“Ever noticed how streets can change their stories?” That’s the tale of Rue du Château Prolongée in Marseille. Today, we explore its past and present.
Rue du Château Prolongée stretches a mere 137 meters. It earned its current name on March 8, 1865. Before that, it was known by a more charming name. It was once called Rue des Brebis. The reason for that name is now lost to time.
The street’s modern name comes from a prominent Provençal family. They owned the seigneury of a small town. That town was in the baillage of Digne called Castrum Rotundum. This area later passed to the Rabier de Châteauredon family. This family appeared in Marseille in the 17th century.
Originally, Rue du Château Prolongée opened towards Rue d’Aubagne. For a long time, it remained a muddy and impassable dead end. Residents complained. So, in 1756, it was improved and widened. Five years later, it stretched to the Rempart. The Rempart was the city’s old wall. After the wall’s demolition, the street extended to Cours Lieutaud. However, it lost its upper section in the process.
Before 2014, Rue du Château Prolongée wasn’t very appealing. It had tiny sidewalks. Cars parked haphazardly. But things changed. The street became semi-pedestrianized. Parking became impossible. This transformation brought a wave of greenery. Plants appeared along both sides of the street. Buildings gained colorful facades. For example, Claude Roffat’s building at number 1. It features the sign L’œuf Sauvage / Bois & Charbons. Art installations also popped up on the walls. One can spot an entrance to the Daki Ling. It is marked “Commissaires-Priseurs.” Its setting enhances its appeal.
However, not everything is perfect. In 2018 and 2020, some buildings faced peril orders. These orders followed the collapse of buildings on Rue d’Aubagne.
To truly appreciate the evolution of Rue du Château Prolongée. Take a look at Rue Jean Roque nearby. It shares a similar layout. But it lacks the greenery. There are only two or three exceptions.
Rue du Château Prolongée is a testament to urban transformation. From a muddy dead end. To a vibrant green space. It reflects Marseille’s ever-evolving character. It shows how a street can reinvent itself. It embraces art, nature, and history. Its story isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about community and change.