View over the Pharo Palace

The Palais du Pharo, an imperial belvedere over Marseille

At the entrance of the Vieux-Port, the Palais du Pharo offers a very fine view of the Phocaean city. Built in the imperial era, it dominates the sea and the city. The Marseille audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this palace and its exceptional setting, one of the finest viewpoints over Marseille.

A palace commissioned by Napoleon III

The Palais du Pharo was built in the nineteenth century, in the era of the Second Empire, on a promontory dominating the entrance of the Vieux-Port. Commissioned by Napoleon III, it offered an unobstructed view of the sea and the city. Today, the palace hosts events and its park is open to the public, offering one of the finest panoramas of Marseille, the port and the open sea.

What to see

You enjoy above all the exceptional panorama of the Vieux-Port, the sea and the city, from the Pharo park. The palace, an elegant Second Empire building, completes the setting. It is a much-appreciated place to stroll and relax, ideal for admiring Marseille from a privileged angle, at the entrance of the port.

Practical information

The Palais du Pharo lies on a promontory dominating the entrance of the Vieux-Port of Marseille, reachable on foot and by public transport. The park is a freely accessible public space, offering the panorama; the palace hosts events and conferences, access to which depends on the programme. It is best to enquire for any interior visit.

Who had the Palais du Pharo built?

Napoleon III, in the nineteenth century; the palace dominates the entrance of the Vieux-Port and offers one of the finest panoramas of Marseille.

What can you see from the Palais du Pharo?

An exceptional panorama of the Vieux-Port, the sea and the city of Marseille, from the park that surrounds the palace.