Château Borély

The Château Borély is a neoclassical château complex in Marseille's 8th arrondissement, set within the large public Parc Borély. The history of the estate goes back to the 17th century, when Joseph Borély acquired the property. Later, Louis Borély had the country house built to plans by the architect Charles-Louis Clérisseau, with the facade drawings revised by the royal architect Marie-Joseph Peyre. The three-story building, with its central projection and two pavilions, impresses with a restrained facade that conceals an extraordinarily rich interior. Visitors can admire a variety of stuccowork, gilded wall decorations, and ceiling paintings with mythological scenes inspired by Guido Reni and considered the principal work of the painter Louis Chaix. The château also houses a marble-appointed chapel dedicated to Saint Louis. Since 2013, the complex has served as the Musée Borély, devoted to decorative arts, faience, and the history of costume. The collection includes, among other things, important holdings of ceramics from Marseille, displayed in historic rooms such as the dining room.