Photo: Fort Saint Nicolas Marseille

Fort Saint Nicolas at the entrance of the Vieux Port as seen from Notre Dame de la Garde in Marseille, Provence in France.

Fort Saint Nicolas as seen from Notre Dame de la Garde is on the south side of the Old Port (Vieux Port) in Marseille, Provence in France. It is not as old as Fort Saint Jean on the north side, but the reason for its construction is very interesting.Fort Saint Jean was founded in the 13th century when Marseille was still an independent republic. It was made bigger in 1660 when Fort Saint Nicolas was built, which ironically, heralded the end of Marseille's independence.King Louis XlV of France had the guns of Fort Saint Nicolas (and Fort Saint Jean's) pointing toward the city of Marseille in France because he was suspicious of the inhabitants allegiance during the French Revolution. Actually his doubts were well-founded as it is said 500 'patriots' from Marseille marched into Paris singing "La Marseillaise", which, of course, became the national anthem of France.Fort Saint Nicolas and Fort Saint Jean stand at the entrance to Vieux Port and remind visitors of days gone by. ... continue below the picture...

... From high on the hill known as La Garde the Notre Dame de la Garde basilica is one of the best places to get a panoramic view of Fort Saint Nicolas, Fort Saint Jean and Vieux Port in Marseille, France.Fort Saint Nicolas seen from Notre Dame de la Garde, ND de la Garde in the city of Marseille, Bouches du Rhone, Cote Bleue, Blue Coast, Mediterranean, Provence, France, Europe.