Did you know that this very spot once belonged to the Pastré family? Welcome to La Commanderie the Centre d’entraînement Robert Louis-Dreyfus. This isn’t just any training ground. It’s the heart of Olympique de Marseille a place where legends are born and nurtured. Imagine the history woven into the very soil.
This impressive complex opened in July 1991. It was a vision realized by Michel Hidalgo the club’s sporting director from 1986 to 1990. The early years were humble. The facilities were basic. Mostly prefabricated buildings stood on the land. But the dream was strong. The passion for football was undeniable.
La Commanderie underwent its first major modernization in 1998. New buildings arose. A state-of-the-art weight room was added. A cafeteria and a dedicated building for the training center also opened. These improvements laid the groundwork for the club’s future success. This initial expansion improved the overall training environment.
A second modernization wave struck in 2002. This renovation consolidated administrative and media services into one new building. OM TV OM.net and OMmag all found a home here. It made the complex more efficient and cohesive. The club had a real central hub for its operations.
Then came 2009. A brand new sports building emerged. This 2000 square meter structure sprawled across three levels. It is a hub for professionals. It was designed to host the team’s training camps and retreats. The same year this complex received a new name. It became the Centre d’entraînement Robert-Louis-Dreyfus a tribute to the club’s then-owner. This act honored his lasting contribution to the team.
Another expansion occurred in 2011. A new 1900-square-meter youth accommodation center opened its doors. This catered to the young players. It was a huge improvement over the previous accommodations. La Bastide des Platanes the old facility was 13 kilometers away. That building had become outdated.
Today La Commanderie boasts an impressive 9.5 hectares. There are multiple training pitches. One is a large grass field. Others are synthetic. There is even an athletic track for fitness training. The complex is a testament to the dedication to the sport. The facilities provide everything a professional athlete could desire. It has state-of-the-art training facilities. There’s also a thalassotherapy pool a sauna a hammam and even a video room.
As you stand here you feel more than just a training ground. You feel the legacy of Olympique de Marseille. You feel the dreams of aspiring footballers. La Commanderie breathes history and hope. It pulsates with the energy of a team striving for greatness. It’s a place where the past meets the future. Where dreams take root and flourish. A place worthy of its rich history. A place worthy of its powerful name.