Le Jardin de Magalone, Marseille

Magalone Garden (Jardin de la Magalone), a renowned public park, holds the prestigious designation of being one of the Notable Gardens of France, as recognized by the French Ministry of Culture. Spanning across a lush 1.4 hectares, this charming park envelopes an elegant 18th-century bastide, a delightful Provençal manor house. The bastide and the garden are thoughtfully divided by two terraces adorned with ornate fountains, symbolizing the majestic Rhône and the serene Saône Rivers.

True to the principles of a classical French Garden, the layout of Magalone Garden boasts exquisite parterres, meticulously designed broderie of boxwood, statues artistically representing the four seasons, and two serene basins that add to its allure.

The bastide's origins trace back to the 17th century, with subsequent construction taking place in 1713 and continuing throughout the 18th century. Fast forward to 1891, when Madame de Ferry, the rightful inheritor of the estate, took the initiative to restore the bastide to its former glory. To craft a modern version of a classic garden, she enlisted the services of the esteemed landscape architect Édouard André. Under his guidance, the garden welcomed stone basins, enchanting fountains, and a selection of statues, five of which were originally sourced from the esteemed Château Grignan.

In the 1980s, the city of Marseille acquired the property, cementing its place as a treasured gem of the region. Today, the bastide finds new purpose as the City of music (Cité de la musique), hosting captivating concerts and enlightening conferences in the picturesque bastide and its surrounding garden.