Did you know that Rue Paradis is one of Marseille’s most famous streets? This shoppers paradise has a rich history. Let me tell you more about the story of Rue Paradis.
Rue Paradis stretches through the 1st 6th and 8th arrondissements of Marseille. It runs from Place du Général de Gaulle to Avenue du Prado. Rue Paradis is the third longest street in Marseille. It measures 2870 meters. Only Rue Saint-Pierre and Chemin du Littoral are longer.
The name Rue Paradis means Paradise Street. It comes from the old priory of Saint-Pierre de Paradis. This priory was near the highest point of the street.
As early as 1044 a district of Marseille was called Paradis. This was because of the Saint-Pierre de Paradis priory and its cemetery. Hugues Fer founded a church dedicated to Sainte-Marie du Paradis.
In 1524 the church and priory were destroyed. This made way for city defenses against the army of the Constable de Bourbon. For the rest of the 15th century the street was called Rue Saint-Catherine. Later it took the name Rue de Paradis.
The urbanization of Rue Paradis happened in two phases. The first section from La Canebière to Place du Général-de-Gaulle was developed from 1666. This happened when the city walls were expanded under Louis XIV. This section ended at Porte Paradis where Place Estrangin-Pastré is today.
The second section extended to Avenue du Prado in several stages. It reached Rue Falque in 1803. Then it extended to Place Ernest-Delibes in 1848. Finally it reached Avenue du Prado in 1880.
Many notable buildings and places of memory line Rue Paradis. Hélène Cogoluègnes and her husband lived at an unknown address on the street.
At numbers 31 and 33 was the Maison Castelmuro. This confectioner chocolatier and caterer was a true Marseille institution. Founded in 1802 the establishment closed in 1999. From 1807 to 1999 it remained in the same family.
At number 38 were the offices of the Charles Meunier grocery store. Stendhal joined as a clerk in 1805. The offices later moved to Rue Venture.
The Capitale & Victor Orly gallery is also located at number 38 on Rue Paradis. Louis-Philippe Lagarde mayor of Marseille lived at number 54. Adrien Artaud deputy of Bouches-du-Rhône lived at number 56.
A beautiful Louis XV style building stands at number 58. Alexandre Louit built it from 1728 to 1737. Later it belonged to banker Pascal hence the name Hôtel Pascal.
The historic headquarters of the Société Marseillaise de Crédit is at number 75. The headquarters of the Société Les Maisons Vertes Provençales is at number 96.
Église Saint Joseph is located at number 124. Architect Pascal Coste built it in 1837. The building of the former École Supérieure de Commerce de Marseille is at number 148. Created in 1872 it moved in 1891 due to lack of space.
At number 150 were the Noilly Prat establishments. They produced a famous aperitif. An apartment building replaced them in the late 20th century.
The private mansion of the Noilly-Prat family is at number 167. Today it is divided into apartments. The Notre-Dame de Sion private Catholic high school is at number 231.
Mythological masks adorn the buildings at numbers 253-255. Sculptor François Roume created these. Lycée Périer which houses nearly 1200 students is at number 270.
The twin private mansions of the Gasquy family are at numbers 292 and 294. Today they are divided into apartments. Alain Storione lived in the apartment at number 343. He founded the Banette commercial brand.
A plaque at number 425 marks the former location of the Gestapo headquarters. Hundreds of resistance fighters and Jewish families were interrogated and tortured there.
The street is also home to several consulates. These include the consulates of Syria the Netherlands Algeria and Finland.
So as you stroll down Rue Paradis remember its long and fascinating history. From its origins as a priory to its modern status as a shopping destination Rue Paradis has played a vital role in the life of Marseille.