MAIRIE/HÔTEL DE VILLE (CITY COUNCIL) (AN)

Where are we? Quai du Port, 13002 

Historical and chronological situation: Modern Age 

Introduction: We are in front of the City Hall of Marseille, in the heart of the city, in the Vieux-Port no less. It is an architectural building of Provencal Baroque style built in the 17th century. 

History: The town hall of Marseille is located on the site of the former "Maison du Village" in the 13th century. Between 1653 and 1673, the building we see today was built, and in the following years it was renovated and enlarged by many architects, among whom we know the names of the brothers Pierre and Gaspar Puget and Mathieu Portal.  

Here we can see the monument surviving the German occupation of the city during the Second World War and its various bombings. 

As can be seen, there are two buildings connected by an archway bridge: one at the front, which opens directly onto the port quay, and another at the back, which opens onto Bargemon Square. The first one, called Puget Pavilion, is characterized by a façade composed of two symmetrical bodies crowned by large triangular pediments connected by a wide balcony supported by columns. Secondly, we have the Bargemon Pavilion, which includes the group of offices of the different municipalities. 

Finally, the interior of this majestic building also has large halls, which previously included a room for meetings between traders and a room for meetings organised by the city government, as well as the Deliberation Hall, where there are various statues, busts and commemorative plaques and, finally, a room exclusively reserved for temporary exhibitions.  

Official website: https://eservices.marseille.fr/