In the old part of Marseille, just a few buildings – the original building, and the remainder were restored in the second half of the last century. During the Second world war the area that served as a shelter for members of the Resistance movement, was subjected to the most violent attacks, so many buildings were destroyed by the Nazis.

From old preserved buildings, the most famous are the three houses that were built in the XVI century. This building is the town hall, the house of the Consul Louis de Cabra (hotel de Cabr) and the so-called Diamond house. In the town hall building and today houses the city hall, and in the Diamond house as far back as 1967 opened the Museum of old Marseille, where you can see a large collection of works of applied art in traditional Provencal style, including furniture and costumes. The Museum presents the history of the city since the XVII century.

The mansion, named "diamond" was built in the late XVI century (approximately 1570-1576 years), its first owner was a wealthy merchant Pierre Cardiol, later it settled the first mayor of the city. Also he lived in the mansion, the Marquis de Castellane-Majastre, in whose honour in Marseille was named one of the squares. During the great French revolution, the building was nationalized and turned into a home for immigrants from Italy and working the port.

The name of the house was due to the original treatment of the stones of which is composed of the facade of the building. Treated stones are indeed very reminiscent of a cut diamond. The house is located outside the Prison, near the town hall. The mansion is a historical monument since 1925. Despite its age, the building is well preserved, inside it you can even see the detail of the original interior – staircase, which was built together with the building itself.