It all began in 1850. Indeed, it was at the end of the 19th century that Napoléon III ordered the construction of the palais du Pharo. Its location gives it a commanding view of the Mediterranean Sea. Indeed, it’s this imperial residence that sailors first see when they arrive in the Phocaean city by water. Marseille Secrète invites you to discover 5 secrets of the Palais du Pharo.
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Another emblematic place that Marseille owes to Napoleon III!
It doesn’t take much digging to discover that Louis Napoléon Bonaparte (aka Emperor Napoléon III) is behind the renovation or construction of many of Marseille’s important buildings. Among them, the port of La Joliette, the Hôtel Dieu and the Palais de la Bourse! He was also the man behind the palace we’re interested in, the Pharo! With all the work he’d undertaken in the Phocaean city, he was a frequent visitor. Hence the idea of building himself a conveniently located residence, which would become the Palais du Pharo!
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The Palais du Pharo, a name inherited from the marine world
You don’t have to look very far either to understand the origin of the name “Pharo”. Indeed, the palace takes its name from the mound on which it stands. On this mound, known as the “farot”, stood a lookout facing the sea. Butte, sea, lookout, boats… It’s worth noting that it was from the Latin word “pharus”, derived as “faro” that the word “lighthouse” was born! A lexicology that makes sense when you see the ideal location of the Palais du Pharo!
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The architects’ ball…
The first architect in charge of plans for the Palais du Pharo was the Swiss Samuel Vaucher. He chose the promontory of the Teste More (skull and crossbones), which overlooks the entrance to the port and offers a sublime view of Marseille’s coastline. But one problem followed another. In 1853, he presented the plans to Napoleon III. Not quite satisfied, the latter had them corrected by architect Hector-Martin Lefuel. Delays began: the first stone of the palace was laid 5 years later, in August 1858. As the site was crater-shaped, a great deal of levelling work had to be carried out (bam, another delay). At the same time as the palace was being built, the cathédrale de la Major was also under construction, and the lack of stone supplies created a further slowdown for the Palais du Pharo. Judged responsible, Samuel Vaucher will be fired from the project!
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… and their link with Le Louvre, les Tuileries and la Bonne Mère!
We mentioned architect Hector-Martin Lefuel in issue 4. Well, in addition to having supervised the plans for the Palais du Pharo, he is also responsible for the musée du Louvreand the palais des Tuileries in Paris. Another famous Marseille architect was also involved in the project. To replace Samuel Vaucher, Henri-Jacques Espérandieu was chosen. It was the latter who designed (among others) the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica!
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The many lives of the Palais du Pharo
Built as the residence of Napoleon III and his wife Eugénie, the imperial residence never fulfilled this function: the fall of the Empire took place in 1870 (when construction of the palace was completed), Napoleon III died in 1873 and his wife was forced to cede the residence to the city of Marseille. Until the end of the 19th century, the Palais du Pharo was used as a hospital. In 1890, the Faculty of Medicine moved in. In 1905, the Institute of Tropical Medicine of the Army Health Service moved in. From 1936 to 2013, the school housed research laboratories dedicated to tropical diseases. The building on the side of the palace was once the headquarters of the University of Aix-Marseille, and is now a conference center. Concerts by the Opéra de Marseille are also held here.