Avenue Saint-Saens

Hidden behind the grandeur of the Opéra de Marseille lies Avenue Saint-Saëns, a street humming with a quieter tune. Avenue Saint-Saëns isn’t just a street; it’s a backstage pass to the opera’s vibrant history. The Opéra de Marseille, as you see it today, is a phoenix risen from ashes. The original building, dating back to 1787, was tragically gutted by fire in 1919. Only the neoclassical colonnade survived, a ghostly reminder of the past now incorporated into the Art Deco façade of the current opera house which stands proudly on Rue Saint-Saëns. Avenue Saint-Saëns, just steps from the bustling Canebière and the historic Old Port, offers a glimpse into a different side of Marseille. Tucked away behind the opera house, it holds a secret. A peculiar black structure known as the Opéra Noir sits on Place Lulli, just off Avenue Saint-Saëns. This twisted, Dali-esque music pavilion plays a continuous loop of remixed sounds from within the opera house. Imagine ghostly whispers of stage machinery, snatches of singing, and the echoing applause of audiences long past, all swirling together in a unique auditory experience. After a performance at the Opéra de Marseille, Avenue Saint-Saëns offers some intriguing possibilities. If you’re looking for a late-night bite, O’Stop on Rue Saint-Saëns is open 24/7. Or perhaps you’d prefer the bohemian atmosphere of Le Mas on Rue Lulli, a show-business haunt adorned with signed photos of celebrities, open until the last customer leaves. Avenue Saint-Saëns. Remember the name. It’s more than just a street. It’s a hidden melody in the symphony of Marseille.