A forgotten hero’s name echoes along Boulevard du Capitaine Gèze. This bustling road in Marseille’s 14th and 15th arrondissements bears witness to a life of courage. It commemorates a captain who died for France during the Liberation of Marseille.
Boulevard du Capitaine Gèze stretches almost a kilometer. It links the Rue de Lyon to the Boulevard Danielle-Casanova. Imagine the traffic that has coursed through here over the years. The boulevard plays a vital role. It is a key transit route between the A7 autoroute and the coastal highway. This facilitates access to the port of Marseille.
Originally named Boulevard Oddo Prolongé, this road received its new title after World War II. Boulevard du Capitaine Gèze serves as a boundary. It marks the edge of the Canet and Arnavaux districts. It also forms the northeastern border of the Euroméditerranée urban development zone. This area has undergone significant transformation.
The boulevard actually comprises two distinct sections. The first section dates back to 1892. It extends from Rue de Lyon to the Chemin des Aygalades in La Cabucelle. Picture this area in the 1920s. It provided access to the Camp Oddo. This camp housed Armenian refugees who had survived the genocide. Later, this land became part of the Marseille-Canet freight station.
The second part of Boulevard du Capitaine Gèze emerged during the construction of the Marseille-Canet station. The PLM railway company built it on behalf of the City of Marseille. It aimed to develop underserved areas around the rural Traverse des Treize-Coins. This promoted new industrial establishments. The project included building concrete bridges. These bridges crossed the Aygalades stream and the railway tracks.
In the 1970s, the Géze footbridge was built. It was part of the national interest operation Euroméditerranée. The footbridge was demolished. The demolition aimed to improve the area between Rue de Lyon and the Gèze metro station entrance. The Gèze metro station now serves as a multimodal hub. It includes a park and ride facility. It has a bus station accommodating many bus lines.
While walking along Boulevard du Capitaine Gèze, note the mix of activity. The boulevard primarily serves secondary and tertiary business zones. These include the Aygalades Business Park and Arnavant Activities. At number 67, you will find the Haribo confectionery factory. Also at number 68 sits the Ambrosini HBM group. This social housing complex was built in 1931. It was designed by Lyon architect F. Clermont.
Boulevard du Capitaine Gèze stands as a testament. It honors a fallen hero. It has evolved. It adapted to the needs of a growing city. As you traverse this road, remember its layered past.