Le Panier, a stroll through the old Marseille Par Georges RouzeauHistory of a district The Panier became a working-class district when the Marseille middle-class decided to move out in the 17th century to relocate in the new districts designed by Colbert to the east. In the 19th century, as the commercial and industrial revolution got under way, it progressively acquired its bad reputation.
Seen as an 'overpopulated hill with ill-repaired houses' by the town councillors, the Panier was considered an obstacle to the development and modernisation of the city. This excessively shady reputation did not prevent the village from developing its own way of life with a population living largely from the sea – fishermen, seafarers, amateur sailors. Set on high ground (you 'go up to the Panier'), it attracted Neapolitans at the end of the 19th century, then Corsicans after the First World War. Part of the district was dynamited by the Germans in February 1943, except for the prestigious buildings. But the locals showed their mettle: even the smallest of plots sufficed to rebuild their high houses.
Today, umpteen countries – from the Maghreb to the Comoro Islands without forgetting Vietnam – add their touch of colour to the Panier's cultural mosaic. Sitting on chairs, elders continue to chat in the sun while unruly kids call one another avé the accent so typical of Marseille...
 © G. Rouzeau/ViaMichelinStroll through the PanierCompact, the Panier can be crossed on foot, haphazardly, in search of fragrances and sensations, without fear of going astray. It is no longer the dangerous back alley where the otherwise courageous Marseillais dared not venture! The ancient Massalia has indeed been under constant rehabilitation for the past twenty years. Now ochre roughcast facades are brightening the area up and craftsmen, potters and santon makers are setting up here again. Writers of Marseille detective stories - Del Pappas et Carrese, inter alia – make it the setting of their adventures...
To reach the hill, do as the Greeks from Phocea did who arrived here 2600 years ago: start from the quayside in front of the city hall. Of Baroque inspiration, this small building recalls certain palaces on the Italian coast, like in Genoa. This work by Gaspard Puget and Mathieu Portal is built in a fine pink glowing stone from the quarry at La Couronne near Martigues (calcareous molasse already exploited by the Greeks).
To the left of the city hall, you'll see one of the finest examples of reconstruction in Marseille: the blocks of flats by architect Pouillon, entirely clad with fine yellow stone from Vers-Pont-du-Gard. The architect, aware that the site had a several thousand years history, increased the number of classical elements: an attic storey covered with tiles, loggias and, at street level, arcades with a coffered ceiling.
 The Maison Diamantée © G. Rouzeau/ViaMichelinThen take Rue de la Prison by the side of the city hall. You'll pass in front of a beautiful 16th century civilian palace, the Maison Diamantée with a facade featuring diamond facets. Rue de la Prison leads to Rue Caisserie, the Panier's oldest. Don't miss the wrought iron balcony of Hôtel Daviel, the former court of justice (1743), decorated with so-called marguerite panels, marguerites being the favourite motif of the local craftsmen in the 18th century. You can aslo admire the Hôtel-Dieu, a magnificent 18th century edifice renowned for its three floors of circular arcaded galleries. Close by, the Clocher des Accoules (steeple) is all that remains of one of Marseille's oldest churches.  La montée des Accoules © G. Rouzeau/ViaMichelinRetrace your steps and start the 'ascension' of the Panier by the legendary Montée des Accoules which has earned the district its reputation as 'the village for goats' because it's so steep. The change in atmosphere is radical when you enter this steep Medieval alley with a guardrail down the centre. On the left, at number 5, stands the Panier's oldest building (17th century) with a rather dilapidated facade awaiting restoration. On your right, Rue Poirier winds under the washing lines, like in Naples. Continue climbing and, at number 24, stop in front of André Robbe's Cabanon des Accoules. This maker of santons (of which the tradition arose in Marseille and not in Aubagne), campaigns for the development and safeguard of this district he knows inside out. Slightly further on, the Préau des Accoules is a former 18th century Jesuit college converted into an art centre for children. Continue towards Place de Lenche, a pretty sunny little square with a beautiful view over the glistening water of the Vieux-Port. It is located on the former Greek agora. In the minds of locals it also conjures up images of gangster shootouts. Then follow Rue de l'Évêché to Place des Treize Cantons from where you can see the enormous Neo-Byzantine dome of the Nouvelle Major Cathedral. This square is the setting of legendary venues of local life, such as the famous Bar des Treize Coins, and the non-less famous Chocolatière du Panier, a minute black shop to which Casanova paid a visit. From here, walk up Rue du Panier for 100 metres.  La Vieille Charité © G. Rouzeau/ViaMichelinBetween Rues Rodillat and Pistoles you'll see the Vieille Charité, Marseille's architectural gem. Built between 1671 and 1749 to care for the city's down-and-outs, this former hospice is the work of the Puget brothers. Admire the chapel and its ovoid dome, a masterpiece of Italian Baroque. The place, a haven of peace and silence, groups many museums (Mediterranean archeology museum; African, Oceaninan, and Amerindian arts museum (MAAOA); François-Reichenbach collection).
On your left, take Rue du Petit Puits and pause at Artera's, where young artists paint santons in the contemporary style. Also don't miss the Sardine d'argile, a potter whose reputation is far greater than that of the Panier. At the end of the street, you reach Place de Lorette. Then take Rue des Mauvestis followed by Rue du Panier which will lead you to the delightful Place des Moulins where, it is said, up to thirteen windmills turned their blades. City water tanks are located beneath. Return to Place de Lorette, go down Rue de Lorette in the middle of which you'll cross the steep passageway bearing the same name. The contrast is brutal. Exit the Mediterranean village with narrow streets in mid-air; enter the Hausmannian city with the large and noisy artery, Rue de la République, leading to the Vieux-Port.
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