Born in Montpellier, Alfred Saurel found his heart captured by Marseille. He embraced the city as a “second birthplace.” Rue Alfred Saurel, this street we stand on, bears the name of this historian and writer. Saurel dedicated his life to documenting the rich history of the Bouches-du-Rhône region. His works include pieces on Cassis, Martigues, Port-de-Bouc, La Penne, and Malaucène. Rue Alfred Saurel stands as a testament to his contributions. Saurel authored a “Statistique de la commune de Cassis” in 1857. This marked the beginning of a series of works focusing on various localities. He contributed significantly to understanding Marseille and its surrounding areas. His writings encompassed fifteen studies and seven illustrated literary journals. One notable journal is “La Provence à travers champs”. He also penned “La Provence artistique et pittoresque”. His most ambitious project was the “Dictionnaire des villes, villages et hameaux du département des Bouches-du-Rhône”. This comprehensive dictionary, supported by the General Council, aimed to synthesize his extensive research. However, the two volumes published in 1877 and 1878 focused primarily on the Marseille arrondissement. So, as we walk along Rue Alfred Saurel, remember the man who tirelessly documented the region’s history. His love for Marseille lives on in the street that bears his name. His works offer a valuable glimpse into the past, preserving the stories of towns and villages for generations to come.
Rue Callelongue
A hidden paradise at the end of the world. That’s Callelongue. Callelongue isn’t just a street it’s a journey. A