Palais du Pharo (Pharo Palace), Marseille

Palais du Pharo (Pharo Palace), Marseille (must see)

No surprise, the promontory on which the Pharo Palace was built is called "Pharo" after the bay to the west. The hill used to be called "Tete de More". The palace itself is a massive building located at the mouth of the Old Port.

This was intended to be an imperial residence. Prince Louis-Napoleon commissioned architect Vaucher in 1852 to find a location and make plans. The project was taken over by Napoleon III's architect, Lefuel and the city donated the land.

Napoleon III never got a chance to stay there before he died and the Empress Eugenie gave the Pharo back to the city of Marseille. In 1904 The palace was made over to be a medical school.

The palace currently hosts meetings, fairs and conferences. The original interior spaces and the extension can hold up to 2500 people. After 1870 imperial ornaments on the outside of the building were removed so that no indication of the empire would remain.

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Palais du Pharo (Pharo Palace) on Map

Sight Name: Palais du Pharo (Pharo Palace)
Sight Location: Marseille, France (See walking tours in Marseille)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Marseille, France

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