Picture this Rue Guibal in Marseille a straight line cutting through history. It sits between Saint-Charles and Belle de Mai neighborhoods. These are the 1st and 3rd arrondissements of Marseille. Rue Guibal marks their boundary.
The street starts where Boulevard National and Rue Honnorat meet. It follows the tracks of Marseille-Saint-Charles train station. It passes under the bridge of the line to Marseille-Joliette. Rue Guibal ends at Rue Jobin and the Rue Bénediet tunnel.
But why Guibal? The name isn’t some ancient hero or a forgotten saint. It’s thanks to Messageries Guibal. This company had its stables right here. Before this Rue Guibal had a different name. It was called Rue Mouren. This older name appears in Marseille records. Guibal appears for the first time around 1860. By 1880 you could find A Lassave’s stables here. Lassave was the successor of A and E Guibal.
Rue Guibal isn’t just about horses and deliveries. It’s a street of hidden treasures. At its corner with Rue Clovis-Hugues sit the Marseille Municipal Archives. They hold centuries of the city’s stories.
Number 21 houses a treasure trove of art. The Interdisciplinary Center for Conservation and Restoration of Heritage protects priceless works. Number 37 is home to the Belle de Mai Media Center. This center occupies a former tobacco factory. It’s famous for something unexpected. It’s where they film Plus Belle la Vie a popular French TV soap opera. The fictional Mistral district comes to life here. The local INA office also resides within its walls.
At the intersection of Rue Guibal Rue Jobin and Rue Bénediet lies the Belle de Mai wasteland. This area represents Marseille’s ever-changing character. So next time you’re in Marseille remember Rue Guibal. This unassuming street holds more stories than you can imagine.