Eski Liman
26 Yüzyıllar boyunca, bu Marsilya tarihinin oynadığı prestijli bir tiyatrodur. Işaretçilerine sonra kentin akropol
Phoceens Yunan kolonistler, ilk Hıristiyanların, kadırga büyük cephanelik, Hotel de Ville, imparatorluk ikamet ve
bir savunma manastır arka plan birleştirilir liman giriş.
Eski Liman gücünü
batı, güçlü St-Jean ve Saint-Nicolas (XVII) yan kendi geometrik kitlelerin limanına girişine. Palais du Pharo,
İmparatoriçe Eugenie eski ikamet, bir teras liman ve Akdeniz'in güzel bir görünüm sunuyor. Çarpıcı askeri
mimarisi ve kraliyet güç, Fort Saint Jean ve Saint Nicolas kalenin sembolleri stratejik Fransa'da en eski şehir
girişinde yerleştirilir.
Canebiere
Kentin en ünlü caddesi eski bir etkinlik kumarbazları çağrıştıran, Canebe, kenevir Provence adını borçludur. Ünlü
Canebière Quai des Belges, adalara mekikleri için başlangıç noktası üzerindeki Vieux Port sonunda
bitiştiği. Pagnol tarafından ölümsüzleştirdi Ferry, hala, Belediye Binası'nın karşısında, barok mimarisi Provence
yedinci, yerine Yağlar güzel bir örnek kuzey ve güney iskeleler bağlanır.
Şehrin kökeni
Eski Limanı'nın sağ kıyısında: Alışveriş Sepeti, küçük mahalle Town Hall için tepe aşağı tünemiş. Bu şehir anısına
kalır. Dar sokakları ve karanlık "monte" güneşten barınak inşa edilmiştir görünüyor.
Höyük Saint Laurent Vieille Charite, antik ve ortaçağ şehir merkezinde bu mesire mirası ve büyüleyici tarihi, hala
çok canlı "Basket", pitoresk sokaklarında gezintiye yeniden keşfedilmesidir.Limana bakan tepede, sokaklarda
kadar güzel isimleri, "Bom Jesus" 'Küçük kase "kareler" On üç Kazan "ve" Lenche "ve" Yel Değirmenleri
"sokakları kaçınılmaz taş yol Sepet: Vieille Charite. 1640 yılında inşa edilen bu "büyük lohusalık anıt" şehrin geri
kalanının hasta ve yoksul izole etmek amaçlanmıştır. Birkaç yıl önce yenilenmiş, Charity şimdi poli kültür müze ve
ana sergi ve evler bir yerdir.
Onun ayaklarına şehir olmasını tercih varsa, Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, on dokuzuncu yüzyılın muhteşem RomaBizans bazilikası gitmek daha iyidir. Deniz seviyesinden 162 m 'dir bakire altın, her zaman denizcilerin ve
gezginlerin koruyucu azizi olmuştur. "İyi Anne" sadece benzersiz bir bakış açısı ya da ibadet yeri değildir. Ayrıca
tüm Marsilya, en fazla pagan inanan, sonsuza kadar bağlı bir semboldür. "İyi Anne" ve Eski Marsilya orijinal ve
cazibe dolu bir tren Eski Liman ve Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde ya da Alışveriş Sepeti eski sokakları ziyaret etmek
anlamına gelir.
Marsilya keşfetmek için, şehir merkezine bırakmak çekinmeyin. Her çeyrek, yüzden fazla, kendi kilise, kendi
uçakları, kendi bowling ile gerçek bir Provence köy vardır ... Biz, örneğin L'Estaque gidebilirsiniz.Birçok ressam
Cezanne çekti ve Pagnol ve tepelerin eteklerinde popüler gelenekleri hala hayatta, ya da Treille bir balıkçı köyü
kalmıştır Bu mezra,. Bu ünlü yazar ve film yapımcısı gömüldü köyün mezarlığı bulunmaktadır.
Corniche Kennedy, birkaç kilometre uzunluğunda, deniz boyunca hemen hemen sürekli, adalar manzarasına
sunan ve büyük Marseilleveyre sahil hakim. Bir köprü Marsilya Auffes küçük karakteristik balıkçı limanı vadisinde
hayran olabilir. Sahil şeridi Prado büyük sahil boyunca Corniche Kennedy uzanır.
Marsilya, son marinalar Pointe Rouge ve Madrague diğer ucunda, manzara çok Akdeniz olur. Köy ağ geçidi
Goudes Dereler olduğunu. Burada, bir uçurumun karşı inşa tutuyor, neredeyse sonunda denize dalan,
Callelongue olduğunu. Marsilya da denizden öğrenebilirsiniz. Hiçbir şey adalarda bir yürüyüş, Friuli, Château d'ise
(efsane Monte Cristo Kontu hapsedildi o sahip olduğu), Maire, Pomègues ve Ratonneau, Carolina Hastanesi
(yerleşik üzerinde duruyor yener Bir bakışta Akdeniz başkenti panorama kucaklamak Restorasyon).
Chateau d'ise kireçtaşı adasında Eski Liman tekneyle 20 dakika Château d'kitlesel siluet duruyor, varsa nerede
Alexandre Dumas sinsi sinsi ve kahramanların siluetleri: Monte Cristo ve Abbot Faria Sayısı .
Takımadaları Friuli
Château d'tekneyle 10 dakika indigo, Friuli adaları, beyaz kireçtaşı arka plan adaların yan akut yardım için işaret,
ise: en büyük iki ve Pomègues Ratonneau, Liman Friuli için bir geçit ve ev ile bağlı. Bu yelkenli izlerken dahil
olmak üzere bu sakin bir vaha, tüplü dalış için bir cennet, yürümek iyidir, birçok koylarından birinde yüzmek ve
birçok gölgeli teraslar birinde deniz keyfini çıkarın. Karantina devam eder gemilerin mürettebatı izole edildi
"Hastane Carolina," eski karantina istasyonu gençlik kampları özveri için büyük teşekkür görünüyor. Şehrin turu
tamamlamak için, varsa ve Frioul.Bien tabii ki Temmuz ayında Festivali Adaları (tiyatro, müzik ve "gülmek kapısı")
Château d'animasyon önemli ölçüde katkıda, bir ara vermeliyiz:
Palais Longchamp
Su Tower City - İkinci İmparatorluğu döneminde Marsilya suyun gelişini kutlamak için bir görkemli ayarı Yapımına 1839 yılında kanal Marsilya aynı anda karar verildi. Palais Longchamp Güzel Sanatlar ve Doğa Tarihi
Müzesi bulunur ve sadece mimar Espérandieu tarafından planları 1862 yılında tamamladı. Palais Longchamp
görkemli dekor zarif bir semtte hizmet vermektedir.
Basilique de St-Victor
St Victor, üçüncü yüzyılda Roma şehit ölüm mezar John Cassian ile beşinci yüzyılda kurulan. Birkaç tahribatlar
sonra, Abbey Papa Urban V. tarafından on dördüncü yüzyılda tahkim edilmiştir Hac 2 Şubat'ta yer Candlemas
alır.
Major Katedrali
, on dokuzuncu yüzyılın Romano-Bizans tarzı iç mermer ve porfir heybetli bina.
Kilise Reform de
St Vincent de Paul Kilisesi planları Abbot Pougnet üzerinde Reybaud mimar tarafından Gotik tarzda Gotik on
üçüncü yüzyılda 1888-1855 büyüdü.
Metro ile

M1
Tramvayla

T2
Otobüs ile





52
521
533
582
82s
Kararı için bir çizgi seçin.
Bisiklet
İstasyon:63 m St Charles MarsilyaAdres:Marsilya 9. Sırakapasitesi:19 Motosiklet
İstasyonu:Gambetta - Lafayette 158 mAdres:Comings Léon Gambettakapasitesi:15 Motosiklet
Marsilya
Vikipedi, özgür ansiklopedi
Koordinatlar:
45°46′01″N, 04°50′03″E (Harita)
Marsilya
Marseille
Vieux Port, arka planda ise Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde
Bayrak
damga
Arma
Slogan: Actibus immensis urbs fulget Massiliensis.
Marsilya'nın Fransa'daki konumu
Koordinatlar:
Bölge
Département
45°46′01″K 04°50′03″D
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Bouches-du-Rhône
Yönetim
- Belediye başkanı
- Vali
Jean-Claude Gaudin (UMP)
Alain Gardère
Yüz ölçümü
- Kent
240,62 km2 (92,9 mi2)
En yüksek Rakım
En düşük rakım
Nüfus (2008)
- Yoğunluk
- Şehir
- Metropol
Zaman dilimi
Alan kodu
640 m (2.100 ft)
0 m (0 ft)
3,538/km² (9,2/sq mi)
851.420
1.715.096
CET (GMT +1) ()
04
Web sitesi: marseille.fr
Marsilya (fransızca: Marseille [maʀˈsɛj], oksitanca: Marselha veya Marsiho), Fransa'nın güneydoğu'sunda
bulunan, Bouches-du-Rhône ilinin veProvence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur bölgenin merkez şehridir. 2009 nüfus
sayımı'na göre 850.602 nüfusuyla Fransa'nın 2. en büyük kentidir. Ayrıca 1.715.096 nüfusuyla Fransa'nın 3.
en büyük metropolitin yerleşim alanıdır. Avrupa’da en büyük kara alanına sahiptir.
MÖ 6.yy'da Foça'lı (Phokaia) denizcilerin sayesinde Massalia adı altında kurulan Marsilya, Fransa'da
ve Akdeniz'de birinci, Avrupa genelinde dördüncü limanı olarak gösterilmektedir.
Coğrafi konum
Fransa’nın Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur sınırları içindedir. Calanques Dağ kitlesininde aralarında bulunduğu
bir dağ zinciriyle çevrili olan Marsilya, Akdeniz sahil şeridi boyunca 70 km kıvrıla kıvrıla uzanır... Güneş ışığı
en önemli servetidir. Mistral yeliyle gelen Provence yöresine has bu doğal ışık, aralarında Cezanne,
Braque, Dufy, Derain, Marquet'inde bulunduğu birçok tanınmış ressamın ilham kaynağı olmuştur.
Fransa'nın Akdeniz kıyısında yeralan şehir, Akdeniz'in en büyük ticari limanına sahiptir.
Şehir merkezine 30 km uzaklıktaki Marsilya havaalanından her 20 dakikada bir hareket eden otobüsler,
yolcuları Saint Charles Garı'na getiriyor. Oradan taksi ya da metro ile gideceğiniz yere ulaşıyorsunuz.
Başta Marcel Pagnol'un filmleri olmak üzere birçok Fransız filmine mekân olan St. Charles Gar'ı, şehrin
yüksek tepelerinden biri üzerinde kuruludur. Garı şehrin merkezine bağlayan Boulevard d’Athenes
caddesine doğru alçalan toplam sayısı 104 olan merdivenlerin en üst basamağından aşağıya bakınca tüm
şehrin ayaklarınızın altında olduğu hissi veriyor. Bazıları şehrin merkezi olarak, St Charles Garı'nı bazıları
ise ‘Le Vieux-Port’ denilen eski limanı kabul ediyor.
Tarihi
Tarihte ilk olarak MÖ 6.yy'da 12 İon şehrinden biri olan Phokaia (bugünkü adıyla Foça)'lı denizcilerin
kurduğu Marsilya şehri, zamanla eski liman denilen Vieux Port (Eski Limanı) etrafında genişleyerek
bugünkü halini almış... Phokaialılarİzmir yakınlarındaki bugünkü Eski Foçaşehrini kaybetmelerinden sonra
kendilerine koloni yaptıkları bir şehir olarak da biliniyor. Cosquer Mağarası duvarı üzerindeki yazılar
Marsilya da geçtiğimiz 28 bin yıl boyunca insan yerleşimi olduğunun kanıtı. Ayrıca Marsilya 2 bin 600 yıl ile
Avrupa'nın en eski şehri unvanına sahip... Bu eskilik sokaklarında kolayca farkediliyor. Birbirine bitişik
sıralanan yüzlerce apartmanın dar bir koridor görünümü oluşturduğu Arnavut kaldırımlı sokaklarında yeni
yapı hemen hemen hiç yok. Asırlar öncesinin yüksek tavanlı, uzun pencereli evleri yıkılmamış ve korunarak
bugüne kadar gelmiş. Tarihi geçmişiyle yüksek mimari değer taşıyan bu apartmanlar bugün hala halkın
kullanımında... Marsilya Kültür Varlıkları Atölyesi'nin (Atelier du Patrimoine) yöneticisi Daniel Dracourt'un
şehrin tarihi yapısının korunmasına yönelik çalışmalarının bunda büyük payı olmuş. Akdeniz çevresinde
bulunan ülkelerde tarihi kent dokularıyla öne çıkan yerleşimlerin gelişim ve koruma planları
yapılmış. İstanbul'a benzer özellikler taşıyan Marsilya çok kültürlülüğün ve kültür varlıklarının korunması ve
yerel yönetimler açısından önemli bir örnek.
MÖ 49 yılında Sezar tarafından istila edilince Romalıların ticaret merkezi haline getirilen Marsilya,
limanlarının jeopolitik avantajıyla bugünde denizcilik alanında önemli bir yere sahip... Haçlı Seferlerinde aktif
olarak önemli bir rol oynamışsa da bugün egemen bir din yok ve çok çeşitli kültürel yapısı içinde her dinden
insana rastlanıyor. 13. yüzyılda kısa süreli yaşanan Cumhuriyet dönemine, 1423 yılında Aragone
Hanedanlığıtarafından son verilmiş. Kral Rene'nin yaptığı çıkartmanın sembolü olarak diktirdiği kule, bugün
hala limanın girişinde görülebilir. Marsilya, 1481'de Fransız Krallığı'na dahil olmuşsa da halkının liberal yanı
tarih boyunca ağır basıyor. 1720 yılında nüfusunun yarısı olan 45 bin kişiyi kaybettiği veba salgının yaraları
kısa sürede sarılırken, 1792'de Marsilya halkı asiliğiyle ünlenir. Altı bin gönüllüden oluşan Ren
Ordusu, Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle'in bestelediği savaş marşı ‘Chant de guerre pour l'armée du Rhin'ı
söyleyerek, Fransız Devrimine katılmak için Paris'e doğru yürüyüşe geçer. 1795'te Fransa'nın milli
marşı kabul edilen bu marş ‘La Marseillaise’ olarak bilinir.
Ekonomi
19. yüzyılda Modern Döneme girmesinin yanı sıra Fransız sömürgeleri, altyapı sistemi projeleri ve Süveyş
Kanalı'nın açılmasıyla gelişmesi hız kazanan Marsilya, ham maddeleri işlemeye dayalı ekonomisiyle kısa
zamanda gelişmesini tamamlamış. Deniz ürünleri zenginliğinin yanı sıra Dünya'nın en
kaliteli kiremitleri burada üretiliyor. Bugün Marsilya'nın tek amacı ‘Euroméditerranée’ projesini
gerçekleştirmek. Ekonomi ve endüstri metropolisi olan Marsilya 1995 yılında başlatılan bu projeyle Güney
Avrupa’nın iş alanında başkenti olmayı amaçlıyor. Bunu gerçekleştirmek için şehir, yabancı sermayeye
yatırım yapması için her imkânı ve kolaylığı sağlıyor. Aynı zamanda Fransa'nın en yüksek öğrenme oranına
sahip olduğu 45 bin üniversite öğrencisiyle kente gelen sermaye ile doğan iş imkânlarından Marsilya
halkının faydalanması için kalifiye eleman yetiştiriliyor.
Bugün Marsilya artık Fransa'nın en kalabalık varoşlarından birine sahiptir.
Fransa'da abartmaları ile tanınan Marsilyalılar tarafından Dünya'nın en güzel şehiri olduğu söylenir.
Marsilya'nın içinde olduğu kadar civarında da gidilecek çok yer vardır. Marsilya, sosyetik tatil
beldeleri Cannes, Nice, St. Tropez'ye yakın olmasına rağmen Güney Fransa’nın diğer şehirlerine hiç
benzememektedir. Kuzey Afrika kökenlilerin çoğunlukta olduğu, 1 milyondan fazla çok çeşitli etnik nüfusuyla
bir metropol görünümündedir. Herkesin değişik bir aksanı olduğu için Fransızca'yı az veya aksanla
konuşsanız bile kimse yadırgamamaktadır. Akdeniz ikliminin getirdiği yumuşak hava akımıyla soğuk ülke
vatandaşları için çekici olsa da, yüksek suç oranı ve uyuşturucu trafiğinin yoğun olduğu iddia edildiğinden
turistlerin çok rağbet ettiği bir şehir değildir.
Eski liman ‘Le Vieux-Port’dan ‘Château d'If ’ adasına, ‘Port de Commerce’den de Korsika Adası'na günlük
turlar düzenleniyor. Şehiriçi tur yapmak için ise iki seçenek var. İlki, bir gün için kişi başına 16 Euro olan
otobüslerle şehri dolaşmak. İkincisi ise yollardaki kırmızı çizgileri takip ederek yürümek. İki saat süren
kırmızı çizgiyi takip turuyla şehrin gezilip görülecek tüm tarihi ve turistik yerlerini görüyorsunuz. Alexandre
Dumas’nın romanı ‘Monte Kristo Kontu’yla üne kavuşan ‘Château d'If’ şehrin en güzel manzaralarından
birine sahip. 1524 yılında inşa edilen bu şato, 17. yüzyılda devlet hapisanesine dönüştürülmüş.
Lavanta tarlalarıyla çevrili Marsilya da eski ve yeni içiçe yaşıyor... Hangi tepesinden baksanız dağlarla
çevrili muazzam bir liman manzarasıyla karşılaşıyorsunuz. Marsilya, tarih ve kültür karışımı bir gezi için
ideal bir şehir.
Kardeş şehirler
Marsilya'nın şu resmî kardeş şehir anlaşmaları vardır:[1]

Abican, Fildişi Sahili
Anvers (şehir), Belçika
Kopenhag, Danimarka
Dakar, Senegal
Genova, İtalya
Glasgow, Birleşik Krallık
Hayfa, İsrail
Hamburg, Almanya
Kobe, Japonya
Marakeş, Fas
Odessa, Ukrayna
Pire (şehir), Yunanistan
Şanghay, Çin
Erivan, Ermenistan
Marsilya'nın eski liman bölgesinin gece manzarasI
Marsilya ve
yakındaki
Akdeniz kıyılari
Piri Reisharitası SPOT Uydusundan
Marsilya
Château d'If
Korniş
Eski Liman Manzarası
Fort Saint Nicolas,
solda liman
Vallon des Auffes,
Korniş yakınında Notre Dame de
la Garde Kilisesi uzerindeki Meryem Ana heykeli
Église des Réformés
kilisesi
Marsilya Güzel Sanatlar
Müzesi
Marsilya dokları
idare binası
Cours Estienne d'Orves
Eski Liman yanında
"Jardin des Vestiges" parkı
Marsilya Saint-Charles
Tren Garı
Panier'de sokak Marsilya Belediye Sarayı Eski liman'dan Panier Panier'de sokak
Katedral de la Major
Fort St Jean
Burcu
St Laurent Kilisesi
Hôtel-Dieu
hastanesi merdivenleri Gymnase Tiyatrosu
Pharo
Cours Julien ve la Plaine
New Hotel Saint Charles (ex Select)
Adres:
4, allées Léon Gambetta
Marseille, 13001
Fransa
Telefon:
+33 (0)4 91950909
E-posta:
marseilleselect@new-hotel.com
Grégory ZINS
My adress : 24, rue Moustier 13001 Marseille
Schuleitung Siegfried Drupp EuropaGrundschule
Projektleitung artour projects e.V.
Koordination EuropaGrundschulen NRW
Siegfried-Drupp-Str. 5, 44328 Dortmund
Tel. 0231-50-28864, Fax.0231-7223613
klaroussi@stadtdo.de
Ecole Elémentaire Maurice Korsec
Adres: 2 Rue Maurice Korsec, 13001 Marseille, Fransa
Telefon:+33 4 91 90 15 76
Kirsten Laroussi 0049-163-8832233
Ineke Driller 0049-176-22287291
school 0049-50-25164
Gregory Zins 0642037985 (+33-642037985)
Saat Farkı: Marsilya 1 saat geri Uçuş süresi: 3 saat 10 dakika
Kaleler
Saint-Jean Forteress The area around the forts is believed to have been inhabited since antiquity but it was not
until the 13th Century that the Hospitallers of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem (later to become the Knights of
Malta) settled here and gave its name to the quarter. Some remains of their presence may still be seen. King
René had the huge square tower erected following the attack by the armies of Aragon in 1423. It was built where
the Maubert tower had stood and was used to protect the entrance to the port. The navigation light-tower was
built in 1644 and the Chevalier de Clerville built the fort as part of Louis XIV's instructions that formed the largescale plans for Marseille. He had a flood-proof pit dug to isolate the fort from the city. The fort was used as a
garrison and later as a prison during the Revolution. During the Second World War the German army used the
fort as an ammunition store. In 1944 the store exploded causing major damage to the fort itself and to the Pont
Transbordeur. The fort became a National Heritage Site in 1964.
Saint Nicolas ForteressFrom the middle of the 17th century, favoured by the Fronde insurrection, Marseille
defies and and holds up to ridicule royal authority. As soon as peace with Spain leaves the king with his hands
free, the city is occupied by the army. To enter the city, Louis XIV, in March 1660, does not hesitate to open a
breach in the medieval walls. Some of its stones are used again – as a symbol – in the construction of the Saint
Nicolas citadel. Louis XIV orders the building of a fort as well as the extension of the town and the creation of a
new Arsenal. Several sites are considered for the building of the citadel and finally a hill « at the entrance of the
port, behind the Saint Victor abbey whose area is reasonable enough to build a strong enough fort to maintain the
King of authority forever ». The work progresses at a frenzied rhythm by Chevalier de Clerville. In 1663, the high
fort (Entrecasteaux) is finished, and in 1664 the low fort (Ganteaume). Vauban, during a visit to Marseille,
criticizes the construction which he judges to be « the worst of the universe » !In May 1790, the inhabitants of
Marseille, who were furious and vindictive because they had to put up with this citadel with its cannons aimed at
them, took advantage of the revolution to start demolishing the fort. But a month later, they had to stop the
destruction by order of the Assemblée Nationale.The fort occupies a limestone ridge between the port, Saint
Victor abbey and the Pharo. For some time, the construction surrounded the Saint Nicolas chapel built in the
Middle Ages, but then it was demolished. The fort consists of two complexes on two levels. The lower part, the
forecourt on the port, has been separated since 1862 by the building of the boulevard (today Boulevard Charles
Livon). The high fort has two linked walls and the quadrangular plan is attached to the steep slope. The quality of
the masonry, large stones of pink limestone from la Couronne, and the work (corner ties with bosses and cordons
creating arabesques of countercurves in the slopes) together create an impression of serene power, typical of the
style of Chevalier de Clerville.The complex makes the Saint Nicolas citadel into an « operetta fort » designed to
calm the fiery spirit of the inhabitants of Marseille and to assert the authority of a monarchwho was well aware of
his lack of popularity in a city which had been attached to the crown less than two centuries ago !
Katedraller
The Old Major (Old Cathedral - registered as a National Heritage building in 1840)The present church dates back
to the middle of the 12th Century but a succession of earlier buildings had been built on the site since the 6th
Century. It is a fine example of Provençal Romanesque architecture built of pinkish stone from the Couronne
quarries. The bell tower was not built until the 16th Century. It was a cathedral until 1852, but continued to be
used as a parish church until the 1950s. When the new cathedral was built, the vieille Major was deprived of two
of its bays. During the construction work, however, the ancient Early Christian baptistery was revealed in the
centre of the building with its square exterior and octagonal interior of huge dimensions (over 25 metres wide), all
of which was very finely decorated. It was reburied and the New Major was built over it.
The New Major (New Cathedral) (registered as a National Heritage building in 1906)In the 19th Century,
Marseille witnessed major social, demographic and economic upheavals. A series of large-scale construction
projects began and Marseille's finest buildings were erected. Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte laid the first stone of the
new cathedral on 26th September 1852 and the church was consecrated on 6th May 1896. The nouvelle Major
was designed by the architect Léon Vaudoyer. When he died in 1872, the building work was taken over by Henry
Espérandieu, the architect who had designed Notre Dame de la Garde and the Palais Longchamp, until he in turn
died in 1874. The building was finally completed by Henri Revoil. It is built in the Byzantine Romanesque style in
the shape of a Latin cross with an ambulatory. The total length of the cathedral is 146 meters, the main dome is
almost 70 meters high and 18 meters in diameter. Of particular interest are: the façade decorated with statues of
Christ, the Apostles, Saint Peter and Saints of Provence and, inside the cathedral, fine statues of Louis Botinelly
and Auguste Carly, an onyx ciborium and altars made of multicoloured marble and designed by Jules Cantini.
Saint-Laurent ChurchSaint Laurent is a medium-sized church built in the Provençal Romanesque style and
comprises three naves separated by square pillars. Its exact origins are uncertain but it is mentioned in a number
of 13th Century documents and was known to be enclosed within the Château Babon that was destroyed in the
15th Century. Saint Laurent was the parish church of the fishermen and seafarers and is the only parish church
from the Middle Ages still preserved in Marseille today. The church lost one of its bays and the oriental-style
façade when the Fort Saint-Jean was built in the 17th Century. Entrance to the church is still made through the
South nave. The 16th Century bell tower was rebuilt in the 17th Century. The church was pillaged and severely
damaged in the Revolution but was spared from being demolished when it was transformed into a warehouse and
continued to be used as such until the Concordat was agreed. Marseille considered Saint Laurent as one of its
principle churches until the old quarter was destroyed in 1943. It became a National Heritage building in 1950.
After recent restoration the church, built of the pinkish stone from the quarries at Couronne, has at last regained
its original beauty and become a place of worship once again.The Sainte-Catherine Chapel adjoins the Saint
Laurent Church. It was built at the beginning of the 17th Century by the White Penitents. The vaulted ceiling is
decorated with liernes and tiercerons (decorative ribbing) in a late Gothic style that is unique in Marseille. A
collection of interesting objects has been preserved in the chapel: a pieta (Virgin holding the body of the dead
Christ) presented by the ship-caulkers of Marseille, a statue of Mary Star of the Sea and a painting of the
martyrdom of Saint Laurent.
Place ThiarsThis charming little square lies in the heart of the former Arsenal quarter, rehabilitated in the 80s.
Since then, the area has been reserved for pedestrians and many restaurants, cafés, art galleries and businesses
are now here for the enjoyment of the inhabitants of Marseille and tourists who appreciate the Italian charm of the
neighbourhood.The former Arsenals of Marseille occupied an area between Rue Breteuil, Quai des Belges, Quai
de Rive-Neuve and Rue Fort Notre-Dame. The history of the Arsenals starts under Charles VIII at the end of the
15th century and ends in the middle of the 18th century when the last galley slaves were dispersed between the
prisons of Brest, La Rochelle and Toulon.
In 1494, Charles VIII leaves for the Italian wars and equips six galleys at Marseille. Then, in 1512, Louis XII has
six new « terceneaux » (shipbuilding and repair sheds) built. Through the centuries, their number increases. But
only in 1660, when Loius XIV comes to Marseille, a Grand Arsenal des Galères is built and a new city plan for
Marseille is made. Less than six years later, Nicolas Arnoul, the right-hand man of Colbert, started the
modernization of the Arsenal which was to become one of the elements of the reshaping of the city. It grew from
65 to 195 hectares and new city walls were built.The extension of 1666 is the largest city planning project realized
in Provence in modern times. For the first time in its history, the port is in the heart of the city. In fact, the Greek
city was founded on the north shore of the port and the residential districts south of the port were only built in the
17th century. The Grand Arsenal now goes from Rue Paradis to the bottom of La Canebière where administration
buildings are organized around the Pavillon de l’Horloge. Other existing buildings, like the galley slave hospital,
are taken over and included in the perimeter of the new arsenal.
About 10 000 galley slaves lived here in disgraceful detention conditions. They were kept in chains day and night,
died of cold in winter (especially in 1710 when the port froze over !), and suffocated in the heat in summer &
Nevertheless, some had shops on the port or worked in the soap factories of Rue Sainte and Place aux Huiles,
which gave them a meager income. The prison was created by Charles IX in 1564. At first, it held Turks, «
Negroes » and common law criminals, then in the 17th century, Protestants. The galley arsenal is a city in the
city, where galley slaves, non-commissioned officers and officers lived together in a terrible stench, sometimes
masked by the grand parties given by the gentlemen of the officer corps.On the eve of the 19th century, as we
have seen, the land of the Arsenal is sold and from then on the port activities are concentrated on that side. The
merchants occupy the warehouses left by the former arsenal and export traditional Marseille products like soap,
olive oil, sugar, printed calico, coral, playing cards, etc
.
La CriéeA fish market is opened in 1909, which remains open until 1975 when it is transferred to the north of the
city to the industrial port of Saumaty. The building is completely transformed inside, but its front has kept its
original appearance.The National Theater of Marseille is opened in 1981 by the Mayor of Marseille, Gaston
Deferre. For 10 years, "la Criée" was directed by Marcel Maréchal with an excellent programme every season.
Vincent Scotto was born at no. 32, Quai du Rive Neuve, on 21 April 1874.
Palais du Pharo
The Pharo promontory was once called Tête de More, meaning Moorish Head. It was a rocky plateau on which
only rushes and wild grasses grew, with a few "guinguettes" (small restaurants with music and dancing). Pharo
was the name of the cove just to the west of the Tête de More. The “Farot” was a mound separating the cove
from the open sea, and providing a look-out point, first mentioned in the 14th century.
It was Prince-President Louis-Napoleon who decided to build an imperial residence in Marseille. During a visit in
September 1852, he expressed the desire to have "a house at the water's edge". At the end of that year, he
commissioned the architect Vaucher to find a site for his residence and draw up the plans. Then Napoleon III's
architect Lefuel was put in charge of the project. For their part, the City authorities decided to donate the selected
sites: La Réserve and the Pharo. Napoleon III accepted the donation "wishing in this way to convey to the City of
Marseilles another expression of friendship and to further strengthen the bonds linking him to this great patriotic
city".
The residence was not much appreciated and the Emperor never actually used it. On the death of Napoleon III,
the Empress Eugénie became the sole owner of the Pharo, and generously donated it to the city. In 1904 major
changes were made to the Palais du Pharo to convert it into a medical school. The balance of the volumes was
disrupted by raising the wings and the interior distribution was ruined.
However, thanks to its exceptional location and the creation of a Conference Centre that receives up to 60,000
people a year, the former Imperial Residence is today a prestigious architectural complex, one of the finest in
Europe. Tradition has been respected and the site protected, by integrating the new spaces into the Palais and
creating underground conference rooms under the forecourt of the original building. The site comprises
ceremonial rooms, a 1200 m2 exhibition hall, a 500 m2 restaurant and a 900-seat auditorium which can be
adapted to accommodate conferences or seminars by means of a highly sophisticated system.
The Stock Exchange building
The Marseille Chamber of Commerce, the oldest in France, was founded in 1599 and four deputies were
appointed to defend the interests of commerce, and consequently that of the port. It was initially established on
the ground floor of the Palais Communal and then, at a later date, in the City Hall.The Chamber of Commerce
became more and more powerful and at the beginning of the 19th Century a decision was taken to have a
building constructed that was worthy of the city's commercial power. While this was under construction, the
Chamber of Commerce was housed in a temporary building in what is now the Place Général de Gaulle. 24
building projects were put forward but the one that was eventually accepted in 1852 was that of the architect
Pascal Coste. The building was opened in 1860 during Napoléon III's visit to Marseille.
The Chamber of Commerce required a building that was on a large scale but that did not hinder the traders who
were used to negotiating their deals in the open air. Coste therefore proposed a layout that enabled all the various
departments to be organised around a single trading floor large enough to accommodate 2,500 traders. The
brokers' offices were located on the outside under the porches that provided additional areas where the traders
could saunter or discuss at will.The outer walls reflect the various functions of the building: behind the main
façade decorated with huge Corinthian columns lie the administrative offices, the reception hall that opens onto
the Canebière, and the trading floor and windows overlooking the port. An enormous marble stairway links the
rooms. The side façades form a series of arcades in a less ornate style simply interspersed with Corinthian pillars.
This arcade houses the remaining commercial departments which are served by a secondary staircase.The
Marseille Chamber of Commerce and Industry still plays a vital part in the city's business transactions. It generally
provides assistance in financing, professional training and in international commercial relations. It also manages
the international Marseille-Provence airport.The Chamber of Commerce houses the Marine Museum that traces
the history of commerce in Marseille from the earliest times. It also holds temporary exhibitions and houses a
library that is open to the public.
The Greek and roman remains garden In 1912, the area behind the Bourse was demolished to free the land for
the ambitious town planning projects that were under way. After serving a variety of purposes, a number of
projects succeeded one another before the building work for a definitive project was eventually begun in 1977.
This consisted in constructing a shopping centre, the Mediterranean Trade Center and the History Museum.
Opposite the museum is a garden in which lie a collection of Greek and Roman remains that were discovered in
1967 during extensive post-war excavations. All the plants included in the garden result from an extensive study
into the flora with which the Greeks were familiar and each plant been chosen for its symbolic virtues.The port
buildings that have been preserved date from the end of the 1st Century but these were doubtless preceded by
earlier dwellings on this port jetty known as "the port's horn". The area was prone to silting and it was abandoned
from late Antiquity onwards. A wreck dating from the 3rd Century A.D. was discovered here; it has been dried out
and can now be seen in the History Museum. This port complex is generally agreed to be the oldest preserved
example of its kind in the Mediterranean and it re-establishes Marseille as an antique metropolis and as France's
first city-state.A number of relics may also still be seen today: remains of the ancient road, the pool used to store
fresh water from the Lacydon, the supporting pillars of the city gates and a surrounding wall, the construction of
which was financed by an ancient Greek doctor named Crina. (listed as a National Heritage Site in 1972)
The crossroads of Cours Belsunce and Cours Saint-Louis are the zero point of the city. All distances between
Marseille and the other cities of France are measured from this point.
In the 17th century, following the example of Aix-en-Provence, Marseille decided to open the esplanade which
was the favourite walk of the inhabitants of Marseille. On this Cours, later called Belsunce in the memory of the
bishop of Marseille who became famous during the Great Plague of 1720, the Foire à l’Ail et aux Taraïettes
(Garlic and earthenware fair) is held every year from 15 June to 14 July.When crossing Cours Belsunce you can
see on the left the Arc de Triomphe of the Place d’Aix erected in 1839 by the architect Penchaud. During the
expansion of the city in 1666, the opening of the Porte Royale (the future Porte d’Aix) gave Marseille a wider
entrance for passenger and goods traffic between France, Marseille and the Orient.On the other side is Cours
Saint-Louis, where the 18 cast iron kiosks of the flower sellers were installed. From 1847 to 1968 their colourful
stalls delighted the passers-by and the artists of the Alcazar always bought a rose to bring luck before going on
stage.On the right you can see Castellane fountain, located on the Porte d’Aix -Obelisk line, one of the longest
perspectives of Europe.
The Alcazar This famous music hall, opened in 1857, brought many artists on the stage. Great names of singers
like Rellys, Dario Moréno, Yves Montand, Henry Salvador, Sacha Distel and even Johnny Halliday made their first
nervous appearances here, in front of the highly critical Marseille audience!The Alcazar closed in 1966, and the
wooden awning survived the years in more or less good shape. It will come to life again thanks to the Bibliothèque
Municipale à Vocation Régionale (BMVR) of the architect Adrien Fainsilber (he designed the Cité des Sciences et
de l’Industrie of Paris). This library fulfils the basic functions of a large institution for public reading, study and
research and also for the conservation of the heritage collections.
The departments are open for all publics and the library does not only cover the Marseille metropolitan area, but
also the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. Due to its location in the very heart of the city, it is part of the
renovation of the city centre with the advantage of public transport and car parks. Since 2004, the site is home to
the Regional City Library (BMVR), designed by the architects Adrien Fainsilber and Didier Rougeon.
The palais Longchamp
The boulevard Longchamp with its plane trees was created by an owners association. They let the city open the
boulevard in the 1830s and then built apartment buildings for rent and private mansions.This was an immediate
success, and soon a quarter with a very homogenic architectural style developed. Here can be found the typical "
three-window " building, a design often repeated in several quarters of MarseilleUsually, the front is 7 metres wide
and the depth of the building is 14 metres. According to the means and the wishes of the client, the buildings are
more or less decorated ; especially around the entrance doors and the window frames. Sometimes, the threewindow module was doubled and some buildings can have six windows, but these were built later. Apart from the
three-window type, you can see private mansions built for only one family with very fine decoration. Most of these
buildings have a garden, and those with even numbers open towards the south. This shows that the quality of
living was already one of the preoccupations of 19th century architects.
The Palais LongchampThe city had a shortage of water and since the 16th century, there had been a plan to dig
a canal to supply Marseille with water from the river Durance. The water problem became an obsession for the
municipality in the 19th centuury, aggravated by a cholera epidemic in 1835. From 1838 onwards, projects for the
digging of this canal were designed ; finally the plan of the public works engineer Franz Mayor de Montrichier was
adopted. To dig this canal of 85 kilometres, underground ducts and 18 aqueduct bridges had to be made. This
took 10 years, helped by the tenacity of certain councillors like Mayor Consolat. Right from the beginning of the
works in 1839, a monumental reservoir to celebrate this so precious water was planned. After several projects,
the design of the architect of Notre-Dame de la Garde, Henry Espérandieu, was chosen to build the most
remarkable of all edifices constructed during the Second Empire.
This historic building, inaugurated in 1869, commemorates the arrival of the water of the canal between the river
Durance and Marseille. On the same site, it brought together the Museum of Fine Arts, which before was in the
former Bernadines chapel, the Museum Natural History, a botanic park and a zoo. The rich decoration of the
building evokes the abundance and fertility brought by the water of the canal. Here sculpture has a dominating
role, and this work was entrusted to the greatest artists of that period. The famous animal sculptor Antoine Louis
Barye created the lions and the tigers of the entrance, and the monumental fountain in the centre of the row of
columns is the work of Jules Cavelier. It represents the river Durance surrounded by figures symbolizing the vines
and wheat on a cart pulled by the bulls of Camargue.The interior decoration of the museums is also remarkable.
The main stairs of the Fine Arts Museum are adorned by two large painting by Puvis de Cavannes, commissioned
in 1867: Marseille, the Greek colony and Marseille, Gateway to the Orient. In the Provence room, painted by
Raphaël Ponson, the museum has preserved a fine example of historical museography. The Fine arts Museum,
installed in the left wing of the building. In the right wing of the building the Museum of Natural History has been
instaled since 1869.
The observatory, the oldest scientific establishement of Marseille, will soon celebrate its 300th birthday. Before
the transformation of the Longchamp plateau, it was installed in the Accoules quarter, in the old part of Marseille
in the Collège de Sainte-Croix, where it was created in 1702 by the Jesuits by royal order.The observatory is
attached to the Ministry of National Education and the CNRS research organization. Today it is a processing
centre for data obtained from the largest telescopes of the world and from sclale space experiments, and also a
laboratory for the development of instruments. The main research themes are at present aimed at the study of
galaxies and interstellar environment. Since January 2000, the observatory has expanded by becoming, together
with the Laboratoire d'Astronomie Spatiale at Trois Lucs in Marseille and the Observatoire de Haute Provence,
the Observatoire Astronomique Marseille Provence attached to the University of Provence.Apart from its research
activity, the observatory is open to the general public and school groups and regularly proposes educational
activities on astronomy. The association Andromède organizes exhibitions, school visits, group visits (children
and adults), lectures, sky observations and planetarium shows. Furthermore, the observatory has a very fine
room of old instruments which the Patrimoine group presents to the general public and school groups.
La Rue de la RépubliqueIn 1860 a decision was taken to create the Rue Impérial in order to meet with Second
Empire town planning demands but also to comply with theories concerning public health and to beautify the
town. This long straight street was in the Parisian Haussman style and was also intended to connect the city's
historic centre to the newly-built Joliette port. The port was built in 1844 to cater for the rapidly increasing trading
sector.
Two major problems, that of a downward slope and the natural wall formed by the Carmes Hill, were quickly
overcome when a decision was taken to cut a 150-metre wide breach in the hillside in order to accommodate the
new street. The 800,000 square metres of excavated earth were used to construct new port buildings.
Work began on the street in 1862 and the demolition and excavation work took two years to complete. 16,000
people were ordered to leave approximately 1,000 homes and the cost of this housing operation came to over
one million Francs, more than a third of which was spent on compulsory purchase.The Rue Impérial was officially
opened on 15th August 1864 but the buildings still had to be constructed. These buildings, which were intended
as an investment, were constructed in an eclectic style that combined the charm of the Renaissance with the rigor
of the Neo-Classical. The people of Marseille, however, were not taken with the buildings despite every floor
being provided with utilities such as running water and gas. The promotion of the street proved a complete failure.
Also included in this town planning project was the reconstruction of Place Sadi-Carnot and that of Rue Colbert;
unfortunately this plan was only partly completed.The present Rue de la République is a street of outmost
importance to Marseille as it connects the south districts to the north districts and is at the centre of the
Euroméditerranée project.
Saint-Cannat Church (listed in the Additional Inventory of National Heritage Sites in 1926)The monastery of the
Dominican Friars (Order of Preachers) was built at the end of the 16th Century. Building work on the church was
started in 1558. It was consecrated in 1619 and dedicated to the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the
middle of the 18th Century the Gérard brothers built the large Romanesque-style façade, the pediment and the
upper section of which were removed in 1926 for safety reasons. The monastery was destroyed when the Rue
Colbert was opened. The church became a parish church in 1803 and was dedicated to Saint Cannat, the former
Bishop of Marseille. As in many other churches in Marseille, Saint Cannat contains precious works of art: the
organ case, the polychrome marble high altar, the Notaries' chapel and paintings by the Provençal painter Michel
Serre.
The Docks
This district dates from the beginning of the 19th century, a period of great economic expansion for Marseille and
of major urban development. The Old-Port had reached saturation point, due in particular to the arrival of
steamships. So in 1842, a project to extend the port to the Joliette area was adopted. Work on the port ended in
1853.
A brand new port facility was built at the meeting of land and sea routes, and the "Compagnie des Docks et
Entrepôts" was founded. Building of the docks, which are more than 400 metres long, was directed by Gustave
Desplaces from 1858 to 1863. The docks include four groups of warehouse buildings that are connected to each
other and end with the company's magnificent administration building (built in a neo- Louis XIII style). Each
warehouse has six levels of storage space and is built around a central courtyard. They can be compared to
London's docks, which no doubt were a source of inspiration for Desplaces. They are the most modern of
Marseille' Second Empire development projects and the most expensive after the Cathedral and the Prefecture.
After a period of almost total neglect, the Docks have been restored to their former splendour thanks to the
remarkable rehabilitation project undertaken by architect Eric Castaldi.
The coastal road and the seaside
This beautiful walkway overlooking the sea, running from the Catalans cove to the Prado beaches, offers some
magnificent views of the Frioul islands and the Château d'If. In 1848, it was decided to create a seaside
thoroughfare in order to provide work for the numerous unemployed of the time, leading to the creation of the
Municipal Workshops and the hiring of 8,000 workers. The 25 m wide thoroughfare initially consisted of two
sections: the first part as far as the Fausse Monnaie cove and the second up to the Pharo, Napoléon III's imperial
residence. The work lasted 15 years. From the twenties on, the Corniche became a very popular spot with the
locals for a day out, thanks to the tramway line which ran along it and could carry up to 20,000 passengers on a
Sunday. There were departures every 5 minutes Today the Corniche is 5 kilometres long. It was redeveloped at
the end of the fifties and renamed Corniche J. F. Kennedy in 1963. In the 19th century, rich merchants had
magnificent villas built here, of which there remain a few very beautiful examples. They are hidden away from
public view in grounds planted with luxuriant vegetation. Standing on the Corniche, and towering over the sea is a
huge propeller blade, a sculpture created in 1971 by César , a native of Marseille in commemoration of people
repatriated to France from North Africa...
The opening of the entire Corniche during the Second Empire, gave Marseille' rich bourgeoisie the opportunity to
have some magnificent villas built. It was considered good taste only to stay in them for a short while, in spring,
just before leaving for the country house for the summer season. The merchants and ship-owners employed
famous architects and sculptors to build eccentricities for them whose whimsical nature has something of the 18th
century about it. Indeed, historic references are numerous if one takes the time to look at these villas of which the
most remarkable are Château Berger and Villa Valmer.
Villa Valmer, the "Vague à la Mer" villa was erected in 1865 by the Marseille architect Condamin, in a
renaissance style. It is situated at the top of vast grounds planted with tropical plant species brought back by the
owner, who was a trader in oleaginous plants, from his journeys to the East. The villa currently belongs to the City
of Marseille. Château Berger was built for Baron Houitte de la Chesnaye in 1860 in the French renaissance style
of Château de Chambord. It is currently a seawater therapy centre.
South Marseille
Parc Chanot comprises an exhibition centre, a conference centre and a public park with numerous play areas for
children. This is where the Marseille International Fair is held every year in late September and early October.
Dance schoolInaugurated in 1992 and built by Simounet, the school houses the Marseille National Ballet
Company. The building is turned in on itself, in the same way as a cloister, to maximise the dancers'
concentration. 20, Boulevard Gabès
Borely Château and Park Formerly the property of the "Borély" family, which had its country house built here in
1766. This rich family of merchants held an enviable position in Marseille, and like other well-off merchants in the
city, they owned many buildings and mansions. But more than a mansion, the Marseille soul was obsessed with
the idea of "la bastide", a Provençal country house. The Borély bastide, which we now call a château, was at that
time no doubt the largest and finest of them all, just as Louis Borély had wished.
In the middle of the 19th century, the city authorities bought part of the estate. After housing an Archaeological
Museum there for many years, the Municipality has now handed the château over to the Regards de Provence
Foundation which organises cultural events there. The grounds of 17 hectares, with lake, garden in the French
style, rose garden, botanical gardens, shady lawns and cycling tracks, is a very popular park with the people of
Marseille. It is located between the Huveaune river, the sea and the race course, right at the heart of new
developments which are further emphasising its attractiveness: canoekayak centre on the Huveaune River, golf
range at the race-course and huge circular track reserved for roller skaters, skate boarders and other nonmotorised vehicles.
Château Pastré
This former bastide stands in grounds of 1.1 square kilometres, between the sea and the hills. It was built during
the 1860's by the architect Jean Danjoy in a reinterpretation of the Louis XIII style, subtly mixing Marseille bricks
and the blonde stone of Arles.
Notre-Dame de la Garde
The Garde hill (154 m) has always been an observation post.Tradition has it, but there is no proof, that the lookout post exists since prehistorical times and more probably since the Roman era. In the 15th century decree of
Charles II d'Anjou enumerates the Garde hill in the lists of relays. This look-out system is improved over the
centuries and this function continues on the hill until 1978.To protect Marseille from the armies of Charles the
Fifth, led by the Constable of Bourbon, François the 1st has a fort built in 1524 on the top of the hill, which,
together with the Châteay d'If, forms a maritime defense which serves as a foundaion for the present basilisa and
find above the north porch the signature of the King l a salamander.But the Garde hill acquires all its meaning as
a sacred as well as an urban symbol with the construction of the basilica in 1853. From then on, the silhouette of
the building becomes inseparable from the image of Marseille. However, several churches have preceded its
construction. The first one was in 1241; when a hermit, master Pierre, received the authorization to build on this
site which belonged to the Abbey of Saint Victor. From the 16th century onwards the church is gradually
transformed into a center of religious devotion of the sailors. From this period date the first ex-votos which they
deposit here.
Since then the Garde hill has a triple function: look-out post, fortification and place of worship and pilgrimage. In
thhe iddle of the 19th century, the sanctuary proves to be too small for the numeroux pilgrims who visit it.
Monseigneur de Mazenod decides to buil a large basilica on this site. The foundation stone is laid on 11
september 1853, the building is entrusted to the architect Espérandieu and the consecration takes place on 5 june
1864.In a Romanesque-byzantine style with domes, multicoloured stone, gold and mosaics, the basilica fits in
perfectly in the programme of the large constructions undertaken in Marseille under Napoléon III.The edifice
consists of two parts: a lower cherch, a vaulted crypt which houses in particular a multi-coloured crucifix dating
from the 16th century church and a "mater dolorosa" of marble of Carpeaux ; and an upper church, the sanctuary,
dedicated to the Virgin (name day and pilgrimage on 15 August) where mosaics with a gold background and mulicoloured marbles abound, giving it the appearance o a reliquary. Of particular interest are the bronze doors and
the high altar designed by Revoil, Virgin in silver by Chanuel, an Annunciation low relief in multi-coloured glazed
earthenware, a Florentine work of the 16th cebtury.The presence of numerous ex-votos exhibed on the walls,
hung between the supports of the nave, are a true collection of naïve art, a charming chronicle of the community
of Marseille, eloquent witnesses of popular faith, dedicated to "la bonne mère", the name given to her by all the
marseillais, wathever their religion. The belfry supports a monumental statue of the virgin created by the sculptor
Lequesne. It was executed in bronze, gilded with gold leaf, by the Christofle workshops and installed in
september 1870.From the esplanade, in front of the sanctuary, there is a most impressive view of Marseille and
its site.Between 2001 and 2007, the part outside and the decor inside the church have been restored.
La Canebière
The Canebière was built in 1666 when Louis XIV gave instructions for the city to be increased in size. The name
comes from the Provençal "Canebe" (hemp) and is a reminder of the rope-makers that lived in Marseille from the
Middles Ages onwards.Only when the Grand Arsenal (shipbuilding dock) was demolished at the end of the 18th
Century was the Canebière extended down to the port and fine buildings put up. A little further on was the narrow
Noailles street and beyond it, outside the walls, lay the Allées de Meilhan that provided the people of Marseille
with a tree-lined walk that took them past open-air cafés and dance-halls.The Canebière was only officially
extended from the Old Port to the Réformés church in 1928, thus including Noailles street and the allées de
Meilhan.The Second Empire (1852-1870) and colonial expansion were responsible for major changes in the city:
new thoroughfares were opened, elegant buildings were constructed and a new port built. The Canebière enjoyed
its heyday during the Third Republic (1871-1940) when intense intellectual and business activity was omnipresent
in the cafés, high-class hotels and shops. The Canebière became known throughout the world and was very
quickly adopted as the symbol of Marseille and its port. Certain buildings are now classified as National Heritage
Sites.The larger hotels and cafés on the Canebière closed after the French colonies gained their independence.
The Canebière has recently become central to a number of long-term rehabilitation projects for the city centre and
is to some extent reliving its past glory with the marseillais, as the town's inhabitants are known, enthusiastically
opening new hotels and shops.
The turkish cafe One of the first cafés set up on the Canebière is the café alla turca, from 1850 an inevitable
passage for travellers to the Orient.An oriental lounge openend onto to the street Prince de Beauvau.A
monumental fountain, topped by a four-faced clock, sat imposingly in the centre of the main hall, that gave onto
the Canebière. It symbolized the open relationship of Marseille with other cultures and showed the Turkish,
Chinese, Arabic and European time.Its sumptuous décor and its atmosphere were often evoked in literature.The
café alla turca disappeaed just after the first world war.
The Beauvau street, which bears the name of a governor of Provence, was opened in 1785 on the land of the
Arsenal des Galères (galley arsenal). It was one of the first streets of Marseille made with pavements. Please
note Hôtel Beauvau at no. 4 where Lamartine stayed in 1832 as well as Georges Sand and Frédéric Chopin in
1835.
The Opera HouseThe inhabitants of Marseille have always been theatre and opera fans. Several theatres were
in fact built in various parts of the city to meet this local demand. But they had to wait for the sale of the land of the
Arsenal des Galères in 1781 to allow the construction of the Grand Théâtre (one of the clauses of the bill of sale
stipulated the obligation to construct an opera on the principle of perpetuity). The whole of the land was sold by
the Ministère de la Marine to the city who sold it three years later to a company run by Rapalli from Genoa. He
started constructing blocks of flats which resulted in extraordinary price explosions. The whole quarter is then
organized around this vast plot of land and the streets are dedicated to theatre and music (Corneille, Molière,
Lulli, etc) as well as to the high representatives of royalty in Provence.The Grand Théâtre, opened in 1787, was
the work of the architect Benard. He designed it in a neo-classical style as a temple of music and dance. In 1919,
a fire completely destroyed the theatre and the stage ; only the main walls, the Ionic colonnade and the main front
in freestone were saved. The arcitect Gaston Castel, associated with Raymond Ebrard, was chosen to rebuild the
Opera from 1921 to 1924 in art deco style. It was the idea of Castel to open this building site to a large number of
creative artists and technicians of all areas : painting, sculpture, mosaic and wrought iron.On the front can be
seen the four allegories of Sartorius as well as the phrase written on the upper cornice : « Art receives beauty
from Aphrodite, rhythm from Apollo, balance from Pallas and owes movement and life to Dionysos ».Inside, in the
theatre, please note the stage setting « La naissance de la Beauté » by Antoine Bourdelle, in red stucco on a gold
background ; in the main foyer, two superb Sèvres vases especially designed for this vast space and the ceiling
decoration by Carrera illustrating the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in bright colours.
The originality of the building lies in the successful mixture of 18th century neo-classical style and 20th century art
deco style.
Hôtel du Louvre et de la Paix One of the finest realizations is without doubt the former Hotel du Louvre et de la
Paix of the architect Pot, today occupied by the C&A store. The front offers a monumental entrance to visitors
framed by four opulent caryatids representing the four continents (Europe, Asia, America and Africa). This luxury
category hotel had 250 rooms, 20 salons and 2 restaurant rooms. It was open until 1941, when it was
requisitioned and bought by the French Navy, then occupied by the German Kriegsmarine. After the war, the
Navy returned, installed offices and used the reception rooms for official events and the officer s mess up to
1977. The decoration had remained the same since the Second Empire.In 1980, after 3 years of neglect and
damage, the building was sold. The architects only kept the fronts, the stairs and and the two salons which were
listed as historic buildings. In 1984, the C&A store opened. Inside, on the left, the stairs can still be seen and at
the back of the store ordinary doors hide these two magnificents salons, representing the luxurious era of the
Hôtel du Louvre et de la Paix.Projects are currently being studied to try to restore and give new life to this place, a
symbol of the commercial power of Marseille in the 19th century. As indicated by a plaque on the front, the first
film show of the Lumière brothers in Marseille, "the arrival at La Ciotat railway station", took place in this hotel in
1896.
L’hôtel de NoaillesIt was designed by the architect Berengier in 1865. This very fine building, much more sober
than the Hotel du Louvre et de la Paix, has a central front topped by a triangular pediment. The front shows an
alternate rhythm of triangular and curved pediments. It used to be a very luxurious hotel and until 1979, very
important persons, artists or politicians, stayed at the Noailles.All hotels of Rue Noailles were so famous that a
special daily column was dedicated to them in the newspaper. Today the Noailles building has been transformed
into office premises, but it still remains a prestige address.
Les allées de MeilhanThe Allées de Meilhan are the last part of our Canebière. The expansion of 1666 planned
to create a public esplanade outside the city walls. This work was only finished in 1775 thanks to the Provence
Intendant, Sénac de Meilhan. This avenue was famous for its open-air cafés where young people came to enjoy
themselves and to dance. The style of the buildings is very different from La Canebière and Rue Noailles ; most of
them are from the end of the 18th century. Here the Marseille "three-window" type can be found, like on
Boulevard Longchamp further along.Every year between 1886 and 2005, the " santons fair " takes place on this
part of La Canebière. Since 2005, the " santons fair " is based on the Cours d'Estienne d'Orves.
The music pavilionThe iron music pavilion replaced a older wooden pavilion in 1911. A Wallace fountain, which
can also be found in the Parc Longchamp, was installed here in the 1930s.
The monument aux MobilisésThe Monument aux Mobilisés was erected here in 1894 to commemorate the
soldiers of Marseille who fell in the 1870 war. You can see "France Armée" and at her feet the valiant soldiers.
The Monument aux Mobilisés is the departure point for demonstrations which go down La Canebière towards the
Old Port, and then often continue towards the Town Hall or the Prefecture according to the nature of the
grievances! But here processions also start, for 14 July or for the carnival when the heros of the day proudly
rejoice on La Canebière, applauded by the crowd which is always ready to celebrate.
Saint Paul-Saint Vincent church, The Réformés
In the 14th century, the hermits of Saint Augustinian established themselves on the site of the Saint Ferréol
church, situated on the Old Port. In the 16th century, their cult was reorganized and the Augustinians Déchaux
built another monastery above La Canebière. During the Revolution, the monks were dispersed. In 1803, a new
parish was created in this quarter because of its increasing population. A priest of the Mission, a congregation
founded in 1625 by Saint Vincent de Paul became the first priest of this quarter. The construction of the new
church in a neo-gothic style followed the plan of the architect Reybaud. The church was consecrated in 1888. In
1989, the ASPRA association was created to save the building. Finally, in 1998,a set of four bells was placed in
one of the two spires. Their height, 69 metres above the floor of the crypta, gives some idea of the imposing
dimensions of the church.Inside, you can see the stained-glass windows by Didron, which evoke the main scenes
of the bible and the saints of Provence, the baptismal fonts, the main altar of marble, lapis-lazuli, onyx, gilt bronze
with enamels, the pulpit of sculptured wood, the marble altar made in 1999 from the former communion table and
the Christ of the Holy Shroud of the Marseille sculptor Botinelly.
The old port
Marseille can claim to have existed for 2,600 years and therefore qualifies as France's oldest city. In 600 B.C.,
Greeks from Phocaea (in present-day Turkey) arrived in the Lacydon creek which was then inhabited by people
belonging to the Ligurian branch of the Celts. According to legend, Massalia (as the Greeks named Marseille) was
the result of a love story, that of Protis the Greek and Gyptis, daughter of the Ligurian chieftain. She rejected
princes and fortune-hunters and chose the handsome adventurer.The choice of setting was a calculated move:
the North bank where the town was built was protected by three hills (Saint-Laurent, les Moulins and les Carmes)
and, other natural advantages aside, was supplied with pure spring water from the Lacydon. Moreover, the
islands of Pomègues and Ratonneau constitute a formidable natural defence barrier.Throughout Antiquity and the
Middle Ages this city that the Greeks called Massalia, the Romans Massilia and that was known as Masiho in
Medieval times, had its centre on the North bank. In 1666, however, Louis XIV gave instructions for the city to be
extended southwards. Entrance to the port was henceforth protected by two forts: Fort Saint-Nicholas to the
South and Fort Saint-Jean to the North.One image that conjured up the Vieux-Port for many people was that of
the Pont transbordeur (transporter ferry bridge), a metal structure that was commissioned from the Ateliers
Arnodin in 1903 and opened two years later. It spanned the port between the Fort Saint-Nicholas and Fort SaintJean. One of the uprights was damaged in an explosion in 1944 and the bridge was demolished after the Second
World War. The people of Marseille still have fond memories of the bridge and it has been immortalised in
numerous paintings, photographs and films.
The Ferry-boat so cherished by the Provençal writer and film director, Marcel Pagnol, leaves from the quay in
front of the City Hall to make several daily crossings of the Vieux-Port. The crossings began in June 1880, thus
opening the famous passage from the City hall to the Place aux Huiles, a square located on the opposite side of
the port.
Saint- Ferréol les augustinsIn the 12th Century the Headquarters of the Knights Templar originally stood where
the Church stands today. The Augustin monks bought the building in 1369 after the Order of the Templars was
abolished and its members dispersed. Work was begun to build a Gothic church which was consecrated in 1542
but not completed until 1588. The Italian-style bell tower dates from the 18th Century. The monastery was divided
up and sold during the Revolution and only the church remained. It was established as a parish in 1803 with Saint
Ferréol as patron Saint in memory of the collegiate church of the same name that was destroyed in 1794 (the
collegiate church originally stood where the present Prefecture stands today, in the Place Félix Baret).The nave of
the church originally comprised 5 bays and 12 side-chapels but 2 of the side-chapels were destroyed in 1804
when the city was subject to re-planning work and today the building lacks a sense of proportion and harmony.
The craftsman builder Désiré Michel made the present neo-baroque façade when the Rue Impériale (now Rue de
la République) was opened out into the area around the port.The church contains a number of fine works of art
such as the throne, now a National Heritage work of art, the high altar made of polychrome marble, the reliquary
bust of Saint Ferréol and the paintings by the Provençal painter Michel Serre. The church also contains the
ossuary of Saint Louis d'Anjou that had been stolen in 1423 when the city was pillaged; it was only returned to
Marseille in 1956.
The old Marseille
Behind of the City Hall, the heart of the city’s old quarter is called “The Panier” (The basket). It’s name apparently
derives from the sign of the 17th century inn “Le Logis du Panier” located there.The Maison Diamantée was built
by rich Spanish and Italian trading partners. It was then lived in by well-established Marseille families before it
was divided up into apartments during the Revolution. The Maison Diamantée is a perfect example of Provençal
mannerism with its unusual façade decorated with raised diamond-shaped tips and the decorated panelled
staircase that is unique in Marseille.At the end of the 19th Century the Maison Diamantée housed port workers
and Italian immigrants. At the beginning of the 20th Century it was in a dilapidated state and set to be demolished.
In 1922 it was bought by the "Art and Charity" foundation who then made the Committee of Old Marseille its
owner. The Maison Diamantée became a National Heritage building in 1925; it was spared from being blown up in
1943 and since 1967 has housed the Musée de Vieux Marseille (Museum of Old Marseille). The museum
undertakes to bring to the fore the city's unique qualities and historic traditions using theme-based exhibitions
such as the King's galley ships, the 1720 plague, the model of the city centre built by Mr. Lavastre, traditional
Marseille costume, interior decoration and furniture, santons and playing cards.Today, the Maison Diamantée is
one of the few remaining souvenirs of the old city that no longer exists, of its aristocratic dwellings in the rich
quarter of the city centre that was so dependent on the sea and on commerce.
Pavillon Daviel The Palais de Justice de Marseille (Marseille Courthouse) was built in the middle of the 18th
Century by the Gérard brothers who were Marseille architects. It was built on the site where a 16th Century
courthouse had originally stood. The building is built in the pinkish stone from the Couronne quarries and has a
façade that is relatively narrow yet perfectly harmonious and that evokes the simple and pleasant architecture of
18th Century Provençal houses. The front section of the building projects slightly outwards and is decorated with
an allegorical pediment. The upper floor has a splendid wrought iron balcony comprising panels built in the
"marguerite" (daisy) style that was so popular among Marseille craftsmen in the 18th Century. The sculptures of
the hand of justice and the torch of Themis, the angels carrying the King's arms (damaged during the Revolution)
and children carrying the Tables of the Law and the coat of arms of Marseille are all the work of the sculptor
VerdiguierDuring the Revolution, sentences were delivered from this balcony, under which stood the guillotine in
the square below.In the Second Empire a new Courthouse was built. From 1875 to 1893 the new building was
used by the School of Medicine before it eventually became a Town Hall nnexe. (Partially listed as a National
Heritage Site in 1945).
The Grand'RueThe Grand'Rue follows the ancient road that may still be seen today in the Jardin des Vestiges
(Garden of Greek Remains) and that eventually opens into the Place de Lenche, the ancient Greek market place.
The original Greek road lies 3 metres under the modern street level. In the 6th Century B.C. it was already a busy
street that connected the various public buildings with one another and provided space for markets and local craft
and business transactions. It is amusing to realise that in fact very little has changed over 26 Centuries! Various
side streets named after guilds led from the Grand'Rue to the port, the centre of the city's commerce.
The Hôtel de CabreThe Hôtel de Cabre is on the corner of Rue Bonneterie and the Grand'Rue. This private
residence, that was built in 1535 in an unusual mixture of gothic and renaissance styles for the trader and Consul
Louis Cabre, is one of the oldest houses in Marseille. When the old quarter was blown up in 1943 the house was
saved but later lifted in one piece on jacks and rotated through 90° in order to align it with the present streets to
meet with town-planning requirements. The façades have been listed as National Heritage Sites since 1941.
The Hôtel DieuThe original Saint-Esprit hospital was founded in the 12th Century. It was extended over the
centuries and was joined to the Saint-Jacques de Galice hospital in the 16th Century. It eventually became the
Hôtel-Dieu a century later. A nephew of the famous architect Hardouin-Mansart then undertook its reconstruction
but his ambitious project was only partially completed and the Hôtel-Dieu did not attain its present appearance
until the Second Empire. Like all 18th Century hospital buildings it was enclosed on all 4 sides and divided into
two main courtyards, one for women and one for men. The architect Blanchet decided to open the southern
façade of the hospital to create two wings that end in square pavilions. The three arcades are open to the air and
form the walking galleries that are also typical features of hospital architecture of this period. The stairway is the
work of Joseph-Esprit Brun and, like that of the Hôtel de Ville, is a fine example of stone vaulting. The handsome
wrought iron hand-rail demonstrates the quality of ironmongers' work in Marseille in the 18th Century. The Hôtel
Dieu has been included in the Inventory of Additional National Heritage Sites since 1963.
Since Antiquity Marseille has always occupied an important place in medical practice and scientific research.
Medicine is still today one of the city's most technologically advanced sectors.A bronze bust of Jacques Daviel
stands in the Hôtel-Dieu forecourt. He was an eye surgeon and practised in Marseille during the 1720 plague. In
1745, while practising at the Hôtel Dieu, he carried out the world's first cataract operation involving removal of the
crystalline lens. Three years later he became Louis XV's eye specialist.
Accoules churchAll that has survived of the original church is the bell tower and some remains of the nave. The
present church, with its circular architecture, dates from the 19th century. The parish of Accoules is one of the
oldest in Marseille.
Le preau des accoulesAt the beginning of the 17th Century the Jesuits founded the Eglise de Sainte-Croix
(Church of the Holy Cross) and the Collège des quatre langues (School of Four Languages). The school
specialised in teaching oriental languages to the young marseillais who were destined to become traders. In 1701
the school became the Royal Observatory in compliance with orders from Louis XIV and also in keeping with the
King's wish to develop commerce in Marseille. The observatory had a series of famous directors including SaintJacques de Silvabelle, Pezenas and Pons who discovered the existence of 37 comets and thus set the
observatory on a European footing. By 1863 the observatory was considered too small and was moved to the
Longchamp Palace gardens. A school has since taken over the old observatory premises while the Preau des
Accoules has moved to the great hall of the Academy of Literature, Science and the Arts designed by JosephEsprit Brun. This museum is entirely consecrated to children and hosts theme-based cultural activities that are
linked to the major exhibitions held in museums throughout Marseille.Nearby lies the Fonderie Vieille street where
originally the Royal foundries were established and later housed various guilds and monastic communities.When
you go down the Montée des Accoules, you may notice that the houses are unusually tall and narrow. This is
because people were only allocated a very limited area of land on which to build; they therefore had to build
upwards. An unusual feature is the fine hand rail that divides the street and that was known as the "conversation"
rail, so called because it enabled people to lean on the rail while chatting to the person opposite.
The Place de LencheThe Place de Lenche is on the site of the ancient Greek market place, from which the
townspeople could keep an eye on events in the port. The square was originally enclosed on all four sides and in
the 6th Century Saint Cassien founded the convent of Saint-Sauveur that was built facing the Saint-Victor
monastery on the opposite side of the port. In the 8th Century the nuns cut off their noses in order to disgust the
Saracen invaders who were intent on raping them. They became known as desnardo (no noses) !. The SaintSauveur cellars that lie under the square were, in fact, the water-tanks of the Greek city in the 3rd Century B.C. .
They were declared National Heritage Sites in 1840 and are considered to be ancient constructions that have
remained in their original condition.The name "Lenche" comes from that of a Corsican family, Lincio, who left their
mark on the square in the 16th Century by establishing a coral-working studio and shops, and by building a
sumptuous private residence. In 1553 Thomas Lenche founded the Coral Company to collect coral along the
Algerian coastline and in 1561 the Bastion was founded, a company that was used as a base for the company's
shipping and trading activities. The Bastion was the origin of the French presence in Algeria and the family
became one of the richest in Marseille. They later married into the highest families, even earning the privilege of
accommodating Louis XIV during his stay in Marseille in 1660.Even though the square was not at the centre of
the explosions that destroyed the old quarters during the Second World War, the German authorities ordered the
South side to be blown up in the winter of 1943. Concrete buildings have since been built on this side of the
square.Streets leading down to the Vieux-Port have been rebuilt to provide view points and the sculptures
scattered throughout the quarter are constant reminders of the area's links with the port.
Saint-Victor Abbey
The bishop of Aix, Lazarus (tradition has often confused him with Saint Lazarus, disciple of Jesus), retained in the
region a monk from Palestine after a long retreat in Egypt with the Desert Fathers.Proculus, bishop of Marseille
(380-430), welcomes John Cassian.Cassian, an anachorete, certainly started monastic life in Marseille. However,
he is probably not the founder of the abbey, as the archaeological evidence of Saint Victor only goes back to the
end of the 5th century. Worship is organized on the site of the present abbey, around a tomb which is venerated.
Tradition, once again, has it that it contains the relics of the eponymous martyr of Marseille from the 4th century.
In reality, the crypta preserve highly valuable archaelogical evidence proving the presence of a quarry exploited in
Greek times, then of a Hellenic necropolis (2nd century BC) which remained in use in the Christian era. It is lost
between the 7th and the end of the 10th century. Saint Victor, like the whole of western Europe, has dark periods
with Norman and Saracene invasions.
In 977, monastic life begins again, thanks to bishop Honorat and the first Benedictine abbot Wilfred who
submitted the abbey to the rule of Saint Benedict. In 102, a Catalan monk, Isarn, becomes master of the novices
and starts extensive building. He constructs the first upper church to which the tower belongs (called Isarn tower),
today the access to the church. The main altar is consecrated in 1040. From the end of the 12th century to the
13th century, the abbey is entirely rebuilt according to the rules of the Romanesque builders.Guillaume de
Grimoard, then abbot of Saint Victor (he became pope in Avignon under the name of Urban V) fortified the
monastery. The entire complex is included in the port defense system by his successor Grégoire XI.From the 11th
century until the 18th century, Saint Victor has total hegemony over the Christians of the Mediterranean area,
from Catalonia to Italy.Gradually, monastic fervour diminishes and the abbey is secularized by order of the pope
in 1739.The Revolution transforms the church into a fodder store, a prison and a barracks. This avoids its
demolition. The abbey is again used for worship under the Premier Empire and restored in the 19th century.
The church was made into a minor basilica in 1934 by Pope Pius XI.Every year at Candlemas, there is an
important pilgrimage at Saint Victor. On 2 February, in the morning, a procession leaves the Old Port for Saint
Victor along Rue Sainte. The black Madonna kept in the crypta is arrayed in her green cloak and is presented to
the public on the square in front of the church. The archbishop blesses her, celebrates mass and then goes to the
"Four des Navettes".
The City Hall
The present City Hall stands where the Town Meeting House stood as early as the 13th Century and provided a
meeting place for the city's traders and Consuls. In the 15th Century the Palais Communal was founded; the new
Town Council met on the ground floor and the Consuls on the first floor. The present building was eventually
constructed in the 17th Century to symbolise the new political status awarded to the city by Louis XIV. The King
ordered that the city should henceforth be managed by aldermen; he also changed the administration of the
port. Built by Mathieu Portal and Gaspard Puget, the City Hall was work of the great Marseille architect Pierre
Puget.
The unusual aspect of the building was that it deliberately separated the traders, who remained on the ground
floor, from the aldermen, who met on the first floor. Consequently, access to the first floor was through a building
located at the rear, using a wooden walkway. The Hôtel de Ville was extended at the end of the 18th Century
when private houses were purchased to constitute the rear body of the building and to form an arcade. The
arcade, which separates the two main sections of the building, comprises a vaulted ceiling that is a masterpiece
of the stone-cutter's craft. The arcade and the handsome stairs leading to the rear body were both designed by
Joseph-Esprit Brun. Puget's building became a National Heritage site in 1948 and now only houses the private
offices of the Mayor. The day-to-day administration of the 16 districts that constitute Marseille is now done from 8
Town Hall annexes.
The architect Franck Hammoutène has designed underground development of adjoining square, to create the
Espace Villeneuve Bargemon, which received the 2006 Equerre d’Argent award, a national architecture prize.
This new space houses the new chamber of the City Council, work and meeting rooms and a large museum area.
The Vieille Charité
In 1640 the Town Council decided to "lock up the poor inhabitants of Marseille in a selected clean place", in
compliance with the Royal policy of "enclosing the poor".In 1670 a charity organisation within the Council of
Aldermen commissioned Pierre Puget, the King's architect whose childhood was spent in the quarter, to design a
Public Hospital intended to accommodate beggars and the poor. The plan was slow in taking shape and the first
stone was not laid until 1671. It was to be one of Pierre Puget's most successful architectural achievements but
was not, however, completed until 1749.The building has four wings that are closed to the exterior but comprise a
3 floored-gallery on the inside that overlooks an inner rectangular courtyard. The 3 levels, forming passages
between the large work and living areas, correspond to 3 floors inside the building that separated men and
women.The chapel in the centre of the courtyard was built between 1679 and 1707 and it proved to be the most
remarkable piece of architecture that Pierre Puget was ever to create for his home town. This chapel with its eggshaped dome is a perfect example of pure Italian baroque.The present façade was not built in the 18th Century
but dates from 1863. It depicts Charity taking in pauper children; this group is flanked by two pelicans feeding
their young.
After the Revolution, and until the end of the 19th Century, the Vieille Charité was used as a hospice for old
people and children. In 1905 the building was occupied by the army and later became a shelter for the destitute.
After the Second World War the architect Le Corbusier was struck by the building and called attention to its
abandoned state. It had been scheduled for demolition but finally became a National Heritage building in 1951.
The Malraux laws resulted in the beginning of remarkable restoration work on the Vieille Charité in 1968. Since
1986 the building has fulfilled a variety of scientific and cultural functions, housing museums and hosting
temporary exhibitions. The Vieille Charité is in the heart of the Panier and is a must for every tourist visiting
Marseille.
The Place des MoulinsThe location of the Place des Moulins has been known since Antiquity and lies at the
highest point in the Panier overlooking the surrounding old town. This upper part of the town was used to defend
Marseille against sea and land attacks and it was from here that the canons were fired.For many years the square
was also occupied by windmills whose sails were easily rotated by the wind in this exposed spot. In 1596, fifteen
windmills could be seen, giving Marseille its characteristic appearance. However, the use of water to drive
machinery gradually took over from the windmills and eventually caused them to close down. In the 19th Century
only three windmills were still operating and their stone bases can still be seen today. In the middle of the 19th
Century the city authorities ordered the buildings to be demolished in order to create a new square with all the
buildings constructed in a more or less identical architectural style. The new Place des Moulins included trees,
benches, an area for playing French bowls and, later, a school that gave it a more village-like atmosphere. In
1840 water tanks were built under the square to supply the city with water. A local organisation set up to promote
the interests of the Panier is presently studying the possibility of opening a museum based around "The History of
Water in Marseille".Since 1983 the City of Marseille has been working towards rehabilitating the Panier and one of
the initial phases of the plan is centred around restoring the friendly atmosphere of the Place des Moulins. The
project is already well under way and the results can be seen in the buildings that have been restored, the
apartments that have been rebuilt and the streets and squares that have been redesigned.
The Cité radieuse-Le Corbusier
It is the work of the Swiss architect Charles-Edouard Jeanneret, better known as Le Corbusier. This impressive
structure, 165 metres long, 24 metres wide and 56 metres high, was built between 1947 and 1951. Its layout is
intended to suggest an urban steamboat anchored in a park.
Powerful elements such as the unsurfaced exposed concrete, pilings and blank gable walls are combined with
other more sophisticated aspects, such as the subtle arrangement of the multi-coloured loggias, or the
superstructures on the terrace roof. This plastic richness, typical of the great architect, associates visual effects
with technical organisation that was exceptional at the time. This laboratory for a new "housing system" comprises
337 flats, with 23 different layouts, providing comfortable living spaces for between one and 10 people. The most
typical layout is designed for 4 people. It is a duplex on two levels. On one level it takes up the whole width of the
building, with a large volume for the living room. A glass panel opens the double height living room onto a
balcony. In addition to these technical refinements, numerous extensions of the living space were introduced,
designed to induce a new way of living in collective housing: an indoor street with shops, and a hotel for resident's
visitors and family members. On the top level is a nursery school and gymnasium. Finally, the terrace roof
provides an area for relaxation with a children's paddling pool, play areas and a stage sheltered by a wind-break
for open air shows.
Ignoring the mockery summed up by the term "Maison du Fada” (The Crackpot's House), its inhabitants adore the
Cité Radieuse. Several flats are still inhabited by the original residents of 1952, and many others have attracted a
clientele of well-to-do teachers and architects. It even gained acceptance, since Le Corbusier built other “cités
radieuses” in the 1950s based on the Marseille model.
L'Estaque and its painters
In the northernmost part of Marseille, nestling at the foot of the Nerthe massif, the little port of Estaque (meaning
attachment in Provençal) is still one of the most picturesque districts of the city. Its development over the
centuries has been closely associated with the traditional tile-making industry. At the beginning of the 20th
century, people would come to L'Estaque to try sea urchins, bouillabaisse, panisses and sardines in hotels and
restaurants built on the water's edge. Bastides, seaside villas (Château Fallet, Villa la Palestine, etc.) veritable
architectural follies, etc. started to spring up next to the traditional small houses belonging to the workers from the
nearby tile factories and cement works.
For art enthusiasts, Estaque is above all one of the key locations in the birth of modern painting. From Collioure to
Menton, just to consider the Mediterranean coast, there are plenty of places that have attracted great painters.
However are there many places that can boast to have been frequented over a period of sixty years (1860-1920)
by ten or so renowned artists? The name of L'Estaque is associated with impressionism, fauvism, cubism: these
three periods that to a great extent determined the nature of painting in our time. Although Cézanne and Braque
are the two major figures, we should not forget painters such as Derain, Dufy, Marquet, Friesz, Macke, Renoir,
Guigou and Monticelli. Most of them painted dozens of canvasses at Estaque. An unusual destiny indeed for this
village, which can firstly be explained by its situation: it offers an exceptional view point, where the panorama of
the bay of Marseille is often very striking.
The explanation for the painters' inspiration can also be found in the large number of different subjects, and in the
variety of shapes and colours, all concentrated in a relatively small space: the horizontal sea, the vertical factory
chimneys, the curves of the hills and the arches of the viaducts, the play of ochres and reds responding to the
intensity of the myriad of greens and blues. A walking tour presents the history of this colourful working-class
district with a strong character, little different nowadays from the village the painters knew and loved. Many of the
themes are still here. To see them you just need to know how to look. Starting from the harbour jetty, take the
painters' path, and after this walk lasting roughly two hours you will understand why these artists were so
attracted to these sites. Eight enamelled lava information panels are positioned at various points of the walk.
If-Castle and Frioul Islands
The If-CastleUntil the 16th century, If is an uninhabited island and the occasional haven of fishermen. It is
François I, who, during a visit to Marseille in 1516, assesses its strategic importance and gives the order to build a
fortress on it. In a very short time, the fortress changes its purpose and becomes a prison. Rebels, ruffians and
refractory galley slaves stayed there for more or less long periods.From 1689 onwards, the Protestants are
thrown en masse into the unhealthy dungeons where many of them die. However, the fortress offers quite decent
living conditions to distinguished prisoners.The most famous prisoner was without José Custodio Faria, whom
Alexandre Dumas immortalized in the Count of Monte Cristo. After having received the revels of 1848 and the
communards of 1871, the fortress lost its prison character and was opened to the public in 1890. As regards
Edmond Dantès, the Count of Monte Christo, the chronicle of If has no trace of his imprisonment. On the other
hand, the hole which he dug in the wall of one of the cells is still very visible.The Château d'If can be visited
thanks to a regular boat service and welcomes every year more than 90 000 visitors.www.monumentsnationaux.fr
The Frioul Islands The Frioul archipelago points to the coast the relief of its 4 islands: Pomègues, Ratonneau, If
and Tiboulen.Calanques, beaches, sandy creeks, impressive cliffs, the light quality and the water transparency
make the islands a spot of great beauty. Still a conservation area, it is an authentic encounter in the
Mediterranean sea. The microclimate generates original and rare floral species, adapted to the conditions of
aridity that characterize the spot. Furthermore, the Mistral is the great actor of the islands, it sculpts, gnaws and
arranges them.The islands are also the kingdom of plants called "xérophytes" because of the dryness and
"alophytes" because of the salt and their strange forms. 200 species can be observed and some are protected.
These islands are also a refuge for numerous birds. They are, for example, the favorite domain of the Caspian
Gull, called "gabian" in Provence.Since 1971 the Frioul Archipelago belongs to the city of Marseille. The little
village "Port Frioul" was created in 1974. There are some restaurants, a leasure port with 700 rings that welcomes
numerous visitors. This island also is the shelter of the first biological aquaculture, for bass, in the world.On the
Frioul island, many creeks can be reached after a walk as well as lovely beaches : Maison des Pilotes (sand), le
Havre de Morgiter (cobblestones and rocks), the calanque of Saint Estève (sand), the "plage du débarcadère"
(cobblestones).
The Caroline HospitalThe history of these islands goes back to the Quaternary period when they were united to
the continent : the discovery of bear- and dear-bones confirm this theory. But it is in the 6th century before JC that
the islands history really begins, in the same time as the history of Massalia. During all the centuries, the islands
are stops for the Mediterranean sailors, warriors or adventurers. Later on, the sanitary function takes a large part
in the protection of Marseille. In the early 19th century the architect Michel-Robert Penchaud built the Caroline
hospital on Ratonneau island to care for patients suffering from yellow fever.
Santons
The terra cotta santon is an emblem of Provence throughout the world. Originating from Marseilles at the end of
the 18th century, it is one of the few craft objects that is still produced using traditional methods.The forerunners
of the noble terra cotta santon were made from breadcrumbs, plaster, wax or crushed glass. Production has
continued right up to the present day, preserving a unique know-how where creation and workshop secrets are
still closely associated.
A world of clayAccording to available records, the first maker of crib santons to use clay was the Marseilles
figurine maker Jean-Louis Lagnel (1764-1822). This material was chosen because it has numerous advantages
compared to plaster. It can be moulded using the fingers to create small details; it dries slowly, making it easier to
rework the figures once removed from the mould; separate elements can be stuck on directly, such as arms, hats
and other accessories using "barbotine" (clay mixed with water), for so-called "detached" santons. Most of the red
clay used comes from the Aubagne area. It is flexible clay, chosen to be as fine as possible to eliminate
impurities. It was at the end of the 19th century that clay became the only material used to make santons. During
this same period, the main problem associated with simple clay - its fragility - was solved by baking it.The three
main qualities a santon maker must possess are strength for the moulding, patience, and dexterity to paint the
figurines. In addition to this of course, each one has their own manufacturing methods and a few secrets handed
down from father to son. Most crib santons are mass-produced using a hollow mould, making it possible to
produce large numbers of identical figurines. The moulds are made up using a model fashioned by means of
chisel from clay. The truly creative phase in the manufacturing process is this fashioning of the model.Once it has
dried, this prototype will give birth to the master mould using a formwork rocess. The master mould is usually
made from plaster, and will make it possible to produce mass-production moulds, used to manufacture the
pieces."Simple" santons are the most widespread nowadays. They are produced using a two-part mould, and so
the model is greatly simplified. The knack is then to reduce the risk of breakage to the minimum.
From stamping to colouringActual manufacturing can then start with stamping, which consists in pressing the
clay into each of the mould's halves. The two halves are then brought together, usually tightened by a clamp. A
system of keys ensures they marry exactly. When clay starts to detach from the mould sides, the figurines are
removed from the mould after an initial drying phase. They are placed in the oven two to three weeks later, and
baked for approximately 10 hours, at a temperature gradually increasing from zero to roughly 960 degrees.After
cooling for approximately 6 hours, colouring of the santons can begin. The figurines are decorated in large groups
following a clearly defined procedure: starting with the lightest parts and finishing with the darkest parts, and from
top to bottom.Most santon-makers use water-based preparations, principally the gouache they make themselves
using traditionally organic pigments, to which they add gum arabic to serve as a binder. The ochres come mainly
from the Apt quarries in the Roussillon area. Occasionally they make use of acrylic paint and sometimes varnish
to complete the finish, or to give clothing and certain accessories a shiny appearance.
All the figurines put on sale by the santon-makers are made using this manufacturing process. They are based on
characters from the "Pastorale" to which are added "figures" representing traditional trades or other characters of
more local interest.
The soap
History of soap manufacturingIn the time of the Gauls, soap was already being used for washing clothes and
tinting hair red. The paste was obtained by blending ashes of beech wood and goat suet. It was said to possess
certain medicinal virtues.The Marseilles soap factory set up in the 16th century just after the crusades took the
activity a step beyond the handicraft level. At the beginning of the 17th century, production in the Marseille
factories was barely sufficient to satisfy demand from the city and the region. The Port of Marseilles even received
soap from Genoa and Alicante. Then the war blocked supplies coming from Spain, and so soap manufacturers in
Marseille had to increase their production to be able to supply the north of France and buyers from the
Netherlands, Germany and England.In 1660 there were 7 manufacturers in the city whose annual production was
close to 20,000 tons. Under Colbert, the quality of soap produced in Marseille was such that "Marseilles soap"
became a byword. At that time the soap was green coloured and was sold in 5 kg bars or 20 kg blocks. In 1786,
48 soap manufacturers were producing 76,000 tons in Marseille. They employed 600 workers and 1,500 convicts
loaned by the prison of Arsenal des Galères.The industry boomed up to the first world war, when shipping
became difficult and the local soap manufacturing activity was severely affected. In 1913, production was 180,000
tons, falling to 52,817 tons in 1918.After the war, soap manufacturing benefited from the progress in
mechanization. The quality of the product was due to the use of traditional processes, and production grew,
reaching 120,000 tons in 1938. When the second world war broke out, Marseilles was still producing half the
national output but the following years were to prove disastrous. Today there are still two manufacturers in
activity: Le Sérail and le Fer à Cheval.
Development of a techniqueFrom the end of the 17th century, strict regulations concerning manufacturing
enabled soap to acquire the image of a high quality product made from an oil and soda emulsion. The only oil was
olive oil and the soda was obtained by burning "soda plants" (marsh samphire and saltwort). This was the first
Marseilles soap.During the 19th century, new discoveries in the field of chemistry and the use of oilseeds made it
possible to develop a second Marseilles soap. Natural soda was no longer used in Marseilles, since the first soda
manufacturers had introduced the "Leblanc" process at the beginning of the century, in which sea salt was
combined with sulphuric acid. Then, ammonia soda produced according to the "Solvay" process was used instead
of crude soda.But the increasing use of artificial soda produced a soap that was too hard and brittle when
manufactured with pure olive oil. Blending of oils became the obvious solution. In 1820, the first "grinding" tests
were carried out using linseed, and then further experiments were conducted using palm oil and sesame seeds.
Groundnut oil quickly became the favourite: as it was colourless it did not affect the colour of the end product, and
trade with the East facilitated the supply of top quality groundnuts. The high quality level of Marseilles soap was
preserved.The development of the industry in the 19th century enabled Marseilles soap manufacturers to create
highly renowned products such as sesame seed oil based "mottled soap" with a 60% fatty acid content or
groundnut or palm oil based "colourless white" with a 72% fatty acid content.The soap industry gave birth to spinoff industries that contributed to the economic development of the city. The most important one was "stéarinerie";
the manufacture of candles using recycled glycerine.
Manufacturing glossaryThe different steps for manufacturing soap have undergone very few modifications over
the years. They continue to be used today.
 pasting of the oils : emulsion of soap fats and oils with lye. The mixture is brought to the boil in enormous
cauldrons.
 "Epinage": removal of impurities from the bottom of the cauldron, carried out three times.
 finishing : the lye is boiled for several hours, then impure sediment is removed again and clean water is
used to rinse the remaining impure sediment to the bottom of the cauldron.
 drying in moulds.
 cutting while the soap is still soft.
 stamping : manufacturer's name and brand after solidification.
"L'art de vivre"
But Marseille’s commercial harbor adjoins 14 separate ports that together constitute Europe’s largest boating
complex.These consist of large ports like the Pointe Rouge, the Frioul and the celebrated Vieux Port as well as
smaller picturesque fishing villages, some virtually unknown to tourists – Madrague de Montredon, Sormiou,
Morgiou, others well frequented, most notably Vallon des Auffes.All these smaller ports share a history, a lifestyle,
an architecture and an atmosphere ideally suited to seaside leisures of both the idel and idyllic kind. These
traditions find their home in the small cabins known as cabanons.The cabanon serves as a sort of country home
where families congregate on Sundays and during vacation periods from spring through fall, when the warm
Mediterranean
climate
lets
them
make
the
most
of
the
surrounding
seascape.
As a refuge characterized by conviviality, the cabanon is widely regarded as an easygoing place to relax and to
amuse oneself with no strict codes of behaviour. Between fellow « cabanoniers » there prevails a sense of
community by which all are made to feel at home. Neighbors meet to drink aperitifs, play boules (the local bowling
game) or cards and share tales of their cabanons...
The cabanon has a history
The cabanon is an integral part of Marseille’s heritage. It’s a tradition that began and grew during the 19th
Century, a period of great growth and prosperity for the city.Although Provençal dictionaries characterize the word
cabanon as the diminutive of « cabane » (cabin), its definition can not fairly be reduced to that of a shelter, a
storage shed, a fishing shanty, a hunting cabin or even a country lodge.More than all that, the cabanon stands as
the main manifestation of a vacation pastime shared by all social classes.Having sprouted as irregulary as weeds
either in the hills and, most notably, the rocky inlets known as calanques, the cabanon is generally recognized as
a modest, street-level structure that, according to the refrain of a famous old song about Marseille written between
the wars, is about as big as an handkerchief.Working-class families congregate there on Sundays and during
summer months.It’s an environment where busybodies slow down and unwind. It’s secluded.It fosters the art of
carefree living, of simplicity, of good humor and love of the nature.Though the number of these cabanons has
diminished, the size of their legend and, with it, the memory of a lifestyle tied irrevocably to Marseille, endures
Even people of greater affluence take special pride in « having » (which is usually to aken to mean « renting ») a
cabanon, or at the very least, spending a Sunday at the cabanon of a friend.To know more, Marseille invites you
on the road of its cabanons to discover the 1001 hidden nooks of its coastline.
A few ideas to satisfy your taste buds :
The famous bouillabaisse, pasta al pesto, seafood, rice with crab, alouettes "sans tête" (meat rolls), Provençal
daube (stew), pieds et paquets (tripe), aïoli, tapenade (olive spread), anchoïade (anchovy spread), stuffed
vegetables, stuffed squid, panisse (garbanzo bean rolls), chichi freggi (sweet fritters), rock fish soup and of course
grilled bass, red or white sea bream served with "rouille" sauce.
The Christmas period is also a good time to share in ancestral culinary traditions, such as the "gros souper" and
the traditional "13 desserts" and later on the "navettes" (boat-shaped biscuits) at Candlemas.
Some recipes to download :
 Soupe au pistou Saint Antoine-style
 Pieds et paquets Marseille-style
 Aïoli
SAINT-VICTOR ABBEY (Abbey) 3 , Rue De l'Abbaye
Vieux Port/Opéra/Vieille ville/St-Victor/Pharo 13007 MARSEILLE
Tel : 04 96 11 22 60/ Fax : 04 96 11 22 61
Email : saintvictor@free.fr Web site : http://www.saintvictor.net
ALLÉES DE MEILHAN (Place - Cours)
La Canebière
Centre/Castellane/Préf/C. Julien/Canebière/P. Just
13001 MARSEILLE
ARC DE TRIOMPHE (Triumphal arch)
Place Jules Guesde
Autour de la gare Saint-Charles/Belle de Mai
13001 MARSEILLE
NOTRE-DAME DE LA GARDE (Basilica)
Rue Fort du Sanctuaire
Corniche/Bord de mer/Les plages 13007 MARSEILLE
Tel : 04 91 13 40 80/ Fax : 04 91 37 28 99 Email : contact@notredamedelagarde.com
Web site : http://www.notredamedelagarde.com
BASILIQUE LE SACRÉ-COEUR (Church)
81 , Avenue Du Prado
Vélodrome/Parc Expos/Palais Sports/Prado/Ste Marg. 13008 MARSEILLE
Tel : 04 91 79 05 28/ Fax : 04 91 83 02 56 Email : sacrecoeurprado@hotmail.com
Web site : http://sacrecoeurprado.over-blog.com
CATHÉDRALE DE LA MAJOR (Cathedral)
Place De la Major
Marseille Nord/Joliette/Les ports/l’Estaque 13002 MARSEILLE Tel : 04 91 90 01 82/ Fax : 04 91 91 70 17
CHAPELLE NOTRE-DAME DE NAZARETH (Chapel)
Traverse De Nazareth
Marseille Est/St-Barnabé/Valentine/Treille/Camoins/Eoures 13011 MARSEILLE Tel : 04 91 00 00 00
Web site : http://amisvieuxsaintmarcel.com/patrimoine/sites-protohistoriques/la-chapelle-nazareth/
Localize
CHÂTEAU PASTRÉ (Country house)
157 , Avenue De Montredon Calanques/Mazargues/Bonneveine/Luminy 13008 MARSEILLE Tel : 08 10 81 38 13
Web site : http://www.marseille.fr
THE IF CASTLE
(Strong Hold)
Les îles 13007 MARSEILLE
Tel : 04 91 59 02 30/ Fax : 04 91 59 05 62
Email : resa-if@monuments-nationaux.fr Web site : http://if.monuments-nationaux.fr/
EGLISE SAINT-FERRÉOL (Church)
Quai Des Belges
Vieux Port/Opéra/Vieille ville/St-Victor/Pharo 13001 MARSEILLE
Tel : 04 91 90 26 69/ Fax : 04 91 90 52 02 Web site : http://catholique-marseille.cef.fr
EGLISE SAINT-LAURENT (Church)
Esplanade De la Tourette
Vieux Port/Opéra/Vieille ville/St-Victor/Pharo 13002 MARSEILLE
Tel : 04 91 90 52 87 Web site : http://catholique-marseille.cef.fr
EGLISE LES RÉFORMÉS - SAINT-VINCENT DE PAUL (Church)
2 , Cours Franklin Roosevelt
Centre/Castellane/Préf/C. Julien/Canebière/P. Just
13001 MARSEILLE
Tel : 04 91 48 57 45/ Fax : 04 91 48 34 75
Email : paroisse.reforme@laposte.net
Web site : http://catholique-marseille.cef.fr
FONTAINE CANTINI (Fountain)
Place Castellane
Vélodrome/Parc Expos/Palais Sports/Prado/Ste Marg.
13006 MARSEILLE
Tel : 04 91 00 00 00
FONTAINE FOSSATI (Fountain)
Place Des Capucines
Centre/Castellane/Préf/C. Julien/Canebière/P. Just
13001 MARSEILLE
Tel : 04 91 00 00 00
FORT SAINT-JEAN (Other Patrimony)
Quai Du Port
Vieux Port/Opéra/Vieille ville/St-Victor/Pharo 13002 MARSEILLE
Tel : 04 91 00 00 00
FORT D'ENTRECASTEAUX (Other Patrimony)
2 , Boulevard Charles Livon
Vieux Port/Opéra/Vieille ville/St-Victor/Pharo 13007 MARSEILLE
Tel : 04 91 00 00 00
GARE SAINT-CHARLES (Train station)
Square Narvik
Autour de la gare Saint-Charles/Belle de Mai
13001 MARSEILLE
Tel : 04 95 04 10 00
HALLE DE PUGET (Covered Market)
Place Pierre Puget
Vieux Port/Opéra/Vieille ville/St-Victor/Pharo
13001 MARSEILLE
Tel : 04 91 00 00 00
JARDIN DES VESTIGES (Ancient archaeological site)
Centre/Castellane/Préf/C. Julien/Canebière/P. Just
13001 MARSEILLE
Tel : 04 91 90 42 22/ Fax : 04 91 90 43 78
Web site : http://www.mairie-marseille.fr
KIOSQUE À MUSIQUE (Other Patrimony)
Place Léon Blum
Centre/Castellane/Préf/C. Julien/Canebière/P. Just
13001 MARSEILLE
Tel : 04 91 00 00 00
L'ESTAQUE AND ITS PAINTERS (Historical neighbourhood)
Marseille Nord/Joliette/Les ports/l’Estaque
13016 MARSEILLE
Tel : 04 91 00 00 00
Web site : http://www.mairie-marseille.fr
THE CITY HALL (Administrative Building)
Quai Du Port
Vieux Port/Opéra/Vieille ville/St-Victor/Pharo
13002 MARSEILLE
Tel : 04 91 55 11 11
Web site : http://www.mairie-marseille.fr