Could a street hold the key to a city’s soul? Here on Montée Montgrand, it feels like it could. Montée Montgrand isn’t just a street. It’s a pathway through time, connecting us to the heart of Marseille. This slope, graced by the presence of Lycée Montgrand, reveals a fascinating story. The Lycée occupies a building steeped in history: the former Hôtel Roux de Corse.
Built around 1745 for Jean-André Roux, a prominent Marseille ship owner, the Hôtel Roux de Corse later served as the prefect’s residence starting in 1806. The building underwent significant renovations and redecoration during this period. After the inauguration of the new prefecture in 1866, the city reclaimed the building. In a momentous decision reflecting the spirit of the Third Republic, the city established Marseille’s first girls’ lycée within these historic walls in 1891. An additional floor was added to accommodate the growing student body. Today, the Hôtel Roux de Corse stands proudly as part of Lycée Montgrand, a testament to its enduring legacy. It was officially recognized for its historical significance when it was designated a historical monument on January 13, 1997.
The story of Montée Montgrand is intertwined with the Lycée. It’s a story of transformation and progress. The lycée, initially an annex of Lycée Thiers, began its journey with a faculty borrowed from the boys’ school. The lycée’s name honors a former mayor of Marseille, the Marquis de Montgrand. In March 2021, a series of arson attacks shook the lycée. The first fire erupted on the afternoon of March 23rd on the third floor, prompting the evacuation of 400 students and 35 staff members. Thankfully, no one was injured. Another fire followed on the morning of March 25th in the fourth-floor restrooms. This time, the perpetrator, a student previously unknown to law enforcement, was caught on camera.
Today, Lycée Montgrand continues to thrive on Montée Montgrand. It prepares approximately 800 students for the general and technological baccalaureate exams, with a strong focus on languages, arts, and culture. Its location near the Place Félix-Baret and the Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture makes it a central hub in Marseille’s vibrant 6th arrondissement. Montée Montgrand is more than just a street; it’s a living testament to Marseille’s rich past and its promising future. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most captivating stories are hidden in plain sight.