Boulevard Augustin Cieussa

Born in Marseille, Augustin Honoré Cieussa left his mark on the Boulevard that now bears his name. Boulevard Augustin Cieussa isn’t just a street. It’s a piece of Marseille’s history, intertwined with the life of a local entrepreneur. Cieussa managed a quarry here before selling the land to the city. He was born in the Saint Lambert district in 1859 and passed away in 1919. His legacy extends beyond the boulevard. A boules court also carries his name, a testament to his impact on the community. Boulevard Augustin Cieussa also holds a more recent history, a story of architectural controversy. In the 1960s, at the foot of the cliff left by Cieussa’s quarry, several buildings were constructed. These structures, including Le Galion and two Grande Corniche buildings, were criticized for obstructing the view from Vallon des Auffes. The cliff itself became a point of contention. In 2020, an article highlighted the city’s responsibility for securing the Samatan cliff face, rather than the residents of the exposed Le Galion building. After all, it was the city that issued the building permits in this former limestone quarry. So, as you stand on Boulevard Augustin Cieussa, remember, you’re not just on a street. You are walking through the legacy of Augustin Cieussa, a man whose impact resonates through time, from the quarry to the boules court, and even in the shadows of the controversial buildings that now line the boulevard.