Gazing at Villa La Palestine, you might wonder about the story behind this unique architectural gem. Villa La Palestine stands as a testament to one man’s love for the Orient. Let’s uncover its secrets together.
Villa La Palestine is located in Marseille’s 16th arrondissement. It sits at 126 Plage de l’Estaque. It is directly across from the Espace Mistral. This villa is a stunning example of neo-Moorish architecture. It reflects a period of lavish homes along the Marseilles coast. These homes showcased the owners’ unique tastes.
Pierre Leclerc, a wealthy master tailor from Bourges, commissioned the villa. He had a deep fascination with the Orient. The Villa La Palestine was built in the early 20th century. Inside, it features incredible frescoes. These frescoes depict oriental scenes and a stunning patio.
Around 1906, the Leclerc family was captivated by a neo-Moorish house model. They saw it at the Universal Exhibition in Paris. They hired a local company, the Olive Frères, to build their dream home in L’Estaque. Even then, L’Estaque was a popular tourist spot.
If you stand facing Villa La Palestine from the Chemin du Littoral you can see a remarkable rock garden. Look to the left. It features two atlantes supporting the grotto’s vault. The villa remains private property. It is still owned by the Leclerc family.
The construction of Villa La Palestine occurred between 1902 and 1905. Leclerc, who made his fortune in textiles, wanted a unique home. The Olive Frères, a local masonry firm, brought his vision to life. They based the design on a model from a universal exhibition.
Villa La Palestine showcases Moorish architectural elements. These include a minaret tower, merlons, and horseshoe arches. You will also see decorative reliefs, earthenware tiles, and polychrome finishes. Inside, two superimposed loggias boast painted decor. The decor is inspired by Hispano-Moorish styles. It is a rare surviving example of neo-Moorish design on the Mediterranean coast.
In 1993, Villa La Palestine was listed as a historical monument. This recognized its cultural importance. The listing includes the villa and its gardens. The gardens feature unique landscaping and structures.
The west side of the villa includes a two-story belvedere tower. An échauguette marks the separation between the west and east wings. The facade of the west wing features two loggias. They are stacked on the ground floor and first floor. The neo-Moorish style is evident in the oriental ornaments. These include horseshoe arches, small columns, merlons, and ceramic tiles. The garden’s base wall has a similarly styled gate. Inside, Islamic-inspired decor is painted on the walls and ceilings. There is also a fountain and rock garden borders.
According to family history, Pierre Leclerc was inspired by the Turkish pavilion. The Turkish pavilion was designed by René Dubuisson for the 1900 Universal Exhibition. Construction was managed by Olives Frères from Saint-Henry. In 1903, a dispute over poor workmanship arose. The land registry indicates an initial construction completed in 1905. This included a house with 17 windows. An expansion in 1907 added more space. A veranda was added in 1913. A storage area, now the basement garage, was built in 1923.
Villa La Palestine opened once during the Heritage Days in 1991. The family was overwhelmed by visitors and never opened it again. Today, Villa La Palestine remains a private residence. It stands as a reminder of Marseille’s rich architectural history. Its neo-Moorish style and oriental influences make it a unique landmark.