How about we uncover the story behind Rue du Canal in Marseille? This street’s name is more than just a label. It hints at a vital piece of Marseille’s history.
Rue du Canal owes its name to the Canal de Marseille. This canal is a major source of drinking water for Marseille. It quenches the thirst of Provence’s largest city. The canal stretches 80 kilometers along its main path. It also has 160 kilometers of smaller branches.
Imagine the engineering feat. The Canal de Marseille took 15 years to build. Franz Mayor de Montricher directed the construction. The canal began operating on July 8, 1849. It was a significant achievement of 19th-century engineering. It combines bridges, tunnels, and reservoirs over mountains.
Before 1970, the canal was Marseille’s primary water source. Even now, it still provides two-thirds of the city’s drinking water. Marseille faces the Mediterranean. It is crossed by the Huveaune River and its tributary, the Jarret River. These waters were canalised in the 14th century. Over time, they became polluted. The water quality declined. Distribution suffered from poor maintenance.
The river’s small flow meant droughts were devastating. In 1834, the river nearly dried up. Only one liter of water was available per person per day. Marseille’s population grew rapidly in the 1830s. A cholera epidemic from 1832 to 1835 pushed officials to find a solution.
This cholera epidemic killed 100,000 people across France. The disease spread from Asia. It went along the Ganges Valley in 1826. It went to the Caspian and Volga in 1829. By March 1832, cholera reached Paris. It killed 18,000 people. In July 1833, the epidemic hit Marseille. By December 1834, 865 had died. By 1835, the death toll reached 2,500.
The Great Plague of Marseille was still in people’s memories. It had caused around 100,000 deaths a century earlier. In July 1833, 30,000 residents protested the poor conditions. Maximin-Dominica Consolat was mayor from 1832 to 1843. In 1834, he decided to improve conditions “no matter what it costs.” The plan was to bring water from the Durance River. The river was far. Mountains separated it from the city. The idea was to capture water high up. Gravity would feed it to Marseille’s highest point, Saint-Antoine. This allowed water to serve the whole city.
The canal’s construction from 1839 to 1854 covered 80 kilometers. Seventeen kilometers are underground. The canal crosses 18 bridges. One major challenge was the Arc valley. Chief engineer Franz Mayor de Montricher built an aqueduct. It was inspired by the Roman Pont du Gard. This became the Roquefavour Aqueduct at Ventabren. It is now a tourist attraction of Aix-en-Provence. The Roquefavour Aqueduct is 393 meters long.
The canal is mostly concrete. Some parts are stone or brick. Its flow is 10 cubic meters per second. The slope is 0.36 meters per kilometer. The top width is 9.4 meters. The basin width is 3 meters.
Water began flowing through the canal in 1849. Between 1854 and 1869, 77 kilometers of pipes, tanks, and basins were built. This allowed water access throughout Marseille. It also helped neighboring areas. By 1876, Marseille citizens had 30 times more water per capita. There were 370 liters for domestic use daily. There were 660 liters for industrial activities.
Today, the Canal de Provence also supplies water to Marseille. It brings water from the Verdon River. The Canal de Marseille passes through picturesque regions of Provence. It contains bicycle and walking paths. Notable sites include the aqueduc de Roquefavour and the palais Longchamp.
Marcel Pagnol mentioned the canal in his memoirs. He said his father had a key to enter the canal through private property. This shortened his journey. However, the truth of that claim is questioned.
So, as you walk along Rue du Canal, remember this incredible story. It is a tale of engineering. It is a story of public health. The street’s name reflects Marseille’s lifeline.