In Marseille, the Baumettes 3 project marks the final step in the transformation of the historic penitentiary site.
Designed and built by Eiffage Construction for the APIJ, this new 30,000 m² facility combines performance, security and urban integration.
A large-scale project to modernise the historic site
In Marseille, the new Baumettes penitentiary centre was handed over in July 2025 after four years of works carried out by Eiffage Construction and its partners. Commissioned by the Public Agency for Justice Real Estate (APIJ), the contract included the demolition of the former men’s prison, built in 1930, as well as the design, construction and layout of a new 30,000 m² facility on the same site, in the 9th district.
Launched in March 2021 with the deconstruction of the existing buildings, the operation aimed to provide the region with a penitentiary facility compliant with European standards and offering improved conditions for both inmates and staff, while limiting disturbances for local residents through innovative solutions such as an acoustic “scale” system on the façade, designed to obstruct views and reduce noise pollution.
A responsible construction approach
From the early stages, the teams adopted a sustainable approach: materials resulting from the deconstruction were sorted and repurposed on site by Demcy, a subsidiary of Eiffage Génie Civil, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of the operation.
On the roof, photovoltaic panels were installed to contribute to the centre’s energy autonomy.
A complete and functional facility
In just 14 months of structural works, around ten buildings were erected, mobilising up to 300 workers and 7 cranes simultaneously.
With more than 740 cells, the penitentiary centre includes:
- five accommodation units,
- a disciplinary unit,
- a theatre,
- four sports fields,
- a silo car park,
- an administrative building bringing together the administrative services.
The layout of the spaces was designed to integrate as seamlessly as possible into the immediate surroundings and minimise visual and noise impact on the neighbourhood.
A new national-scale penitentiary hub
This new complex will complement the Baumettes 2 centre, commissioned in 2017, forming one of the largest penitentiary facilities in France and the third largest in terms of capacity.
Key figures of the project:
- 30,000 m² of floor area
- More than 740 cells
- 14 months of structural works
- 7 cranes deployed
- Up to 300 workers mobilised
Project stakeholders
- Client: Public Agency for Justice Real Estate (APIJ)
- Consortium representative: Eiffage Construction
- Architects: Groupe 6 and WTF/A
- Engineering firms: WSP (mechanical systems and utilities), CS Ingénierie (security), Inddigo (environment)
- Demolition and earthworks: Demcy, Forezienne
- Technical packages: Eiffage Énergie Systèmes (HVAC, plumbing, electricity, security)