Imagine, if you will, Marseille in 1864. The city is buzzing with activity. Today, we explore Rue Nationale. This immense thoroughfare wasn’t always here. The city decided to create this street stretching over 1.5 km.
Now known as Rue Nationale, this street was once called rue Impériale. This transformation took a titanic effort. It involved demolishing 935 houses. Almost 61 Marseilles streets disappeared. The entire project took four years from 1860 to 1864. On October 16, 1870, it officially became Rue de la République.
The buildings lining Rue Nationale reflect a Haussmann style. This style was popular with the bourgeoisie. However, most preferred downtown districts. They chose quartier Vauban or quartier des Antiquaires. The proximity to the Vieux-Port wasn’t for everyone then. Today, it is a different story.
Since the 2000s, Rue Nationale has been part of the Euro-Mediterranean perimeter. About 4,000 rental homes are to be rehabilitated here. In 2005, multiple groups and franchises purchased adjoining units. Their goal was to renovate them. They wanted to make them more attractive.
Today, Rue Nationale has developed considerably. It is home to boutiques. Cafés, bars and restaurants thrive here. They satisfy locals and visitors.
Before its grand transformation, Rue Nationale had other names. It was once called rue Dauphine. Other names include rue de Thionvillois. It was also known as rue Fontaine des cavaliers.
At number 1, you would have found the old Hotel Pesciolini built in 1673. It features the oldest cariatides in Marseille. At number 11, legend says a popular fortune teller lived during the Middle Ages. People considered her a witch. She was burned in public. It is said her spirit haunts the cellar still.
Rue Nationale is a place of stories. Dominique Sarmet, a mayor of Marseille during the French Revolution, once lived here. At number 51 once stood the Hotel Saint-Jacques de Sylvabelle. Guillaume de Saint-Jacques de Silvabelle, director of the Marseille observatory, died here. This building was destroyed during a bombardment.
Rue Nationale goes from Place des Capucines to Cours Belsunce. It stretches about 330 meters. It is eight meters wide. It is a vital artery connecting different parts of the city. Rue Nationale stands as a testament to Marseille’s ever-evolving identity.