France’s King Louis XIV, 1660, commissioned the building of Fort Saint-Jean at the entrance to Marseilles’ Old Port (along with Fort Saint-Nicholas on the opposite side of the port’s entrance). This location was the site of an earlier fortification occupied by the Military Order of the Knights Hospitalier of Saint-John. Unlike other fortifications constructed to defend the city against invading forces, these two forts were built in response to a local uprising against the province’s governor. Thus, its canons were pointed inwards towards the city, rather than outwards towards the sea.
In April of 1790, the fort was seized by a revolutionary mob which decapitated the garrison commander when he refused to surrender the fortress. Throughout the French Revolution, Firt Saint-Jean was used as a prison. Following the overthrow of noted statesman Maximilian de Robespierre (in 1794), 100 Jacobin ( an influential political club) prisoners held in the fort were massacred. Throughout the 19th century, and into the early 20th century, the fort was under the control of the French Army, which used it as a barracks.
Between 1830 and 1960, when the French Foreign Legion was based in North Africa, Fort Saint-Jean was used as a final stop-off point for recruit. It was also occupied during World War II by German Troops. During the liberation of Marseilles in 1944, an ammunition depot, inside the fort, exploded, destroying its historic battlements and several buildings. Repairs and reconstruction of the damage did not commence until 1967 and took four years to complete.
Today, Fort Saint-Jean is a top Marseilles tourist attraction, offering wonderful views of its Old Port.
In April of 1790, the fort was seized by a revolutionary mob which decapitated the garrison commander when he refused to surrender the fortress. Throughout the French Revolution, Firt Saint-Jean was used as a prison. Following the overthrow of noted statesman Maximilian de Robespierre (in 1794), 100 Jacobin ( an influential political club) prisoners held in the fort were massacred. Throughout the 19th century, and into the early 20th century, the fort was under the control of the French Army, which used it as a barracks.
Between 1830 and 1960, when the French Foreign Legion was based in North Africa, Fort Saint-Jean was used as a final stop-off point for recruit. It was also occupied during World War II by German Troops. During the liberation of Marseilles in 1944, an ammunition depot, inside the fort, exploded, destroying its historic battlements and several buildings. Repairs and reconstruction of the damage did not commence until 1967 and took four years to complete.
Today, Fort Saint-Jean is a top Marseilles tourist attraction, offering wonderful views of its Old Port.
Having guarded the entrance to Marseilles Old Port (both from internal strife and invading forces), Fort Saint-Jean now sees duty as a museum and top tourist attraction.
This view of the fort was taken from the opposite shore of the port.
An archival photo of Fort Saint-Jean with sailing ships nearby.
While this courtyard within the fort is currently set-up for visitors to relax in the sunshine, we can only speculate about its purpose when the fort was active.
We certainly enjoyed it.
This is an upper courtyard with the watch tower in the background.
Located in the lower courtyard of the fort (as viewed from an upper terrace) it’s chapel serviced the religious needs of its occupants.
Once known as “Officers’ Country”, the rooms off this corridor now house museum exhibits about the history of the fort.
We got spectacular views of Marseilles’ Old Port from Fort Saint- Jean.
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