Peeking out from the 11th arrondissement is the historic Saint-Menet. It is a place where echoes of Marseille’s past resonate. Today we will explore the stories of Saint-Menet.
Saint-Menet is more than just a location. It is a crossroads of history and culture. Saint-Menet is located in the 11th district of Marseille. It is easily accessible near the A50 freeway. This provides quick access to the best tourist sites.
Once known as the “Provençal Switzerland” Saint-Menet was a verdant retreat. Nobles and wealthy bourgeois built beautiful country houses here. These majestic castles like Régis, Buzine and Reynarde formed the backdrop of this countryside.
Industry also shaped Saint-Menet. The valley of the Huveaune saw the rise of factories in the 1950s. This industrial activity led to a vibrant village core. The CIQ remembers those days fondly when residents took the blue Gémenos bus to the city center.
Raymond from the CIQ recalls the construction of housing linked to local businesses. He remembers the Nestlé complexes built for workers. Others added rooms to their homes to house family members. These relatives came to work in the area.
In the past Saint-Menet was a lively place. People met at church on Sundays but also at the grand café. There was also a drugstore and a gas station where fuel was poured from jars. Young people gathered at the village cinema. It was near the presbytery of the 11th-century church.
Saint-Menet was also home to famous factories. These included Arkema and Nestlé. Nestlé later became Netcacao and Chocolaterie de Provence. There was also an old loukoum factory.
Until the 1960s Saint-Menet was a farming stronghold. Large farms dotted the landscape. Today some artisans still practice their trades. A metalworker is still active in the village. He molds copper into art.
Saint-Menet cleverly mixes tradition and modernity. Residents enjoy jazz concerts at the Buzine. They also attend festivals organized by the CIQ. Saint-Menet offers a diverse range of activities.
Although the Nestlé factory in Saint-Menet closed in 2016 it once operated under the name La Chocolaterie de Provence. This transition occurred in 2012. Russian groups Dar and Uem took over the factory.
The Château de Montgrand played a somber role. Until 1942 it served as a detention center. Foreigners deemed “undesirable” were interned there. Later 42 individuals were moved to the Reillanne center in Haute-Provence.
Today Saint-Menet continues to evolve. It honors its past while embracing the future. From its industrial roots to its beautiful landscapes Saint-Menet has many stories.