La Capelette

Tucked away in Marseille’s 10th arrondissement, La Capelette whispers tales of chapels and industry. La Capelette wasn’t always La Capelette. It started as Canissat, a marshy area filled with reeds. Monks from Saint-Victor Abbey drained the land, opening it up for development. A small chapel, or “uno capeleto” in Provençal, dedicated to Saint Laurent appeared sometime in the 12th century. This humble structure gave the area its current name: La Capelette. The original chapel, rebuilt in the 17th century, stood at the corner of the old Toulon road, now Avenue de la Capelette, and what is now Boulevard Bonnefoy. It later served as a communal school, a police station, and then a store. Sadly, after fires and years of neglect, it was demolished in 2017. But La Capelette’s spiritual heart didn’t disappear. A new, larger Saint-Laurent church was built on Boulevard Saint-Jean, featuring an impressive 1870s organ. La Capelette, nestled between the Huveaune river and the Jarret canal, has a history intertwined with industry. The arrival of the Prado train station in 1872 fueled industrial growth. Street names like Boulevard des Aciéries (Steelworks Boulevard) and Rue des Forges (Forge Street) are echoes of La Capelette’s manufacturing past. Today, service platforms, particularly those related to the automobile industry, have replaced the factories. La Capelette is undergoing a transformation. The Palais Omnisports Marseille Grand Est, built in 2009, stands as a symbol of this revitalization. It connects this once-peripheral district to the vibrant heart of Marseille. The neighborhood, served by the RTM bus line, is also expecting a tramway extension from Place Castellane, further integrating it into the city’s fabric. La Capelette retains a village-like feel within the bustling city. The Jardin Guy Azaïs, a small green space, offers a welcome respite. It’s a place where locals gather, and in the summer, it hosts concerts and projections. La Capelette, a blend of industrial heritage and community spirit, continues to evolve, inviting you to discover its unique character within the tapestry of Marseille.