Built in 1865 Residence Valvert has a rich history. It wasn’t always known as Residence Valvert. Initially called Vague a la mer its name evolved. Charles Gounelle an olive oil manufacturer built this Neo-Renaissance style villa. His granddaughter Aymée inherited it. Then came World War II.
The Vichy regime expropriated Residence Valvert in 1942. It was deemed necessary for military purposes. The French state took ownership. After the war the state didn’t return Residence Valvert to its owners. Instead it housed the National Merchant Marine School until 1967.
In 1967 the state and the city of Marseille exchanged land. The city became the owner. From 1971 to 2002 Residence Valvert housed the Marseille urban planning agency. Later it became home to the UNIDO office. The Office of Economic Cooperation for the Mediterranean and the Orient (OCEMO) also resided there. The World Bank administered the Marseille Centre for Integration in the Mediterranean.
In 2016 the city sought a new tenant. A luxury hotel was proposed in 2018. This sparked protests. Citizens opposed the privatization. A 60-year emphyteutic lease was signed. The 2020 municipal elections brought a new mayor. Negotiations led to a plan to make Residence Valvert more accessible to the public. A artists’ residence was envisioned.
Then in 2021 an unauthorized demolition occurred. This halted the hotel project. The hotelier attempted to restart work but the city wanted to cancel the lease. Residence Valvert’s story continues. Its future remains a subject of ongoing discussion. It is a testament to Marseille’s vibrant past and its ever-evolving present.