Gazing at Bastide La Maurelle, can you sense the echoes of centuries past? This grand bastide whispers tales of Marseille’s rich history. Bastide La Maurelle stands as a testament to a bygone era, a tangible link to the city’s vibrant past. It’s a beautiful example of a Provençal bastide, once a countryside retreat for Marseille’s elite. These bastides were more than just summer homes. They were a lifestyle, blending leisure with the practicalities of agricultural domains, primarily olive and vine cultivation. Bastide La Maurelle holds a special place among these historic villas. The very name, “Maurelle”, hints at a story waiting to be uncovered. While many bastides have faded with time, Bastide La Maurelle persists. It offers a glimpse into the lives of those who shaped Marseille. Imagine the bustling activity within its walls. The de Guillermy family, original owners of the land, constructed this very structure in the 17th century. They transformed land once belonging to the 16th-century poet Jean de La Ceppède into a magnificent estate. They hosted prominent figures like Paul Barras and Princess Françoise of Orléans. The bastide witnessed changing hands, passing from the de Guillermys to the Savin family and later to Mr. Rousset who, by 1941, had leased it to the police. The echoes of the past resonate even more deeply here. The construction of the A7 autoroute nearby, a scar of progress cutting through history, almost overshadowed it. The French state acquired Bastide La Maurelle in 1957. It continued to serve as a police station until 2004, adding another layer to its multifaceted history. Even a controversial proposal to house Romani people here in 2009, though ultimately abandoned, speaks to the bastide’s enduring presence in the city’s narrative. Now, as you stand before Bastide La Maurelle, imagine the stories it could tell. From aristocratic gatherings to police operations, its walls have witnessed a vibrant tapestry of human experience. It stands as a proud symbol of Marseille’s history, a whisper of the past in the present day.
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