Imagine farmers working the land. This is Chemin du Ravin de Saint-Henri. It’s a place with a rich past in Marseille. Once, this area was part of the Sèon estate. The Saumati family owned it. They leased the land to farmers back in the 16th century.
In 1745, something significant happened. Saint-Henri gained its own parish. This made it independent from Saint-André. Monseigneur de Belsunce oversaw this change. After the French Revolution, Saint-Henri joined Marseille.
Wine was the main product here. The dry land and sunny hills were perfect for vineyards. But in 1863, disaster struck. Phylloxera disease destroyed the vines. Saint-Henri never recovered its vineyards. It turned to industry instead.
Saint-Henri had plenty of clay. People used it to make amphorae in ancient times. By the 19th century, tile production grew massively. The industrial revolution fueled this growth. In 1805, there were 21 tile factories with 45 workers. By 1860, there were 150 factories employing 800 workers. That’s Chemin du Ravin de Saint-Henri.
The landscape changed dramatically. Clay pits scarred the area. These pits became a defining feature. Tall chimneys from the Hoffman kilns rose above everything. Workers built their own homes near the factories. These were often shacks made from discarded tiles. These informal settlements and typical workers’ housing arose around Chemin du Ravin de Saint-Henri.
The growing industry needed workers. Many immigrants came to Saint-Henri. Italians, Spaniards, and Armenians arrived in the early 20th century. Later, Algerians came to work in the factories. The population boomed. It grew from 714 in 1820 to 10950 in 1930. Most people worked in the tile factories. This included both men and women.
Today, Chemin du Ravin de Saint-Henri carries echoes of its past. It reminds us of agriculture, industry, and the people who shaped it.