Marseille City Hall

Marseille City Hall

Marseille City Hall is located on the seafront in Marseille's 2nd arrondissement, on the northern shore of the Old Port. This 17th-century building was classified as a French historical monument in 1948. The city hall is one of the few historic buildings in Marseille’s Old Port that survived World War II, and it is situated near the picturesque Marseille Cathedral and the Roman Docks Museum.

The site of the city hall was originally the location of the municipal council, which dates back to the 13th century and was primarily used as a meeting place for Marseille’s merchants and consuls. In the 15th century, the Palace of the Nations was built, with the new council hall located on the ground floor and the consulate council hall on the first floor. Marseille City Hall was eventually constructed in the 17th century, symbolizing the new political status granted to the city by King Louis XIV. During the French Revolution, the city hall was suspected of harboring Federalists and nearly faced demolition. In 1914, architect Clastrier modified the roof, altering its overall appearance. In 1943, during the German occupation of the region, widespread destruction occurred, yet the city hall was one of the few buildings to survive.

After various modifications and expansions over different historical periods, the current Marseille City Hall consists of a front building and a rear building, connected by a long corridor. The structure commonly referred to as the city hall is the front building, which is an important representative of 17th-century French architectural art in the city.

Hôtel de ville de Marseille

Reason to visit: The most important 17th-century architectural landmark in Marseille

Continent: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region: France[France]

Province/State: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region [Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region]

City: Marseille [Marseille]