Visiting the Palais du Pharo
In Marseille, overlooking the harbor entrance, you can admire the Palais du Pharo and its surrounding gardens. This grand building from the second half of the 19th century now hosts conferences and various public events.
History
Between 1800 and 1850, the maritime trade of Marseille was booming and the city population nearly doubled. Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte focused on building and renovating city infrastructure. In 1852, he funded the construction of the Palais de la Bourse (Stock Exchange Palace) and the renovation of the Hôtel-Dieu and the Port de la Joliette. The French leader spent enough time in Marseille that he decided to build a residence there. The city government was enthusiastic and contributed one million francs toward the land purchase.
Emperor Napoleon III commissioned the Swiss architect Samuel Vaucher to design the imperial residence in November 1852.
After four years of grading the land, the cornerstone was laid in August 1858, but construction stalled by November and slowed significantly due to funding issues. Vaucher was blamed for the delays and replaced by Henri-Jacques Espérandieu. Despite these efforts, the palace remained unfinished when the Empire fell in 1871, and the Emperor never stayed there. Empress Eugénie eventually gifted the palace to the city in 1884.
The building later served as a hospital, and the lateral wings housed the Faculté de Médecine (Medical School) followed by the Institut de Médecine Tropicale des Armées (Institute of Tropical Medicine of the Armed Forces). Since 2012, it has served as the headquarters for the Université d'Aix-Marseille.
The Palais du Pharo
Today, the palace functions as a venue for reception spaces managed by the city of Marseille. You will find glass-walled rooms built beneath the palace gardens that offer a panoramic view of the Old Port.
As a space that bridges modern life and French history, the Palais du Pharo is a notable stop during a trip to Marseille.
The perfect spot for a break away from the crowds. I stopped there to have a quiet lunch on a bench. While the site is mostly used for hosting conventions, it has a beautiful garden with a splendid view of the Vieux-Port and the Mucem. The Palais also houses a free museum. I didn't go in, as I preferred to enjoy the lovely outdoor setting, which is definitely more worth the trip.