Souvenir Medal Monnaie de Paris 2024 - Massilia Arce Munita - M.DC.LX. (13)

In 1660, Louis XIV undertook the strengthening of Marseille's fortifications to assert his control over this strategic city, a major port and gateway to the Mediterranean. This initiative, part of his centralization efforts following the Fronde, aimed to prevent local uprisings and protect Marseille from external threats. The works included improvements to the Château d’If, reinforcements to Fort Saint-Jean, and the construction of the imposing Fort Saint-Nicolas, whose cannons were positioned to monitor both the sea and the city. The medieval walls were also modernized with bastions designed for contemporary military tactics. These fortifications symbolized both royal mistrust of Marseille and its vital strategic importance to France.