Did you know that the Citu00e9 des Chutes Lavie wasn’t always the quiet residential area it is today? It has a fascinating story rooted in industry and innovation. The Citu00e9 des Chutes Lavie is one of the four districts making up Marseille’s 4th arrondissement. It offers a unique glimpse into the city’s past.
Let’s journey back to the late 19th century. The landscape here was dramatically altered by the arrival of the Canal de Marseille. This canal brought fresh water to the city. An entrepreneur named Lu00e9on Lavie saw immense potential in this new water source.
Lavie, originally from Constantine, had experience with water-powered mills. Attracted by the Durance water arriving in Marseille, he arrived here in 1878. In 1882, Lavie rented the Moulin de la Briolle. It was located on the former Forestat property in Saint-Marcel. He began his milling operations.
Lavie was an innovator. He improved the mill’s machinery. He introduced new milling processes. A steam engine significantly boosted production. It tripled the output.
Seizing an opportunity, Lavie purchased a large plot of land in Saint-Just. He secured a concession for water supply. He then constructed a series of mills along the hillside. The steep slope provided powerful driving force. The Citu00e9 des Chutes Lavie owes its name to these artificial waterfalls.
Lavie’s business thrived. He leased buildings to other industrialists. Moricelly, Olive, and Caire established their own milling operations here. Oil mills like Verminck also joined. Even a maize mill owned by Guieu set up shop. The Citu00e9 des Chutes Lavie became a hub of industrial activity.
But the story doesn’t end with mills. The Pavillon de partage des eaux des Chutes-Lavie also stands here. It is also known as Le Tore. This civil engineering edifice is now a listed building owned by the city of Marseille.
Built between 1899 and 1906, it was designed by Baptistin Duce. He was an engineer with the Canal de Marseille. The Pavillon played a vital role in supplying fresh water. It served the new districts north of the city center. It extended all the way to the Palais Longchamp.
The Pavillon distributed water brought by the Canal de Marseille. It supplied neighborhoods north of the Gare Saint-Charles. It also provided water to Sainte Marthe. Even steam locomotives of the Paris-Lyon-Marseille railway benefited. The Pavillon overlooked the roundhouse on Rue Pautrier built in 1889.
After World War II, this open-air distribution system was abandoned. A pressurized torus replaced it.
Today, the Citu00e9 des Chutes Lavie is largely residential. It is known for its peaceful atmosphere. It even ranked 5th globally as an up-and-coming neighborhood according to Airbnb in 2016. It is a testament to its blend of history and modern living.
As you wander through the Citu00e9 des Chutes Lavie, remember its past. From innovative mills to a vital water distribution system, this area played a significant role in Marseille’s development. It’s a reminder that even the quietest corners of a city can hold fascinating stories.