Remember Auguste Honoré Cieussa. The story of Boulevard Augustin begins with him. This boulevard in Marseille bears his name. But who was he?
Auguste Honoré Cieussa was born in Marseille in 1859. He lived in the Saint Lambert quarter. Cieussa managed a stone quarry. This quarry was located in the Catalans area. Later, he ceded the land to the city. Cieussa died in 1919. His descendants still lived on the street in 1987.
The Boulevard Augustin Cieussa wasn’t always a boulevard. Once, it was the site of Cieussa’s stone quarry. This quarry provided stone for Marseille. Imagine the sounds. Chisels rang against stone. Carts rumbled. Men shouted. The air filled with dust.
After Cieussa ceded the land, the quarry was transformed. It became the Boulevard Augustin Cieussa. This boulevard is a testament to industry. It also honors a local figure. A boulodrome on the boulevard also carries the Cieussa name. This shows his lasting impact.
In the 1960s buildings rose near the Cieussa quarry’s cliff. These included the Galion building. Also, there were the two Grande Corniche buildings. Some criticized these buildings. They felt the buildings ruined the view from Vallon des Auffes.
In 2020, an article addressed cliff safety. It stated the city was responsible for securing the Samatan cliff. This was due to building permits issued in the old quarry.
Today, Boulevard Augustin is more than a street. It is a place of movement. Buses run frequently. Bus lines 54, 81, and 83 stop here. The nearest bus stops are Corniche Frégier and Eglise D’Endoume. These are just a short walk away.
Other transit options are available. Trains C2, C5, and C6 also stop near Boulevard Augustin. Metro lines M1 and M2 provide access. The Vieux-Port metro station is a longer walk. Ferries also connect to the area. The nearest ferry station is Place Aux Huiles.
Boulevard Augustin Cieussa links to many places. The S7 bus goes to Place De La Corderie. Bus 83 travels to Metro Rond Point Du Prado. Bus 81 connects to Metro St Just.
So, as you stand here on Boulevard Augustin, consider its past. Think of Auguste Honoré Cieussa. He shaped this area. He left his mark on Marseille. The boulevard is more than just a road. It is a piece of Marseille history.