The villa Méditerranée < > the docks

From the J4, "Marseille's new cultural centre" to the Place de La Joliette, at the heart of the new Euroméditerranée business centre, this tour provides an understanding of the difficulties of opening the commercial port up to the city, and the solutions that were implemented.



villa Méditerranée < > les docks Villa méditerannéee la station sanitaire aménagement de la place de la Major l'évéché Villa d'Este siège de la SNCM le J1 Les docks de la Joliette
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Former SNCM Headquarters

The Majesty of Gaston Castel on the Piers

Designed by Gaston Castel in 1928 for the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique shipping company, the building was extended in 1945 by the same architect. It features Castel's mastery of decorative arts. The architect's other notable works in Marseille include the 1927 Monument aux Morts des Armées d’Orient et des Terres Lointaines (near the Vallon des Auffes) and the 1931 Prison des Baumettes jail. It is composed of two buildings, featuring a monumental facade on the Des Dames boulevard and an office building at the rear. The clocktower on the corner of the coastal boulevard symbolizes the Compagnie's modernity and punctuality. The facade is decorated with Art Deco cornice elements and is divided into two parts: the ground floor with its large bays, separated by channels that are also found on the side facades, and a large concrete awning topped with two levels of cross-brace-decorated windows. After being vacated by the SNCM, the majestic building was projected to be converted into a casino. It is instead being renovated into luxury residences


Architect :
Gaston Castel
Year : 1928-1945
Type :office
Address :
61 Boulevard des Dames, 13002 Marseille
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