Did you know that Boulevard de la Verrerie in Marseille owes its name to a fascinating past? It wasn’t always a boulevard. This spot was once home to bustling glass factories. Imagine the heat the clang the rhythmic movements of skilled artisans.
Boulevard de la Verrerie’s history is deeply rooted in glassmaking. The area’s strategic location near forests provided fuel for the glass furnaces. One nobleman Aliot de Montvin established a glass workshop here in 1427. He cleverly used the local resources. His foresight laid the foundation for the area’s glassmaking tradition.
The glassworks thrived for centuries. One notable glass factory Verrerie Verminck began operations in 1881. It expanded significantly employing nearly 400 people mostly Italian immigrants. The factory operated around the clock. Its two gas-fueled furnaces burned constantly illuminating the neighborhood at night. Even children assisted the workers. The factory used locally sourced sand abundant in the area. A tunnel connected the factory directly to the sea. This efficient system facilitated transportation of materials and products.
Daily production reached impressive levels. Around 1900 the factory produced 20000 bottles and 600 large glass carboys called Dame-Jeanne. The complex was self-sufficient. It included a carpentry shop for making transport crates. There was also a blacksmith for toolmaking and masons for furnace repairs.
Despite its success the Verrerie Verminck wasn’t without its challenges. Workers frequently went on strike demanding better pay from their wealthy employers. Financial difficulties ultimately led to its sudden closure in 1935. A devastating fire possibly an act of worker retaliation followed that year. This event further impoverished the local population. The destruction of the glassworks led to the formation of a shantytown called Sous la Rose.
Today only a boulevard and a beach retain traces of this industrial past. The name Boulevard de la Verrerie a poignant reminder of a time when this area was a major center for glass production in Marseille. Walking along this boulevard you can almost feel the echoes of the glassblowers’ skill and the intensity of their work.