Palais du Pharo gardens

The Palais du Pharo stands on Pharo hill, at 58 Boulevard Charles Livon in the 7th arrondissement of Marseille, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. The Second Empire palace was built in the 1850s for Napoleon III as a gift for Empress Eugénie, though the imperial couple never lived there. It is now used as a conference centre, so the interior is not open to the public. The draw for visitors is the gardens: broad lawns, shaded trees and a long terrace that look straight across the harbour mouth. From the terrace the view takes in the Fort Saint-Jean, the Mucem and its lattice facade, the Cathédrale de la Major and the sea beyond, and it is regarded as one of the calmest vantage points over the Vieux-Port area. The lawns are popular with locals for picnics, reading and sunset gatherings, and the atmosphere is far quieter than the crowded quays across the water. A visit is short, about 45 minutes, although many people stay longer for sunset, when the sky and water turn orange and the light is best for photographs. The gardens are open in daylight and entry is free. Below the hill, a path leads to the Plage des Catalans, so the two sites can easily be combined. The palace can be reached by bus 83 toward the Corniche, or by a 20-minute walk from the Vieux-Port along the Quai de Rive Neuve. The route is largely flat. Visitors should be aware that the building itself is closed to tourists and that the grounds can be restricted during conferences and events.