Why is Place Castellane called that?

The square owes its name to Henri-César de Castellane-Majastre, who donated his land to the City of Marseille in 1774 to enable the square to be built. He also helped to fund the initial works.

What does the fountain in Place Castellane represent?

The famous Cantini Fountain, crafted from Carrara marble by the sculptor André Allar, depicts the major rivers of Provence (the Rhône, the Durance, the Verdon and the Mediterranean). At the top, a statue symbolises Marseille, facing out to sea.

How do I get to Place Castellane?

Place Castellane is very well served by public transport. It can be reached via metro lines 1 and 2, as well as the T3 tram. Several bus routes also pass through there, making it one of Marseille’s main transport hubs.

What is there to do around Place Castellane?

Place Castellane is an excellent starting point for exploring Marseille. You can easily reach the Vieux-Port via Rue de Rome, stroll along Avenue du Prado, enjoy the many restaurants, cafés, cinemas and shops, or pop along to the Prado market.

Is Place Castellane a pedestrianised area?

Yes, Place Castellane has undergone a major urban regeneration project. A large part of the space has been reclaimed for pedestrians, with more areas for strolling and the Cantini fountain, which was restored to working order in 2025, being showcased.

Place Castellane

and its monumental fountain

Located in Marseille’s 6th arrondissement, Place Castellane is one of the city’s most iconic and lively squares. A true crossroads between the Vieux-Port, the Prado and several of Marseille’s main thoroughfares, it is instantly recognisable by its famous monumental fountain. Discover the history of Place Castellane, its iconic statue and this unmissable part of Marseille’s heritage.

A square born of Louis XIV’s vision

The history of Place Castellane dates back to the reign of Louis XIV. The Sun King wished to create a wide thoroughfare linking the Porte d’Aix to the Porte de Rome, both of which were situated on the old ramparts of Marseille. To bring this project to fruition, Rue de Rome – which previously ended at the site of the current Prefecture – was extended to the site of what is now Place Castellane.

In 1774, the Marquis Henri-César de Castellane-Majastre, the landowner, donated the land to the City of Marseille. The new square was then named after him. Keen to see it developed, he also offered to fund the initial works.

In 1798, the first fountain and a washhouse were installed in the centre of the square. Then, in 1811, an obelisk was erected to celebrate the birth of Emperor Napoleon I’s son. It remained on the square for a century before being moved in 1911 to the Mazargues district, where it can still be seen today.

The Cantini Fountain, a gift from a wealthy Marseillais

Apart from its significance in the life of Marseille, Place Castellane is best known today for the fountain standing in its centre, known as the Cantini Fountain. In the early 20th century, a wealthy marble merchant, Jules Cantini, wished to present the city – to which he owed so much – with a magnificent fountain. The commission was entrusted tothe Toulon-based artist André Allar between 1911 and 1913. This monumental structure is particularly impressive: 25 metres high and crafted from Carrara marble. A true architectural gem, the square is visible from afar and undoubtedly lends the roundabout a sense of grandeur.

The statues at the Cantini Fountain

Four large statues stand at the foot of the Cantini Fountain. The first three represent the Mediterranean Sea and three rivers of Provence: the Durance, the Verdon and the Rhône. The fourth depicts the statue of Marseille, facing out to sea; it towers over the fountain, and its plinth depicts the stages of the Rhône’s course, from its source to the sea. Each sculpture draws its inspiration from the work of a well-known artist: the Trevi Fountain, Lorenzo Bernini, François Rude and Raoul Larche. To thank André Allar, the sculptor responsible for the Cantini Fountain, the city of Marseille appointed him a Correspondent of the City’s Academy.

Place Castellane gets a makeover

After many months of redevelopment, Place Castellane unveiled its new look on 15 June 2025 . As part of the extension of tram line 3, which will soon link the north (Capitaine Gèze in the 15th arrondissement) to the south of the city (Hôpitaux Sud, in the 9th arrondissement), the square has been completely redesigned to provide a more tranquil, welcoming and modern urban space.

The old roundabout centred around the Cantini fountain has been replaced by a large pedestrian forecourt. Car traffic has been significantly reduced to allow for better movement of pedestrians and cyclists, thereby promoting sustainable transport. The esplanade is lined with young hackberry trees, which have replaced the former palm trees.

At the heart of this redeveloped space stands a 102-metre-long stone bench, designed by the Marseille-based designer Ora-ïto. All around, café terraces and shaded areas enhance the friendly atmosphere.

This new look for Place Castellane symbolises a turning point in Marseille’s urban planning: a reclaiming of public spaces for the benefit of residents and quality of life, based on an approach that is at once aesthetic, ecological and functional. It marks a radical change for this iconic square in the city of Marseille.

A lively and bustling neighbourhood

Place Castellane opens out onto three major thoroughfares. Firstly, Rue de Rome, a bustling shopping street that often attracts teenagers and young adults in search of highly sought-after items at unbeatable prices. Secondly,Avenue du Prado, with its wide, shaded pavements, is home to one of Marseille’s main markets. Every morning, this market brings together more than 80 stallholders selling fruit and vegetables, flowers, local produce and regional specialities… Thirdly, Boulevard Baille leads to the Timone district.