A plain beige wall tucked away on a quiet street in Marseille has been transformed into a viral sensation, thanks to the elusive British street artist Banksy.In a rare social media post on Friday, the anonymous artist claimed credit for a striking new mural near the city’s old port, depicting a simple white lighthouse and the cryptic words, “I want to be what you saw in me.“The location — 1 Rue Félix Frégier in Marseille’s 7th arrondissement, is already attracting flocks of curious tourists and devoted art fans. Many arrived within hours of Banksy’s Instagram post, guided by GPS coordinates included in the caption.But the mural’s magic doesn’t stop at its poetic phrase. A street post standing in front of the wall creates an optical illusion, casting a shadow that aligns perfectly with the beam of the painted lighthouse, making it appear as if the lighthouse is glowing in real time.‘What you saw in me’While Banksy hasn’t explained the meaning behind the emotionally charged phrase, fans online are speculating it’s a lyric from “Softy,” a 2001 ballad by American country group Lonestar. Others see it as a quiet reflection on perception, self-worth, or lost love, a departure from Banksy’s usual political punch.Unlike his often subversive or politically loaded murals, this piece seems rooted in something more personal and poetic. It is not believed to be a political message, though some are calling it one of his most moving works in recent years.From street to spotlightThe surprise appearance of the mural comes just two weeks before a major Banksy retrospective opens in nearby Toulon on June 14. The Museum of Art will showcase 80 of his works, including rare pieces and fan favourites. Another Banksy exhibition opened on Saturday in Montpellier.Previous Banksy murals have been either cut from walls, vandalised, or sold off by property owners hoping to cash in on the artist’s global fame.Despite his secrecy and refusal to be photographed or interviewed, Banksy has become a multi-million-dollar phenomenon since breaking out in the late 1990s. His blend of stencilled simplicity, emotional subtext, and timely commentary continues to resonate across generations.Marseille’s newest landmark?Whether it’s a love letter or a lighthouse metaphor for hope, Banksy’s Marseille mural is already becoming a landmark of its own.By midday Friday, the hashtag #BanksyMarseille was trending across France and beyond, with some fans making pilgrimage-style visits just to snap a photo before it’s too late.As one local said while standing in front of the mural, “It’s beautiful — but it feels like it could vanish at any moment. That’s Banksy.”
