Borély Park

Park and garden Park

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Presentation

The Borély park, which covers 18 hectares (including 1.2 hectares for the botanical garden), is the most popular green space in Marseille.

In some squares, the playgrounds can still be used but are under the responsibility of the parents who must ensure that the sanitary rules are respected and, in particular, that the children are physically distanced.

This 17-hectare garden is home to an 18th-century country house, enhanced by a French garden and a 19th-century landscaped park. The garden retains the imprint of the engineer and architect Embry (1775). From this project remain the symmetrical lines of the present garden with two main axes (N-S/E-W), the rectangular basins and the geometrical parterres. Between 1860 and 1880, the City of Marseille called upon Alphand (planting engineer for the City of Paris) to create a public park on the property. He entrusted the execution of the project to his collaborator Barillet-Deschamps. The juxtaposition of the park and the French garden gives Borély an additional charm. Its paths are very popular with joggers and walkers who also enjoy strolling through the rose garden or discovering the rare species of the botanical garden. The lake, its pier, its refreshment bar and its restaurant (awaiting a new manager) complete the multiple attractions of the site. Borély is also a children's paradise with two playgrounds... In 1995, the 19th century rock waterfall was chosen to serve as a setting for Jean-Michel Folon's original work "L'Homme aux oiseaux". In the same year, an educational trail was set up to discover the various treasures of the park. The signposting of the plants presents the most remarkable trees of the park. The identification of the birds of the lake is approached in a similar way.

Accessible for disabled

Opening period (s)From 01/01 to 31/12, daily.

General information