Is it just me or does Avenue de Saint-Menet whisper tales of transformation? This avenue resides in the 11th arrondissement. It is a district of Marseille, eastward bound. Saint-Menet is more than just a location. It is a story etched in stone and whispered on the wind.
Once upon a time, Saint-Menet was an industrial area. Today, it is transforming into a residential haven. The avenue reflects this shift. It bridges the gap between the past and the present.
Saint-Menet’s identity is split. The north side offers residential charm with bastides and quality living. The south is defined by intense industrial and transport activity. The A50 motorway marks these limits. It carves through Saint-Menet’s heart.
Let’s rewind a bit. The name Saint-Menet has puzzled historians. Some believe Menne and Benoît were the same person. Others link it to a Roman named Memmus. Still others propose a Roman general Penellus. However, no one seems to know this Penellus.
In 1070, the church of Saint-Menet emerged. It started as Ecclesia Sancti Menne. It was mentioned in the cartulary of Saint-Victor. The church was dedicated to Saint Benoît.
Fast forward. Guillaume Cabofigue established a domain on the future Château de la Buzine site in the late 15th century. Henri de Buzens later named his Saint-Menet domain “La Buzine” in the 17th century.
Saint-Menet had three important minoteries in the 18th century. These establishments prepared flour. Hay and fruit production were famous here too.
The renowned architect Pierre-Hilaire Curtil purchased the Buzine domain in 1865. He built the château in a Louis XIII style blended with Romano-Byzantine touches.
Victor Régis, a shipowner, bought the Château de la Buzine in 1869. Later, in 1883, Joseph-Théodore Mante acquired the Château de la Buzine.
Marcel Pagnol spent his first vacations in La Treille in 1904. He later acquired the Château de la Buzine in 1941. He wanted to create a “Cité du Cinéma” there.
The A50 motorway disrupted Saint-Menet’s bucolic imagery. Events unfolded rapidly. Signs of renewal appeared in the 1990s around Notre-Dame-de-la-Jeunesse.
In 1973, Kaufman & Broad purchased the Château de la Buzine. They also bought surrounding land to build 249 villas. This became the Parc des Sept Collines.
The Château de la Buzine became Marseille’s property in 1995. In 1997, it was listed on the Inventory of Historical Monuments.
From 2006 to 2013, the city restored the Château de la Buzine. It became the “Maison des Cinématographies de la Méditerranée”. A cinema with a balcony can host 350 people.
Saint-Menet also boasts other landmarks. These include the Château de la Reynarde. It is dedicated to children’s education. The Château Régis houses the Notre-Dame de la Jeunesse school. Château Saint-Antoine was purchased by the Grande Loge de France in 2017.
Today, Saint-Menet strives to reclaim its unity. It is reconnecting with nature and its history. Efforts are underway to revitalize the area. Saint-Menet is transforming into a desirable residential area. It has a blend of history, nature and community spirit.