What if these walls could talk? The Bastide Belombre stands before us. It is a silent witness to centuries of Marseille’s history. Let’s uncover some of its stories.
The term bastide refers to a manor house in Provence. These houses were often retreats for the wealthy. They sought leisure and agricultural pursuits. Bastides are more elegant than farmhouses. They became popular as summer homes for Marseille’s elite in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Bastide Belombre has a rich past. In 1715, the land where Bastide Belombre now stands was bare. It belonged to Suzanne-Marseille Lefèvre. She was the widow of François Castor.
Later, the Bastide Belombre belonged to Madame de Simiane. She was the granddaughter of Madame de Sévigné. Madame de Simiane lived here for six summers. That was from 1731 to 1737. She affectionately called it her “guinguette”. She sometimes signed her letters as “la Bastidane de Belombre”.
In 1720, Monseigneur de Belsunce also lived here. The bastide then passed through several owners. These included Monsieur De Malijai. Later, a Greek merchant named Monsieur Negreponte acquired it. Stendhal himself stayed at Bastide Belombre in 1837.
Marc-Elysée Baux owned it in the 19th century. His son, Jean-Elysée, even became the mayor of Marseille in 1848. Monsieur Verminck also owned Bastide Belombre. He was a prominent merchant and shipowner. The Brun family acquired Belombre around 1913.
Originally, a beautiful park surrounded the Bastide Belombre. It was shaded and adorned with statues. Today, large buildings surround it. Sadly, only the main house remains. The annexes have been destroyed. Its facade was modified in the 19th century. The Bastide Belombre has lost some of its original style.
Madame de Simiane wrote about Belombre in her letters. She described its beautiful garden. It had rivers, woods, flowers, and fountains. She invited the Marquis de Caumont to visit.
In 1734, she wrote of the park’s decline. She said it had become a pasture for sheep. A Jesuit college replaced a place called Belle-Isle.
Though changed, the Bastide Belombre remains. It is a reminder of Marseille’s past. It evokes images of elegant estates and notable figures. It stands as a testament to the passage of time. The Bastide Belombre is a piece of Provence’s rich history.