aixcentric

The tourists sitting in the sun outside cafés in the Place aux Huiles and the Cours Estienne d’Orves probably don’t realise that they are perched above an ancient system of canals that dates back at least to Roman times.

I am indebted to the website ‘Made in Marseille’ for the super photos from the Marseille archives which show the area when it was a working harbour.  It had been the site of the 17th century arsenal, turning out war-galleys and then used commercially for mooring boats at warehouses.

C: Archives de Marseille

The development of the docks at La Joliette diverted much trade and the old canals became neglected and full of stagnant water.  They were filled in, finally, in 1927.

But the story doesn’t end there.  During the 60s, the traffic in Marseille began to grow and mayor Gaston Deferre decided that this was just the place for an above-ground 375-place car park.  Take a look.

C: Archives de Marseille

Everyone thought it a good idea at the time, but it wasn’t long before sense prevailed and the diggers came out to make the underground car-park that we see today.  And turn the cours back to this….

You can read the whole story with maps and many other photos at Made  in Marseille (http://madeinmarseille.net/23753-canal-douane-vieux-port/) which is an excellent source of information on Marseille, authored by Agathe.

Thanks to Jo for recommending it!