The Citadel of St. Nicolas is the largest fortress in Marseille, guarding the Vieux Port and situated on its southern shore. As it has no watchtower like the opposite Fort Saint-Jean, it is less conspicuous, though in fact noticeably larger.

Like Fort St. Jean, the citadel of Saint-Nicolas was built in the 17th century between 1660 and 1668, and rather than protecting the town from outside danger, it protected the governor from the uprising of the local inhabitants.

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Admission and opening hours

The Citadel of Marseille was only opened to the public in 2024 because until then it was a military facility.

There is no permanent museum inside for now, but you can admire the very well-preserved original architecture and the nice views.

Currently, only the outdoor areas, the walls and the gardens are open from Wednesday to Sunday from 12:00-22:00. On Mondays and Tuesdays it remains closed.

Admission is free.

Official website: citadelledemarseille.org/practical-infos