Restoration & decoration
Masonry Repointing - The Château d'If
Overview
The Château d'If
History
The Château d’If is a 16th-century fortress located off the beaches 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 began studying the city's defenses and realized that the city wasn't protected in case of invasion. He 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, and then Mirabeau was imprisoned by lettre de cachet in 1774. General Kléber would become 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 welcomes nearly 100,000 visitors annually and is a key tourist attraction in the city of Marseille.
PROJECT
The passage of time and Mediterranean weather conditions (saltwater, waves, sea spray) have gradually eroded the joints of the stone masonry ramparts, causing them to disappear in some areas and weakening the ramparts. Restoration work was therefore necessary.
Restoration
Repair steps
With the use of PROMPT natural cement, the scarp wall has been restored to preserve the masonry and ensure secure access for visitors. A lime/PROMPT natural cement mortar was formulated for repointing the masonry of the ramparts.
PROMPT natural cement was chosen for :
- Its resistance to exposure to the sea
- Its rapid setting and hardening
- Its permeability
- Its natural ochre color
Finalized project
Restored ramparts
Key Information
The duration of the project was 5 years, with interruptions due to weather conditions making access and work challenging.
Participants
Owner
Les Monuments Nationaux
Project Manager
Mr Botton, Chief Architect of Historical Monuments
Company
Girard
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Discover our product
Derived from a unique deposit located in the Chartreuse massif, PROMPT natural cement is an exclusive product of the Vicat Group.