The Islands of Endoume
Nestled in the majestic bay of Marseille, the Endoume Islands remain a preserved sanctuary, barely touched by urban bustle. This small archipelago, composed of Degaby Island and a few other minor reefs, offers an exceptional panorama and a tranquil escape far from traditional tourist circuits.
GABY ISLAND, QUEEN OF THE ARCHIPELAGO
If you stroll through the Endoume neighborhood in Marseille, located below the Corniche, you will catch a glimpse of the "Islet of the Hanged" and the two islands forming the Endoume archipelago. Just 300 meters from the coast, Gaby Island is the most well-known. It houses the Fort de Tourville, built in 1703. Initially, it served to strengthen the military power of the city of Marseille. In 1861, the fort underwent some development works, giving it the appearance it has today. Long nicknamed "the island of parties," it fell into a deep sleep before recently regaining its festive atmosphere.
AN EXCEPTIONAL NATURAL SETTING
Marseille, its calanques, its coastline dotted with islands… What a refreshing and soothing panorama, ideal for a little sea trip! To satisfy your thirst for discovery, the island is home to a natural well and a sea cave. Revealing the depths of the Mediterranean, its changing waters are tinted with deep blue or emerald green. Looking around, you can see the Rocher des Pendus overlooking the Malmousque cove. The second island that constitutes this archipelago is Daume Island (or Doume Island), which indeed gave its name to the Endoume neighborhood.
DID YOU KNOW?
After the modernization of military armaments, the fort lost its utility. When it was restructured, the army handed over the fort to a wealthy Marseille industrialist. André Laval acquired it and gifted it to his wife, a famous artist from the Belle Époque, Liane Degaby. In the 1920s, due to looting and acts of vandalism, the fort was abandoned. Subsequently, the owners were as numerous as the investors' projects. It was finally in 2001 that the island was purchased to become a sumptuous venue for receptions and seminars.