Today, Château Galliéni in Fréjus is a place of remembrance, but also a project looking to the future.
Set in the heart of this historic city, it tells the story of a transformation, but also that of a love and a great military figure.
Originally, this Gabelle estate (named after the salt tax) housed two salt huts, which were transformed into properties.
It was after his marriage to Marthe Savelli in 1882 that General Joseph Gallieni became the owner and undertook to transform these modest buildings into an elegant residence. The architect Jully, whom Gallieni had met during his proconsulate in Madagascar, was commissioned to design this residence which took on the appearance of a small castle, in the heart of the Provençal pine forest.
The villa thus became a true haven of peace, whose elegance attracted the great literary and artistic figures of the time, such as Frédéric Mistral and Sarah Bernhardt, who stayed there.
The general, born in 1849 in Saint-Béat, distinguished himself through his military exploits, particularly in Africa and Madagascar. But it was in Fréjus that he chose to recharge his batteries, in this adopted city where he frequently returned between two campaigns.
The union with Marthe Savelli, daughter of an influential family in the region, gave new life to this residence, which became a place of retreat and conviviality.
The building was finally acquired in 1999 by the Fréjus Saint-Raphaël urban community.
Now renovated, the castle now hosts business creation organizations. This transition from a living space to an innovation center shows how history and the present can coexist and enrich each other.
Thus, the Château Gallieni is much more than just a historic residence: it embodies an era, a man and a city in constant evolution.
From Gallieni's passion for this place to the contemporary transformation of the site, history continues to be written, combining respect for the past and a vision for the future.
Gallieni's legacy in Fréjus is therefore multifaceted: at once military, colonial and human, he left a deep mark on the city and the region, while embodying an era marked by colonial expansion and the challenges of the First World War.