Gare Saint-Charles
HISTORIC SITE AND MONUMENT
See photos (5)
A stroll through the Saint-Charles district
Sport, Pedestrian sports, Hiking itinerary
in Marseille 1er
1.7
km
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Follow this short stroll to discover the Saint Charles neighbourhood.
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When one mentions the name Saint-Charles, the SNCF station (1) is the first thing that comes to mind. Indeed, it stands out for several reasons. But it is also a neighborhood that has been transforming for several years and is becoming an university hub that we will introduce to you.
We suggest arriving at Saint-Charles by metro and crossing the hall to reach Narvik Square (where the current drop-off point for motorists is located). On your left, first notice a stele (2). If you look...When one mentions the name Saint-Charles, the SNCF station (1) is the first thing that comes to mind. Indeed, it stands out for several reasons. But it is also a neighborhood that has been transforming for several years and is becoming an university hub that we will introduce to you.
We suggest arriving at Saint-Charles by metro and crossing the hall to reach Narvik Square (where the current drop-off point for motorists is located). On your left, first notice a stele (2). If you look further to the left, there is a large 15-story building in yellow/beige. In front of it stands the Golden Virgin (3).
Cross the square to access the station's "masterpiece": its staircase and panoramic view of part of the city (4). Admire the sweeping view of Boulevard d'Athènes, the street art mural (5), and Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica.
Walk along the other side of the station to reach stairs that lead to Boulevard Maurice Bourdet. Cross and descend Boulevard Charles Nédélec. At the third intersection, turn right onto Rue Joseph Biaggi where you'll find the Bourse de Travail (6).
Continue straight and skirt around the EMD Management School. Go up Rue Frédéric Ozanam until you reach Avenue du Général Leclerc, which you descend on the left.
On the other side of the boulevard, you'll see the Saint-Charles campus, the original university site. Notably, there is a large rectangular peristyle building (7).
Then you pass by a stele dedicated to General Leclerc (8).
A flight of stairs takes you to the foot of the Toyoko Inn hotel (9). Enter on the left into Porte d'Aix Park (10). Follow the central path to reach the forecourt of the Arc de Triomphe (11).
As you can see, this area designed by Euroméditerranée has undergone a major transformation over the past decade. Until recently, the A7 motorway divided the neighborhood in two, as it ended at the triumphal arch. The area is transforming with the construction of new student residences, numerous schools, the consolidation of three universities (specifically, the faculties of architecture, landscape, and urban planning), the creation of an inter-university library, and most importantly, the addition of a major asset: the inauguration of a brand new park in the heart of the city.
The Saint-Charles district now positions itself as an urban campus. For more information: www.euromediterranee.fr
In line with the Arc de Triomphe, cross Boulevard Charles Nédelec. In front of you, Rue d'Aix descends, which changes names several times over more than 6 kilometers, to reach the Mazargues district. It is one of the main north-south axes of the city. Sharpen your gaze, you should at least see the column of the fountain in Place Castellane, located 2 kilometers away.
Finish your visit at the forecourt of the Regional Hotel, Place Gilberto Bosques. The Regional Council consists of two buildings that were built between 1984 and 1991 in the Butte des Carmes district. The forecourt of the Regional Hotel houses 3 remarkable elements (12).
- Departure
- Marseille 1er
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Difference in height
- 55 m
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Plain text period
- All year round.
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Environment
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Spoken languages
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Documentation
- GPX / KML files allow you to export the trail of your hike to your GPS (or other navigation tool)
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- See all reviews
- Points of interest
1
Railway station Saint-Charles
2
Stele
3
Golden Virgin
4
Staircase of the railway station
5
Mural with birds
This project quickly spread around the world, with similar events emerging in various countries.
In France, the association COAL is at the forefront of this movement, known as "Les murs d'Audubon." This cultural and artistic organization mobilizes artists to paint representations of threatened birds on the walls of French cities. To date, three murals have been completed: in Anglet (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), featuring 11 migratory birds, in Boulogne-sur-Mer (Pas-de-Calais) with a Kestrel, and the most recent one in Marseille.
This latest mural, designed by the Greek artist FIKOS, features Mediterranean migratory birds such as the Black-eared Wheatear and the Eurasian Hoopoe, as well as American species such as the Mountain Mockingbird and the American Nutcracker. Inspired by the works of John James Audubon, Fikos chose to pay tribute to Marseille by representing the Greek explorer Pytheas, an iconic figure of the city, in one of the artworks.
This mural was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Art Climate Transition (ACT) network, whose objective is to raise public awareness of contemporary climate issues. Its inauguration coincides with the opening of the World Conservation Congress in Marseille.
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Labor exchange building
7
Fernand Pouillon library
The library building rests on a one-storey base marked by vertical openings housing administrative offices. Set back from this base is a rectangular peristyle, where the expansive glass surfaces of the reading room are visible. A large lantern, protruding from the roof, illuminates the heart of this quite massive building. The entrance is located on the side, accessible by a wide staircase leading to a platform where the entrance hall is situated.
The architect opted for the use of stone, as well as ceramic caissons for the undersides of the peristyle floors. The roofs of the reading room and the book storage at the back are made of copper. This follows the architectural style of his various creations located around the Old Port of Marseille.
8
Stele dedicated to General Leclerc
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Toyoko Inn hotel
10
Porte d'Aix park
11
Triumph Arc
12
Regional government building
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Remnants of the Huveaune Aqueduct
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The Khatchkar of Etchmiadzin
This object serves as a reminder that the ties between Marseille and Armenia have always been strong, with the city being home to a significant Armenian community. In the early 20th century, many Armenians fled the persecutions and massacres perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire to seek refuge, notably in Marseille and other regions of France. This migration created lasting cultural, commercial, and social ties. Marseille, as a major Mediterranean port, has always been a hub for trade and culture, fostering exchanges with Armenia and other regions of the world.
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The Tribute to the Comorians
- 55 meters of difference in height
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- Maximum altitude : 69 m
- Minimum altitude : 21 m
- Total positive elevation : 55 m
- Total negative elevation : -65 m
- Max positive elevation : 33 m
- Min positive elevation : -40 m
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