Nouveau Parc Sévigné

Nestled between Sainte-Marguerite and Sainte-Anne, Nouveau Parc Sévigné whispers tales of Marseille’s ambitious past. Right here, where the former Bastide La Magalone once stood, a vision of modern living took root. Nouveau Parc Sévigné emerged in the early 1960s, a bold response to the iconic Cité Radieuse nearby. While Le Corbusier’s masterpiece stood on pilotis, detached from the ground, Nouveau Parc Sévigné embraced the street level. Architects André Chrysocheris and Jacques Berthelot envisioned a vibrant urban space. They designed low-rise structures housing shops, a medical center, and even a planned church. These structures flowed into covered walkways, connecting the towering residential buildings. Nouveau Parc Sévigné wasn’t just about housing; it was about community. The heart of the second phase, known as Nouveau Parc Sévigné, was the “forum.” This central commercial hub pulsed with life. Shops, a bank, restaurants, and a pharmacy bustled beneath the residential towers. Covered walkways and galleries weaved through the forum. They provided sheltered access to both homes and businesses. Imagine strolling through these walkways, the scent of fresh bread from the bakery mingling with the murmur of conversations. The design even incorporated patios, punctuating the walkways with light and air. Look around. The echoes of this ambitious plan are still visible today, in the layout of the buildings and the network of walkways. Nouveau Parc Sévigné, with its blend of residential and commercial spaces, stands as a testament to Marseille’s urban development. This complex of seven buildings, including three towers reaching up to 23 stories, housed over 1,000 Logéco-style apartments. Nouveau Parc Sévigné wasn’t merely a housing project; it was a statement. It reflected the changing face of Marseille. The city was moving away from scattered bastides and embracing modern, dense urban living. Nouveau Parc Sévigné, along with neighboring developments like La Cravache, aimed to create a cohesive urban landscape. It was a grand experiment in urban living, a microcosm of Marseille’s ambitions for the future.