Fontaine Castellane

The Basics

No matter why you’re in Marseille, you’re sure to pass through the central hub of Place Castellane, where cars, taxis, metro, and trams interconnect on their journey through the city. The square’s central feature is the impressive Fontaine Castellane, a water feature with carved sculptures that represent the Mediterranean and the tributaries of the Rhone river. In the center of the fountain is a fluted column topped by a statue that represents the city of Marseille.

Things to Know Before You Go

• There are cafes, shops, and a cinema in the buildings surrounding the square.
• The fountain was built between 1911 and 1913.
• The sidewalks around the area are wheelchair accessible.

How to Get There

The fountain is located in Place Castellane, in the center of Marseille, where Avenue du Prado meets the Boulevard Baille. The closest metro station is Castellane. The tram #3 also stops at Place Castellane.

When to Get There

Most people visit the Place Castellane on their way to a final destination; the seafront and the Old Port are a short journey away, as are Marseille’s museums. The cafe terraces are a good place to stop for a bite to eat or a quick coffee stop while sightseeing.

Visit the Chateau d’If Fortress

The Chateau d’If is a former French naval fortress immortalized by Alexandre Dumas in The Count of Monte Cristo as the site of main character Edmond Dantes’ imprisonment. It was used as a prison for hundreds of years in real life too, and you can see the jail cells for yourself by hopping on a boat shuttle and heading over to this atmospheric fortress surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea.