Hôtel Louvre et Paix, Private mansion on La Canebière, Marseille, France
The Hôtel Louvre et Paix is a six-story building on La Canebière whose stone facade features four caryatids with symbolic figures: a winged fish, an elephant, a dromedary, and a sphinx. The structure spans 14,000 square meters (150,000 sq ft) and now houses administrative offices and a retail store.
The building was constructed in 1863 as a luxury hotel and later served as headquarters for the French Navy and the German Kriegsmarine during World War II. These shifts reflect its importance as a key location in the city across different historical periods.
The facade displays sculptures created by local artist Hippolyte Ferrat that represent themes connected to global trade and maritime activity. These decorative elements reflect Marseille's historical relationship with commerce and the sea.
The building is located on La Canebière near the Old Port, making it easy to spot from the street. Since it now serves as an office building with retail space, most areas are not open to visitors, but the remarkable facade can be admired from outside.
The building hosted one of the first public screenings of a Lumière Brothers film in February 1896, making it a site of significance in early cinema history. This event took place before film became a widespread public phenomenon.
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