Palais Longchamps 02/08/2014 13h57
It's always nice to visit this palais at the end of the Boulevard Longchamps. It's gardens, ponds, fountains and statues are beautiful. Overlooking the entrance from the château d'eau where the water from the Durance river is entering the city of Marseille.
Palais Longchamps
The Palais Longchamp is a monument in the 4th arrondisement of Marseille: It houses the city's museum of fine arts and natural history museum. The surrounding park (the Parc Longchamp) is listed by the French Ministry of Culture as one of the Notable Gardens of France.
This palace was originally created to celebrate the construction of the Canal de Marseille, which was built to bring water from the Durance River to Marseille. Although the foundation stone was laid by the Duke of Orleans on 15 November 1839, the building took 30 years to complete, partly because of the enormous expense and partly because of difficulties with local regulations. Designed by the architect Henry Esperandieu, the building was centered on the structure and elaborate fountain known as the chateau d'eau ("water castle").
[ Source and more information: Wikipedia - Palais Longchamps ]
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