Over the centuries, the Hôtel de Cabre has weathered the major periods of Marseille’s history, escaping destruction. During the French Revolution, the coats of arms adorned with fleurs-de-lis were hammered out, as these emblems were associated with the monarchy. A few decades later, in January 1943, the building survived the widespread destruction that followed the Marseille round-up. On Hitler’s orders, the German authorities razed a large part of the neighbourhoods on the north bank of the Vieux-Port, which were wrongly deemed unsanitary and dangerous. The demolitions took place between 3 and 19 January 1943. Among the few buildings spared were the Hôtel de Cabre and the Maison Diamantée, which today stand as precious examples of Marseille’s historical heritage.

A surprising relocation

In 1954, a few years after the Second World War, the neighbourhood where the Hôtel de Cabre stands was rebuilt. However, the building was threatened with demolition due to its location, which lay in the path of the Grand Rue, which was due to be widened.
In order to preserve the historic building, two solutions were considered. The first involved dismantling the mansion stone by stone with a view to rebuilding it elsewhere. The second option, which was favoured, involved moving the mansion 15 metres and rotating it by 90° to bring it into line with the Grand Rue. Renovation work was also carried out to restore the façade, which had been damaged by the dynamiting in 1943.
Using a system of rails and a hydraulic pump, the 670-tonne monument was then moved onto a chassis. Today, holidaymakers and local residents can still admire this relic of Provence, which bears witness to Marseille’s history.
As a little anecdote, it is still possible to see the inscription “rue Bonneterie” on the façade of the Hôtel de Cabre, despite its relocation to the Grand Rue.

In 2025, the Hôtel de Cabre underwent a major restoration project that lasted several months. This work restored the façade to its original colour and completely refurbished the building’s flats, thereby helping to preserve and enhance this jewel of Marseille’s heritage.