Located in the 7th arrondissement of Marseille, Fort Saint-Nicolas is a military fort overlooking the Old Port. Listed as a Historic Monument since 1969, it is gradually opening to the public while continuing its restoration, through the "Citadel of Marseille" project, transforming itself into a place of life, creativity, and culture open to all.
A Little History...
Built on the orders of Louis XIV between 1660 and 1664 by the Chevalier de Clerville, Fort Saint-Nicolas was intended to both monitor the city and the hostile inhabitants of Marseille, as well as to protect it from attacks from the sea.
Louis XIV wanted to build a citadel in the "cleanest" part of the city. For its construction, stones from the old Porte Royale were used, as well as those from Cap Couronne.
During the French Revolution, the people of Marseille, concerned about the threat the fort could pose, undertook its destruction. The National Assembly ordered a halt to the destruction in order to preserve this defensive structure. Restoration work then began. In 1860, during the construction of the Imperial Residence, Palais du Pharo, Fort Saint-Nicolas was split in two to allow vehicular traffic on Boulevard Charles Livon, connecting the Old Port and the Pharo district. Still divided today, the fort consists of a portion bordering the sea: Fort Ganteaume, and another, on the landward side: Fort d'Entrecasteaux.
In the meantime, the Fort served as a detention center until the end of the Second World War.
From then on, Fort Ganteaume (the seaward side of Fort Saint-Nicolas) houses the military club and the officers' mess. Fort d'Entrecasteaux – the Citadel of Marseille – (the landward side of Fort Saint Nicolas), for its part, is open to the public for visits.
A long-awaited reopening…
After more than 350 years, Fort Saint-Nicolas is finally opening its doors to the public. Since 2021, the city of Marseille has entrusted the management of Fort Saint-Nicolas to the "Citadel of Marseille" association, whose ambition is to restore and transform this defensive military fort into a place of life, sharing, and culture.
Visitors can now explore this historic monument and discover the secrets it holds.
Guided tours allow visitors to delve into the history of the citadel and understand its strategic importance over the centuries.
Exhibitions, educational workshops, and special events are planned to celebrate this new chapter in the history of the citadel and Fort Saint-Nicolas.
The fort's gardens are now freely accessible. You can admire an exceptional panorama from there.
Citadel of Marseille
Montée du Souvenir Français
13007 Marseille
https://www.marseilletourisme.fr/fr/que-voir/patrimoine-culture/monuments/fort-saint-nicolas/
