Restoration & decoration

Clone of 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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One product, different applications

Applications

The exceptional mineralogy of PROMPT natural cement provides it with properties perfectly suited to the fields of quick masonry, restoration and decoration, eco-construction, and water & sanitation works.