The bastide was begun in the 17th century, then resumed in 1713 and continued during the 18th century. In 1891 Madame de Ferry, who inherited the property, restored the bastide and commissioned the noted landscape architect Édouard André to create a modern version of a classic garden. She brought in stone basins, fountains, and statues, five of which came originally from the Château Grignan.
The property was purchased by the city of Marseille in the 1980s. The bastide now is the home of the Cité de la musique, which organizes concerts and conferences in the bastide and the garden.