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Origin and history

Villa La Palestine is a neo-Mauresque style villa located in the 16th arrondissement of Marseille, at 126 Plage de l'Estaque. Built in the early twentieth century, it is distinguished by its orientalist architecture, inspired by the pavilions of the Universal Exhibition of 1900. The villa is surrounded by a garden decorated with rock and a cave with atlantes, reflecting the fascination of its owner for the East.

The villa was commissioned by Pierre Leclerc, a rich tailor from Bourges, passionate about the East. He entrusted his creation to the local company Olive Frères between 1902 and 1905, after discovering a neo-Mauresh model at a universal exhibition. The building was marked by a dispute in 1903 for bad manners, and the villa was enlarged in 1907.

The Villa La Palestine is a rare example of the neo-Maureque Mediterranean heritage. It was inscribed in the historical monuments in 1993 for its interior frescoes, loggias, and exterior decoration inspired by Islamic art. Although private property, it was exceptionally open to the public in 1991 during Heritage Days, attracting a crowd such as the Leclerc family decided not to reopen it.

The architectural style of the villa combines classic elements with oriental motifs: overpassed arches, merlons, tiles, and a tower-minaret. Inside, the ceilings and walls are decorated with paintings inspired by Hispano-Mauresh art. The villa bears witness to the enthusiasm for Orientalism at the beginning of the 20th century, when the Estaque was a popular destination for holidaymakers.

The Leclerc family, still the owner, preserved this unique place, which remains a symbol of Marseille architectural eclecticism. The villa is also associated with local industrial history, its sponsor having made a fortune in textiles. Today, it embodies the unknown but precious heritage of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

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