“Fancy a subterranean journey beneath a children’s playground?” Right here, beneath the Jardin des Trois Lucs, lie the Grottes Monnard. These prehistoric caves hold secrets from Marseille’s past. They offer a cool respite from the city’s heat.
The Grottes Monnard were discovered in 1848. Workers were constructing the Canal de Marseille. They stumbled upon this exceptional site. The tunnel de la Marionne was also being built at the time. The caves remained largely unexplored for decades. It wasn’t until 1888 that their potential was realized. Quarry workers found a cavity. It linked the various chambers of the Grottes Monnard. This discovery made the caves accessible.
The Grottes Monnard are named after their owner. They consist of three distinct sections. These are the Grotte du Commandeur, the Grotte de Saint-Julien, and the Grottes Centrales. The Grottes Centrales are also known as the Grottes de la Marionne.
A chalet restaurant was built near the Grottes Monnard. It was called “Aux Grottes Monnard”. Mr. Moutet ran it at 4 chemin des Olives. The restaurant served bourgeois cuisine. It also offered picnic options. Visitors could explore the Grottes Monnard in an hour. It was presented as a family excursion.
The tour of the Grottes Monnard began in “l’antichambre des chauves-souris”. This was the vestibule. Groups gathered there before descending. The descent started with 15 abrupt steps named “Le colimaçon”. This led to three forks in the path.
The first path to the right led to the “coin des Stalactites naines”. It also led to the entrance of the “Labyrinthe”. The Labyrinthe is a vast maze of rooms. The second fork led to the “Trou du Chat”. It also led to the Grotte des Olives. This part had black stalactites. Then came the “Four Original”. Next was the descent of “Rompe-Cul”. Finally, there was the “Salle de Cristal”. It was known for its cauliflower-like stalactites. They had an immaculate whiteness. The third fork led to the “Salle des Champignons”. A statue of Notre Dame des Grottes stood here. Parisians once grew mushrooms in this area. Visitors then reached the “Défilé des Canards”. Finally, there was the “Grande Rotonde”. It was next to the Canal de Marseille. This point was 25 meters below the chalet.
The path continued to the “Trou du Diable”. It went to the “Descente Infernale”. This was almost 60 meters deep. It led to the “Salle Royale”. This chamber had a 220-meter circuit. It featured a lake. The lake was 3 to 6 meters deep. The water was crystal clear. It was safe to drink. It was rich in magnesium.
The tour ended with a climb. It used “l’Echelle de Pluton”. It used the “Passage du Coude”. This passed under the canal. A horse’s head was found here. It dated back to the Quaternary period. An elephant’s head was also found. They are now in the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle. The “Défilé des Canards” concluded the visit to the Grottes Monnard.
The lake became a water source for the Brasserie Phénix. It supplied water until 1970. In 1993, the city tried to claim the Grottes Monnard. They wanted the underground canal and source. The Société Française de Brasserie fought back. They retained ownership. Today, the entrances to the Grottes Monnard are obstructed. This is due to previous rockfalls. The Brasserie Phénix was acquired by Heineken in 1988. They still own the site. So next time you see a bottle of Heineken, remember the Grottes Monnard. Its water once contributed to the beer.