Saint-Julien district

Saint-Julien is a residential district of Marseille with narrow streets and lush greenery, centred around its church overlooking the city centre. It’s an area that’s particularly popular with the locals for its natural beauty, offering beautiful walks with lovely views.

A residential district in the 12th arrondissement

To the east of the city centre lies Saint-Julien, a district of Marseille’s 12th arrondissement perched at an altitude of 160 metres. Its neighbours are Caillols (to the south), Trois-Lucs (to the east), Montolivet (to the north-west) and Saint-Barnabé (to the west). The village core overlooking the Caillols depression has developed mainly around its church. The Canal de Marseille is a great place for nature walks, with interesting views over Marseille.

This residential area, with its few green spaces, is mainly made up of narrow, steep, pedestrianised streets. There are pavilions and small houses as well as large estates and bastides. Saint-Julien expanded to the north, around the Boulevard de la Comtesse and along the Saint-Barnabé/Allauch axis. The Beaumont district, to the west of the village, should be included in the official boundaries of Saint-Julien.

The history of the Saint-Julien district in Marseille

In Roman times, Julius Caesar is said to have set up an observation camp on the site of the village-parish of Sancti Juliani during the siege of Marseille in 49 BC. After this event, a village was built under the name of Julii Castrum. Researchers have repeatedly found ancient bricks and half-broken coffins. There is no doubt about the Roman history of Saint-Julien, but in the absence of dated evidence, it cannot be officially confirmed.

During the 12th century, a group of monks settled in the middle of vineyards belonging to the monastery. It is probably to them that we owe the name of the district, recorded in the registers of Saint-Victor as Sancti Juliani. In 1141, the Castrum Juliani, placed under the authority of the Bishop of Marseille by Pope Innocent II, was completed and given to the Church of Marseille. Today, a few rare vestiges of the fortified site are still visible, as evidenced by the towers and ramparts still in place. The medieval building was demolished to enlarge the Rue Pierre Béranger and clear the Place Eugène Bertrand, formerly known as the Place du Château.

For centuries, Saint-Julien was mainly a rural district with farm workers and craftsmen. In the 1970s, you could still see herds of cows. Saint-Julien developed into an urban district with the arrival of the Marseille tramway and the break-up of large estates in favour of new modern housing.

Sites of interest at Saint-Julien in Marseille

Saint-Julien church

Located on the rue de la Descente, the neo-Gothic façade of Saint-Julien church is at the centre of the old village centre. It is dedicated to Saint Julien de Brioude, companion of Saint Ferréol. It was first built at the end of the 13th century. At the top of the bell tower, you can admire a beautiful campanile, a tower housing bells to attract the faithful to come and pray on mass days. In front of the church, a Roman funerary stele serves as a pedestal for an iron cross.

The former Villa Mille Roses

In 1934, Fernandel, the French comedian, actor and singer, bought a 19th-century estate in Marseille’s 12th arrondissement, nicknamed Les Mille Roses (the thousand roses). Since 2012, no member of Fernandel’s family has lived there. Following the sale of the mansion, the land has been divided and a private crèche is due to be set up there. Today, only the Avenue Fernandel still bears the mark of this unforgettable artist.

The medieval Château Julien

Château Julien was originally called Castrum Julianiand came under the authority of the Bishop of Marseille. It changed its name when the village was fortified. Along with the Château de Saint-Marcel, it is the only example of medieval military architecture in the city of Marseille. By the 19th century, nothing remained of this medieval edifice, which was demolished to widen several of the village’s streets. Today, tourists can still see a ruined tower and a few sections of the ramparts that once encircled the village, the last vestiges of this once fortified site that dominated the Huveaune valley.

How to get to the Saint-Julien district?

To get to the Saint-Julien district of Marseille, you can take bus routes 6 (Foch 5 Avenues – Bois Lemaître), 7 (Foch 5 Avenues – Les 3 Lucs Enco de Botte), 7B (Foch 5 Avenues – Bois Lemaître), 7T (Foch 5 Avenues – Allauch Barbaraou), 9 (Les Caillols Centre Urbain – St Julien) and 39 (Métro Malpassé – Résidence Fondacle). In the evening, the 509 bus line linking Canebière Bourse to Les Caillols Centre Urbain passes through the Saint-Julien district.

Alternatively, you can take the M1 metro line to Fourragère, Saint-Barnabé or Frais Vallon stations and continue by bus, bike, foot or taxi to the Saint-Julien district.

By car, follow the A51 motorway towards Marseille, take exit 4 and leave the A507 motorway (L2 bypass). Continue along Avenue du 24 avril 1915 towards Boulevard des Fauvettes to reach your destination.

If you are coming from the A50 motorway, take the Rocade L2 junction and exit at junction 4, St Barnabé.

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