Once upon a time, birds soared freely above what we now call the Ancienne volière de la bastide de Luminy. This place whispers tales of transformation. It began centuries ago.
The story of Luminy itself goes back a long way. The name “Luminie” first appears in records from the year 1005. Back then, it was just land.
The land belonged to the Abbaye Saint-Victor in the 11th century. Monks cultivated vines here and supposedly built a chapel. Later, the area became a convent in 1242 for young noble women. An abbess oversaw its expansion. Luminy then became known as Abbaye du Mont de Sion.
The d’Ollières family acquired the property in the mid-16th century. They developed the land for wheat, oats, and vineyards. Historical accounts mention excellent muscat grapes at Luminy. These grapes were also used to make wine for the monks.
The French Revolution brought upheaval. The d’Ollières family sought refuge at Luminy. However, revolutionaries found them. They killed or imprisoned the family. Only Madame d’Ollières survived.
In 1819, Madame Baudoin sold the 1200-hectare property to Augustin Félix Fabre. He was a wealthy shipowner from Marseille. The Fabre family shaped the bastide as we know it now.
After Augustin Félix’s death in 1850, the estate remained undivided among his heirs. The house expanded to accommodate the growing family. Luminy became a popular summer retreat. The Fabres built pleasure gardens and even a billiards room.
Summers at the Ancienne volière de la bastide de Luminy were filled with hunting. There were grand receptions and family walks. The Fabre family enjoyed the Calanques trails.
In 1945, the state acquired the Luminy estate. They decided to establish a university campus here. Today, it hosts more than 8,000 students.
The bastide and its dependencies were restored. In 1979, the Centre International de Rencontres Mathématiques moved in. Invited professors from around the world reside here for extended periods.
The Ancienne volière de la bastide de Luminy stands within the Luminy park. This park is open to everyone. It is near the bus stop.
The park is easily accessible. Take bus B1 or 521 to the Campus de Luminy terminus. Coordinates are 43.230051, 5.444017.
The Ancienne volière de la bastide de Luminy is a testament to time. It has moved from religious grounds to a family estate and finally to an academic hub. It has seen monks, nobles, and mathematicians.