Jules Cantini was born on 2 February 1826 in Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France.

In 1903, he did a marble replica of Michelangelo's David, which can be seen near the Plages du Prado in Marseille.

In 1886, he designed a statue of Saint Peter for Notre-Dame de la Garde.

[5][6][7] In 1911, he donated the fountain on the Place Castellane, which was sculpted by André-Joseph Allar (1845-1926).

[7][8] During its dedication on 12 November 1911 Bernard Cadenat (1853-1930), who served as the mayor of Marseille from 1910 to 1912, compared him to Crinas, this, "doctor who donated his wealth for the restoration of the fortresses and the ramparts of the city" in the first century.