Traverse du Moulin à Vent

“A windmill in Marseille?” you might ask. Yes, right here at Traverse du Moulin à Vent, the name itself whispers tales of a breezy past. Traverse du Moulin à Vent translates to “Crossing of the Windmill”. This seemingly ordinary street holds a secret, etched in its very name. It speaks of a time when windmills dotted the Marseille landscape, harnessing the power of the Mistral. Place des Moulins, located in the 2nd arrondissement of Marseille, offers a glimpse into this forgotten era. Old engravings from the 18th century depict a skyline punctuated by these majestic structures, as many as fifteen gracing this high point. Imagine them standing tall against the azure sky, their sails catching the wind that whips across the Mediterranean. While most have vanished with time, three resilient windmills remain. Two stand to the south, absorbed into the fabric of the houses around them. A third, to the northeast, has been transformed into a dwelling, a unique home at number 28. These structures are not just remnants of the past; they are living testaments to Marseille’s ingenuity and its relationship with the wind. They remind us that even in a bustling metropolis like Marseille, traces of a simpler, more elemental time can still be found, woven into the very streets we walk. So, as you stand on Traverse du Moulin à Vent, let the name transport you back to a time when the wind powered the city, and windmills stood as proud sentinels against the sky.