Rue d’Eylau

Tucked away in Marseille’s 6th arrondissement, Rue d’Eylau whispers tales of battles and benevolence. Rue d’Eylau isn’t just a street. It’s a thread woven into the tapestry of Marseille’s vibrant history. This short, 80-meter stretch connects Rue de Lodi to Rue de Friedland, sloping gently downwards. Its name echoes the thunder of cannons from the Battle of Eylau, a Napoleonic victory in 1807. But Rue d’Eylau’s story begins long before Napoleon. The land was once a sprawling domain, nearly 6,000 square meters, belonging to the Dominican friars. In 1791, it was acquired by Jean-Baptiste Reynault, a candle maker. Ownership shifted through various hands, each leaving their mark on this little corner of Marseille. One notable resident was Jean-Joseph Maunier, who built his bastide here in 1793. The property eventually found its way to Lucien Saisse, who, in 1851, sold it to the Bishop of Marseille. The bishop’s vision was to transform the bastide into a church, dedicated to Saint Jean-Baptiste. Rue d’Eylau also holds a story of compassion. In 1846, a nurse named Mme Favier spearheaded the construction of a house for the Protestant poor at number 1. This humble beginning evolved into the Ambroise-Paré Hospital, thanks to a generous land donation in 1848 by Mayor Jean Élysée Baux. The hospital stood as a testament to community care for over a century. It expanded significantly in the late 1980s, encompassing neighboring buildings. Finally, in 2013, the Ambroise-Paré Hospital closed its doors, its legacy absorbed by the new European Hospital. The original building was demolished in 2014, replaced by residential buildings. Yet, a trace of its benevolent past remains. The parish of Saint-Jean-Baptiste still stands at number 2 Rue d’Eylau, a quiet sentinel witnessing the street’s ever-changing story. Rue d’Eylau reminds us that even in the midst of urban renewal, whispers of the past continue to echo.