Fort Saint-Jean
It's the fort that stands to the right when facing the Old Port. It's an integral part of a military complex inseparable from the History of Marseille. A former commandery of the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem in the 12th century during the Crusades, Fort Saint Jean served as a departure point for troops heading to the Holy Land. It faces Fort Saint Nicolas.
FORT SAINT JEAN THROUGHOUT HISTORY
It's the fort that stands to the right when facing the Old Port. It's an integral part of a military complex inseparable from the History of Marseille. A former commandery of the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem in the 12th century during the Crusades, Fort Saint Jean served as a departure point for troops heading to the Holy Land. It faces Fort Saint Nicolas.
The commandery is composed of a chapel, a church, a hospital, and the commander's palace. The ensemble was completed in 1365. The large square tower was built by King René between 1447 and 1453, aiming to protect the port more effectively. The visible and characteristic round tower dates back to the mid-17th century.
Construction of Fort Saint Jean
In 1664, shipowners wanted to fortify the site and top it with a lookout tower that would be visible from 20 km away from the Marseille roadstead, to facilitate the task of merchant ships.
It's called the Tower of the Lantern or Round Tower. Fort Saint Jean was built by order of Louis XIV from 1668 to 1671 after the expulsion of the Hospitallers. In 1679, following a rebellion by the people of Marseille, it was isolated from the rest of the city with the digging of a moat by Vauban. The complex retained a military vocation until the revolution, before becoming a state prison. During the Second World War, the Fort, which served as a munitions depot for the Germans, was heavily damaged by an accidental explosion.
A Monument at the Heart of Marseille's History
Today, Fort Saint Jean is one of the most visited monuments in Marseille. It's connected to the old port pier by a footbridge, all of which is an integral part of the MUCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations). The perspective offered on the port and the roadstead of Marseille, as well as on the footbridge, is truly enchanting.
Between history, culture, and spectacular panorama, the experience cannot leave anyone indifferent. That's why it's an essential stop on your visit to the Phocaean City.
If you go to Fort Saint Jean, Marseille Tourism invites you to take one of the circuits of the Petit Train de Marseille. You can thus discover Marseille by crisscrossing the streets of Le Panier or marveling at the magnificent view from Notre Dame de la Garde. If you're interested, go to the ticket office on the Old Port! And why not choose a Segway rental or a bike rental to continue your visit to Marseille?
