History
The Château d’If is a 16th-century fortress located off the shores of Marseille and is part of the Frioul Islands archipelago. The construction of this fortress is attributed to King Francis I
In 1516, after the victory at Marignan, Francis I started to study the city's defenses and realized that it wasn't protected in case of invasion. He then decided to initiate the construction of the castle, which was completed in July 1531.
Its strategic position and architecture made it an ideal prison from which escape seemed impossible. The Château d’If welcomed its first prisoner, the knight Anselme, in 1580, followed by Mirabeau's incarceration under a lettre de cachet in 1774. General Kléber would be the last famous prisoner of the Château d’If.
Since 2014, the Île d’If and the entire Frioul archipelago have been part of the Calanques National Park and are therefore protected sites. The island receives nearly 100,000 visitors annually and is a key tourist attraction in the city of Marseille.
PROJECT
Exposed to Mediterranean weather conditions (saltwater, waves, sea spray) as well as the daily passage of visitors, access to the castle had become slippery and hazardous. The need to restore the site was essential.
Using PROMPT natural cement, the stone paving has been restored to ensure safe access to the castle once again.
A lime/PROMPT natural cement concrete mixture was formulated for the laying of the pavers and the jointing. The mass effect of this combination contributes to the durability of this project.
PROMPT natural cement was chosen for :
- Its resistance to exposure to the sea
- Its permeability
- Its natural ochre color
- Its rapid setting and hardening
Key Information
The project lasted for 4 months and was completed by the end of April 2018.
Participants
Owner
Les Monuments Nationaux
Project Manager
François BOTTON, Chief Architect of Historical Monuments
Company
Vivian & Cie
