How about diving into the story of Simiane-Collongue a village cradled between Marseille and Aix-en-Provence? This location gives access to Provence’s tourist treasures. Beaches museums and mountains are within easy reach.
Simiane-Collongue is one of the oldest towns in Bouches-du-Rhône. Its history began around 5000 BC. This is evidenced by pottery found near the Col Saint Anne. The Romans drained marshes enabling villages to flourish. Traces of their settlements remain.
Around the year 1000 Venel and Roques united. They formed a shared parish around the Church Saint Marie. It later became Saint-Marie-Madeleine. An official record from March 20 973 mentions the churches of Venel and Collongue. They were ceded to Montmajour Abbey. Saint Germain near the Church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine was a Benedictine priory. It thrived in 1056. A scenic route from Marseille led to it.
The first Church of Saint Pierre de Collongue stood by a citadel. It was built on a rock in the 12th century. The old keep called “Tour de l’Horloge” served as a watchtower.
In 1384 Pierre de Gaufridy sided with Charles De Duras. Marseilles partisans besieged the citadel. Collongue was confiscated and given to Bertrand d’Agoult. Queen Marie bought it back on July 20 1385.
In 1500 the Château de Collongue was built. Henri II added two towers in 1547. They still exist today. In 1684 Jean de Simiane received the title Marquis. His lands became the Marquisate of “Simiane-les-Aix and Marseille”.
In 1774 the family built a new château. After the Revolution the village joined the Gardanne canton. In 1791 the town was called Collongue. It changed to Simiane in 1814. The final name Simiane-Collongue arrived in 1919.
In the 19th century Simiane remained a small farming village. Farmers grew garlic wheat and grapes. The arrival of a municipal council from 1876 was important. The train line from Aix-Marseille came in 1877. Most residents farmed. They raised sheep and pigs. They also cultivated garlic olives and vines. In the 1930s the wine of Simiane gained recognition.
The hills supported gypsum and sand mining. Better paying jobs in Gardanne drew people away. This turned the farming village into a suburb. It was near Marseille and Aix-en-Provence.
Since 1684 Simiane-Collongue’s coat of arms reflects the Simiane family. The Simiane family’s coat of arms features gold with towers and fleurs-de-lis. The village motto was “Sustendant lilia turres”. Its cry was “Au plus dru”. Its saying was “Sagesse de Simiane” meaning Wisdom of Simiane.
Simiane-Collongue was born in 973. It lies on the northern slope of the Chaîne de l’Etoile. The North Star appears above its peaks. When kings arrived in Marseille they navigated by the North Star. They also used a rocky peak called “le Pilon du Roi”. Entering Simiane you can see the Sarrazine Tower. It was built in the 14th century. It is pentagonal outside and square inside.
There were seven priories in Simiane. The Chapelle de Saint Germain is the oldest structure dating back to 1056. Venel meant hunting land. Collongue meant gentle slope. In 1684 Jean de Simiane bought the lands of Venel and Collongue. He married Pauline de Simiane. She was Madame de Sévigné’s granddaughter. They lived in the château. Léon Masson a Simiane sculptor immortalized Pauline de Simiane.
In 1918 the council added Collongue to Simiane. This distinguished it from Simiane in the Alps. This is why our village is named Simiane-Collongue.
The Tour de l’Horloge offers a beautiful view. One can admire the village the valley and the Saint Victoire. The tower likely served as a watch post. It has a unique pentagonal shape.
The Château de Simiane was built in the late 18th century. It replaced the old Château de Collongue. The château retains its 18th-century décor.
Chapelle Saint Germain is dedicated to Saint Germain. He was known for evangelizing in Britain. The altar includes a Roman cippe and a table decorated with bas-reliefs. The chapelle was restored in 1966.
Église Saint Pierre was built between 1786 and 1790. It stands on the site of an old church. The facade was completed in the 19th century.
The Fontaine du Cours was built in 1873. It adorned the new promenade. The lions were added later in 1975. Fontaine aux vaches served as a water source.
The Monastère Sainte Lioba offers silence prayer and retreats. The Benedictine community displays their art. The Chateau de Collongue was built around 1500.