A steep climb awaits you. That’s the Rue François Simon. This unassuming street in Marseille’s 3rd and 4th arrondissements holds more than meets the eye. It’s named after François Simon a French painter born and deceased in Marseille.
Imagine the street as a canvas itself. It starts at the intersection with Rue Jobin in the heart of Belle de Mai. A long climb begins. The street passes over railway lines from Marseille-Saint-Charles station. It ends at the entrance to the Chutes-Lavie district. Rue Pautrier Boulevard Barbier and Impasse Barbier mark its boundaries.
Number 12 Rue François Simon is special. It’s the north entrance to the Friche Belle de Mai. This former industrial wasteland has been transformed into a vibrant cultural hub. Number 23 holds another intriguing piece of history. The Villages-Clubs du Soleil a tourist complex now stands there. It replaced a maternity hospital that operated from 1920 to 1996. Think of the lives touched by both.
This seemingly ordinary street tells stories of artistic legacy industrial transformation and community evolution. It’s a journey through time and a testament to Marseille’s dynamic character. As you walk Rue François Simon remember the artist the families and the evolution of this corner of Marseille. The legacy of François Simon lives on not just in his art but also in the very street that bears his name.