Bastide Marin, située au quartier de Garoutier
MonumentHidden Treasure
Bastide Marin, située au quartier de Garoutier, located in La Ciotat (Bouches-du-Rhône), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- La Ciotat, Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 43.2010, 5.6182
- Mérimée Reference
- PA13000069
A hidden gem in La Ciotat, this 17th-century country house, built by a dynasty of ocean-going captains, features a double-helical staircase and Baroque fireplaces of rare elegance.
History
Nestling in the Garoutier district of La Ciotat, Bastide Marin is one of those Provencal residences that conceal an unexpectedly rich interior beneath a sober façade. Built in the second half of the 17th century for the Marin family, shipowners and sea captains of Italian origin who grew rich in the Levantine trade, it is the perfect embodiment of the social ambition and refined taste of the Provençal maritime bourgeoisie at its peak. What immediately distinguishes Bastide Marin from the many holiday homes in the region is the striking contrast between the classical restraint of its exterior facades and the decorative generosity of its interior spaces. Where the bastide in Aix or Marseille is dominated by its discreet stone facade, it's inside that the client's wealth is on display: a double-revolution staircase spanning three levels, a real technical and aesthetic feat, and sumptuous monumental fireplaces in chased plaster in the Baroque style, testifying to a level of craftsmanship that is now extremely rare. For the discerning visitor, a visit to Bastide Marin is like walking through several strata of Provencal history: the majestic volumes of the 17th century coexist harmoniously with the 18th and 19th century additions, which have refined the original spirit of the place without altering it. The atmosphere is both intimate and grandiose, enhanced by the warmth of the local stone and the quality of the interior ornamentation. The setting of La Ciotat, a port facing the Mediterranean and trade with the Levant, gives this bastide its full meaning: it is the direct result of fortunes built on the seas, prestigious architecture anchored in an exceptional maritime territory. Listed as a Historic Monument since 2013, it now enjoys official recognition that guarantees its preservation for future generations.
Architecture
Bastide Marin is fully in keeping with the tradition of the 17th-century bastides built in Aix and Marseille, characterised by an orderly layout and a sober facade, where the regularity of the openings and the quality of the local stone ensure elegance without ostentation. The ground plan follows the classic layout of a Provençal holiday home, developed over several levels around a main volume with a hierarchical structure, and with an orientation designed to take advantage of the Mediterranean breezes and the light of the Midi. It is inside that Bastide Marin reveals all its architectural ambition. The centrepiece is the double spiral staircase, developed over three levels: a rare and sophisticated device, inherited from the great Italian and Spanish noble houses, which allows fluid circulation and a theatrical staging of the ascent to the upper floors. This technical solution reflects a detailed knowledge of contemporary architectural models, probably imported by a family with Transalpine roots and extensive business contacts. The other remarkable feature of the interior is the monumental Baroque-style chiselled plaster fireplaces: their relief decorations, combining scrolls, garlands and architectural motifs, vividly express the ornamental language of the second half of the 17th century. These elements, fragile and rarely preserved in this state, make the bastide a precious witness to the decorative arts of Provence in the Grand Siècle.
Related Figures
La famille Marin — capitaines au long cours d'origine italienne, commanditaires et premiers propriétaires de la bastideLes négociants du Levant — réseau commercial dans lequel s'inscrivait la fortune des Marin, acteurs collectifs de l'essor maritime provençalLes artisans plâtriers provençaux du XVIIe siècle — auteurs des cheminées baroques, représentants d'un savoir-faire ornemental aujourd'hui rarissime
Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bastide Marin, située au quartier de Garoutier located?
Bastide Marin, située au quartier de Garoutier is located in La Ciotat, Bouches-du-Rhône department, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, France.
When was Bastide Marin, située au quartier de Garoutier built?
Bastide Marin, située au quartier de Garoutier dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Bastide Marin, située au quartier de Garoutier open to visitors?
Bastide Marin, située au quartier de Garoutier is currently closed to visitors.