HeritagePhoto Wikimedia CommonsPalais du Pharo
France
Pharo palace & place offers a moment of greenery and magnificent views of the Old Port and the Grand Port of Marseille. In addition, the history of this palace, erected by Napoleon the 3rd, will allow us to understand the considerable influence of this emperor on the development of Marseille. The Marseille of today is truly born from the Second Empire, and we will take the opportunity to study this through a map of the city, by retracing urban development from that time.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the Palais du Pharo, a site that represents the final flourish of imperial ambition in Marseille. As a historian of the Second Empire, I find this location particularly striking for its strategic and aesthetic…
Listen in the app2The Promontory Garden — A Mediterranean Vista
We begin our exploration in the Emile Lube Gardens, the expansive green space that surrounds the palace. This is, without a doubt, one of the most stunning vantage points in Marseille. …
Listen in the app3The Imperial Facade — Architecture of the Second Empire
Now, let us turn our attention to the palace itself. The architecture is a prime example of the 'style Louis Treize' that was popular during the Second Empire. …
Listen in the app4The Cour d'Honneur — A Legacy of Diplomacy
As we walk into the central courtyard, the Cour d'Honneur, we are standing in the ceremonial heart of the palace. Although the Emperor never held court here, the space has fulfilled its destiny as a site of high-level diplomacy…
Listen in the app5The Maritime Gateway — Overlooking the Channel
From this specific vantage point on the edge of the palace terrace, you are looking directly down into the 'Goulet,' the narrow channel that serves as the entrance to the Old Harbor. This is the most strategically important water…
Listen in the app6The Catalan Connection — Towards the Southern Beaches
As we walk toward the southern edge of the palace grounds, we look down toward the 'Plage des Catalans.' This small but famous beach takes its name from a group of Catalan fishermen who settled here in the eighteenth century. It…
Listen in the app7The Monument to the Heroes of the Sea
On our way back toward the center of the gardens, we encounter the Monument to the Heroes of the Sea. This poignant sculpture is dedicated to the sailors and merchants of Marseille who lost their lives at sea. …
Listen in the app8Closing
As our tour of the Palais du Pharo comes to an end, I invite you to take one last look at the horizon. We have explored a building that was meant to be a private imperial refuge but became a public symbol of knowledge and…
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What is Palais du Pharo?
Palais du Pharo is a place in France with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | France |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 43.2944, 5.3582 |
| Last updated |
