A jewel in Marseille’s heritage
Tucked away behind the Town Hall, the Maison Diamantée is one of the most iconic buildings in Marseille’s historic centre. It owes its name to its remarkable façade, adorned with diamond-pointed bossages – a decorative feature characteristic of Renaissance architecture. Alongside the Hôtel de Cabre, it ranks among the city’s oldest residences. It is generally thought to have been built between the late 16th century and the early 17th century, although the exact date remains unknown. Built on the site of the former gardens of the Palais de Provence, it is said to have been commissioned by wealthy Italian and Spanish merchants, whose influence is evident in its architecture, inspired by the Florentine palaces of the Medici family.
Over the centuries, the Maison Diamantée was home to several prominent Marseille families, notably the Saboulin-Bollena and the Castellane-Majastre families. From the late 19th century onwards, it was occupied by dock workers and Italian immigrants. As the last remaining example of the former patrician mansions that once brought prestige to Marseille, it illustrates the history of a city open to the Mediterranean and shaped by trade. In recognition of its heritage value, the Maison Diamantée has been listed as a Historic Monument since 10 November 1925.
