CITADEL OF MARSEILLE Renovation & transformation of a military fort in a new cultural place
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About this good practice
The overall issue was to open the site to the public and create cultural contents (events, artists & scientific residencies) in a challenging context:
- a site never open to the public;
- a military fort not easily compatible with the new requirements of a cultural and creativity place;
- Restrictions due to classification as historic monument
Initiated in 2021, the place was open to activities from 2021 and to the public in 2024. The main objectives were reached:
- Restore and transform buildings and gardens
- Reconnecting citizens to their heritage and history with calls for participation and memories,
- Sustainable, ecological and inclusive management (incl. people in difficulty for stone-restoration works, zero artificialization soils)
- Events and artists residencies to think about the heritage through contemporary researchers and artists (digital, immersive, innovation)
The practise is linked to tourism and revalorization of cultural heritage. It was implemented through national and regional calls “Reinventing Heritage” and “exemplary touristic sites” and local public partnership and a private company which operates. Business plans for touristic & economic opportunities were supported by Rising Sud, agency of the Region.
Stakeholders: Group SOS, national private company with social purpose
Public local and national authorities
Historians, archaeologists, architects, artists.
Beneficiaries: local inhabitants, artists, local and international tourism
Resources needed
Creation of an association with a new staff
Emphytheotic lease from the city of Marseille
For renovation at date: 4,1M€ investment costs with 60% public funds, 40% private and bank funds. Region 704.000€ State 1.405.751€, local public authorities 777.450€
For calls for tourism: Region 228.812€
Evidence of success
The practise is considered as good because CCIs and cultural assets are a central key of this urban renovation project and public touristic strategies; because the renovated site offers also social and ecological assets.
- first opening to public with 8000 people during the week-end of Heritage.
- Laureate of Remedspace / New European Bauhaus.
- Partner of Hero, Erasmus programm ecological and inclusive restoration
- 300 jobless people employed per year on the restoration.
Potential for learning or transfer
The practise addresses challenges such as improving public services, accessibility, developing touristic attractiveness, economic growth, and ecological challenges, in the line of Interreg and Cherry objectives.
It represents a good practice of public/private partnership which can be applied to different heritage sites and redirection of contents. While various public funds are involved, using a private operator builds an economic sustainable model.
Innovative values of the project:
Innovative and creative cultural assets to revitalize a Heritage site
Participation of citizens for a better appropriation
Inclusive approach with integrating people in difficulty
Sustainable development in restoration methods.
The practise is easily replicable in different regions with heritage assets to renovate with a potential for innovative contents.
It is a good example of revitalization of a historical site through CCIs and tourism, craftmanship, social inclusion and sustainable development.