Isn’t it amazing how a simple street name can hold so much history? Right here we are at Rue Labry in Marseille. It is more than just a street. It’s a slice of Marseille’s past.
Rue Labry is nestled in a city with a story stretching back to ancient times. Marseille was founded by Greek sailors around 600 BCE. They called it Massalia. This makes Marseille the oldest city in France.
Now picture this Rue de la République. Its history began in 1864. Marseille decided to create this grand thoroughfare. It was over 1.5 km long. This massive project meant demolishing 935 houses. Almost 61 streets disappeared. It took four years to complete this task from 1860 to 1864. Before it was Rue de la République, it was called rue Impériale. The official naming happened on October 16, 1870.
The buildings along Rue de la République feature Haussmann style architecture. This style was popular with the bourgeoisie. However most wealthy residents preferred other districts. They chose quartier Vauban or quartier des Antiquaires. The proximity to the Vieux Port was not always desirable back then. It is quite different today.
Since the 2000s Rue de la République has been part of the Euro-Mediterranean project. This meant renovating 4000 rental homes. In 2005 many units were bought by groups and franchises. The goal was to renovate them and make them more appealing.
Today Rue de la République is thriving. It is home to boutiques cafés bars and restaurants. There is enough to satisfy locals and visitors alike all year round.
Marseille has always been a multicultural city. The poet Claude McKay felt at ease here. He wrote novels about Marseille’s vibrant port life.
McKay’s novels Banjo and Romance in Marseille describe the city’s characters. These included sailors dockers sex workers and café owners. In the early 20th century Marseille was a major entry point for clandestins. These were stowaway passengers without papers. They often faced arrest or deportation.
In Romance in Marseille McKay told the story of Lafala. Lafala was inspired by Nelson Simeon Dede. Dede was a Nigerian seaman who lost both legs. He sued the shipping company and won a settlement.
McKay portrayed a version of Black life far removed from the middle class. He wanted to show his characters yarn backbite and live like people the world over.
Even W.E.B. Du Bois found McKay’s work unsettling. McKay aimed to depict the raw realities of life in Marseille.
Marseille also had a strong communist tradition. It was a center for independence movements. The city has a history of labor strikes and movements. The political influence of the port has always been significant.
Marseille offers a scenic seaside road named after John F. Kennedy. The city is the birthplace of Pastis. It is also renowned as a soap capital. Calissons are a popular treat. Marseille has a thriving music scene.
So as you stroll along Rue Labry remember its connection to this larger history. Think of the grand boulevards. Consider the architectural diversity. Rue Labry is a reminder of Marseille’s rich past and vibrant present. It is a street with stories etched into its very stones. Take a moment to appreciate this street. It is a vital thread in the fabric of Marseille.