Fort Saint Nicolas, Marseille, France

Fort Saint Nicolas is on the left when facing the Old Port of Marseille. Fort Saint Nicolas is a military building used not so much to protect the city from invasions, but above all to protect itself from the people of Marseille and their independent and rebellious spirit. It faces Fort Saint Jean, located on the other side of the Old Port. He is a witness of Marseille's history.

Thus, in 1660, following a series of political unrest followed by revolts, Louis XIV ordered the deployment of troops and the construction of a citadel 'at the place in the city that would be considered the cleanest', i. e. to allow the surveillance of the city but also its defence against an attack coming from the sea.

The current location was therefore chosen, behind the Saint-Victor Abbey. On March 2, 1660, the construction site was launched during the King's visit. Given the size of the project and the nature of the building, the construction was completed in record time, in only 4 years.During the French Revolution, the crowd, suspicious of the threat, both physical and symbolic, that Fort Saint Nicolas could represent, began to destroy it. But the Assemblée Nationale, anxious to preserve a structure for the defence of the city, ordered to stop the demolition of the fortress and began its restoration. In 1860, Fort Saint Nicolas was cut in half by the route of the new Boulevard Charles Livon.

Today, the fortress is still in two parts, the portion bordering the sea has been named Fort Ganteaume and houses the military circle and the officers' mess. The part on the land side, the high fort, is called Fort d'Entrecasteaux. Only part of the complex is open to the public and can be visited. The opportunity to climb up the ramparts of this Monument de Marseille and admire the superb view they offer of the port and the city of Marseille. The complex has been classified as a Historic Monument since 1969.

Castles and fortifications in France

User Reviews

Dmytro Burdyga (2 months ago)
The Citadelle de Marseille, also known as Fort Saint-Nicolas, is a striking historical landmark that reflects Marseille's strategic importance and turbulent history. Constructed in 1660 by Louis XIV, the fort was designed not only to defend the city but also to maintain royal control over its citizens, who had a history of rebellion. Perched on a hill overlooking the Old Port, its imposing architecture offers a vivid reminder of its dual purpose as both a military stronghold and a symbol of royal authority. Today, the fort serves as a captivating destination for history enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. While parts of the site are not fully open to the public due to its status as a military installation, the surrounding area provides spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea and the city skyline. Guided tours occasionally delve into the site's history, offering insights into its construction, function, and the significant role it played in shaping Marseille’s past. Its blend of historical intrigue and breathtaking scenery makes it a must-visit spot for those exploring Marseille.

xenax cze (3 months ago)
Beautiful place where you can see all view on Marseile can and see :))

Cherry Kwok (5 months ago)
I visited this Fort on a guided tour at 10am on a Saturday. The guide Lola was amazing. She explained the history of why the Fort was built, the various stones used to build the walls, the changes in the use of the fort etc. I asked her many questions and she answered all of them, showing her professionalism and knowledge about the city. The association in charge of the restoration is doing a meaningful job in helping people such as immigrants, people who have not been working for sometime, and people who would like to change careers to integrate by giving them jobs and classes on how to restore historical buildings, after which they may go work elsewhere. It’s a non-profit association and I have so much respect for their work. Last but not least, the highlight of the tour must be the cute and friendly cat, Nicky, who’s the queen of the fort who followed us around for quite a bit. I wish I could pat her more and feed her. I cannot recommend this tour more. I just hope the website can offer more clear information about the tours, such as what language the tours will be in and the timetable, so that more non-French speakers could benefit from the tours.

metalpsyche82 (6 months ago)
Unfortunately in large part closed as of July 2024. Otherwise it would have been amazing, I guess

An Na (6 months ago)
It's a nice place to visit in the evening when it's getting dark, as you can see beautiful sunset. The place is under reconstruction, so you won't be able to fully explore it. In the evening it is pretty full with people. The entrance is free.

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