Hidden amongst the sun-drenched hills surrounding Marseille lies the Bastide des Platanes. This isn’t just any house. It’s a bastide a Provençal manor house. Imagine wealthy Marseillais escaping the city’s summer heat. They sought refuge in elegant country homes like the Bastide des Platanes.
For centuries bastides served as both elegant retreats and working farms. The Bastide des Platanes would have been no different. Olive groves and vineyards would have surrounded the main house. A family would have lived there year-round tending the land. The wealthy owners would visit for holidays or longer stays enjoying the fruits of their estate.
Think of lavish meals under the shade of the plane trees that give the Bastide its name. Picture lively gatherings with friends and family. Games of boules would have echoed across the courtyard. The air would have been filled with the scent of olives sun-ripened fruit and fragrant herbs.
Many bastides were built from local materials like the sturdy poudingue stone. This conglomerate of pebbles and sand provided strong walls. It kept the houses cool in summer and warm in winter. The Bastide des Platanes likely followed this tradition its construction showcasing local craftsmanship and materials.
The 19th century brought changes. The arrival of the Marseille Canal improved access to water. This led to new crops and landscaping. The Bastide des Platanes may have seen its gardens transformed into idyllic spaces with ponds and flowerbeds.
Sadly many bastides were lost to urban development. The Bastide des Platanes however remains a testament to a bygone era. It stands as a reminder of Marseille’s history a link to a time when the city’s elite sought solace in the countryside. It remains a hidden gem a testament to a way of life that once defined the region. The Bastide des Platanes continues to whisper tales of its past. A past full of sun-drenched days bountiful harvests and the laughter of generations.