Marseille’s oldest district whispers tales of time, so listen closely. This is the Quai de la Grande Bigue. It’s a place where history sails into the present. The Quai de la Grande Bigue is more than just a street. It is a testament to Marseille’s enduring spirit.
Marseille, a city predating Socrates by over 250 years, was founded around 600 BCE. The Quai de la Grande Bigue has seen it all. This area was once the site initially developed by the Phoceans. These ruins are now preserved in the Jardin des Vestiges.
The port has been an economic hub since antiquity. It was constantly being redeveloped. The stone structure you see today began in the 17th century. Merchant ships once docked here. This made it a vital center for goods and passengers. This lasted until 1840. That was when the Bassin de la Joliette was developed.
The Vieux-Port then became the administrative, commercial, and artistic center. Before it was called Quai de la Grande Bigue, this area had many names. It was once the Quai des Augustins in the 16th and 17th centuries. During the French Revolution, it was briefly named Quai Rousseau in 1789. Under Napoleon, it transformed into Quai Impérial in 1807. After the empire fell, it became Quai Monsieur in 1814. Subsequent names included Quai d’Orléans in 1849 and Quai Napoléon in 1853. In 1871, it was named Quai de la Fraternité. Then in 1915, it was named Quai des Belges. Since 2013, it is officially called Quai de la Fraternité again.
Not far from here, at 1 Quai de la Fraternité, you could take a boat to the Chateau d’If. The Chateau d’If is a fortress and prison. It is best known as the setting for Alexandre Dumas’ novel, The Count of Monte Cristo.
As you stand here on the Quai de la Grande Bigue, look around. Imagine the ships. Hear the merchants. Feel the pulse of a city that has thrived for millennia. The Quai de la Grande Bigue connects you to Marseille’s vibrant past. It also invites you to be part of its continuing story.