Didn’t Madame de Sévigné, in 1673, capture the essence of what we see scattered around Marseille? She described the bastides dotting the landscape. Today we are standing in front of one of these jewels the Bastide Timon-David.
The Bastide Timon-David stands as a testament to Marseille’s rich history. It is a window into the lives of the city’s elite. These families sought refuge and leisure in the countryside. The Bastide Timon-David is more than just a building. It represents a Provencal lifestyle.
Back in the 17th and 18th centuries, Marseille’s wealthy merchants built these bastides. They were seeking respite from the bustling port city. The Bastide Timon-David was not just a place of relaxation. It was also an agricultural domain. Many bastides cultivated olive trees and vines.
The David family, prominent since 1654, originally owned this land. Jean Timon inherited the property. This happened on the condition that he adopt the David name. Thus, the Timon-David lineage began. In 1765 Jean Timon-David constructed this bastide. Following tradition, it was feminized. It became known as La Timone.
Interestingly, the Timon-David family has left an indelible mark on Marseille. The avenue Timon-David bears their name. Also the hospital of La Timone echoes their legacy. Joseph-Marie Timon-David dedicated his life to the city’s youth. He founded the Work of the Young Workers.
From 1832, the Bastide Timon-David became a place of education. In 1919, the Abbé Fouque entrusted the site to the Dominican sisters. They renamed it Cours Saint-Thomas d’Aquin. The school provided education from kindergarten to baccalaureate. In 2012, it had approximately 500 students. Sadly, the school closed in 2012. The Dominican sisters could not afford necessary renovations.
In 2019, a new chapter began. About fifty residential units were marketed. They were called “Bastide Saint-Thomas d’Aquin”. The project benefited from tax advantages. This was due to renovations on a historic monument.
The Bastide Timon-David is a reminder of Marseille’s past. It embodies the Provencal lifestyle. It is a place where history, education, and community converge.