What if I told you this boulevard was born from farmland? Picture fields stretching where we now stand on Boulevard Chave. In 1842, this all changed.
Boulevard Chave is named for André Chave. He and his brother Nicolas owned vast agricultural land here. They urbanized this area of Marseille. The brothers submitted plans for a large development. The city initially rejected it. The Chaves then acquired land for public access. The city approved the project.
Royal authorization in 1842 spurred construction. Apartment buildings rose quickly. The Chave brothers attracted buyers. They built a performance hall at the corner of the boulevard and Rue de Bruys.
Boulevard Chave became a main east-west route. It was designed as a tree-lined promenade. This mirrored other boulevards created in Marseille.
The boulevard extended over time. It eventually reached the Jarret stream and the Blancarde station. By December 28, 1886, Boulevard Chave was officially part of Marseille’s roadways.
Today, the area thrives. Tram lines limit car traffic. Many local shops attract residents. Middle-class families and young couples enjoy the village atmosphere. Pavement bicycle lanes cause issues for pedestrians. There are petitions to rethink this.
Look at number one Boulevard Chave. Gaudensi Allar designed the building on the corner of La Plaine. Nicolas Henri Chave placed a marble bust there. It honored his father in 1889.
Number 17 once housed the Théâtre Chave. The Chave brothers established the Cercle du Midi. It evolved into an amateur theatre. By 1873, it became a theatre for 1,000 to 1,200 people. Rachel performed there. Le Pétomane also made appearances. Vaudeville, melodrama, and opera were staged. It became a cinema in 1920. The building was destroyed in 1973. PMU offices replaced it and later housing.
Philippe Matheron lived at number 51. He was an engineer and member of the Académie de Marseille.
Fernandel was born at number 72. A bust stands near the corner of Boulevard Chave and Eugène-Pierre. It shows him with a hat and a wide smile.
Art Deco buildings line the street from numbers 153 to 301.
The Mondain at number 166 was a music hall and cinema. It closed in the early 1960s.
From 1852 to 1958, Prison Chave stood at number 191. Architects Vincent Barral and Auguste Martin designed it. During World War II, Jews and resistance members were held there. Nikita Khrushchev visited the primary school built on the site in 1960.
Édouard Balladur lived at number 227 during his youth.
Boulevard Chave isn’t just a street. It is a story of urban development. It’s a blend of past and present. From farmland to a bustling boulevard. Its evolution reflects Marseille’s growth. It is a testament to the vision of the Chave brothers.