Starting from Marcel Pagnol’s birthplace, markers will walk you through the streets of Aubagne‘s historical centre, where you will discover the heritage and history of this thousand-year-old town.
Clou de jalonnement parcours touristique Aubagne
Panorama Ville Eglise Tour De L'horloge Aubagne Oti AubagneMarcel Pagnol’s birthplace
Aubagne's historical centre tourClou de jalonnement parcours touristique AubagneMarcel Pagnol’s birthplace
At 16 cours Barthélemy, on 28th of February 1895 in the evening, Augustine Pagnol gave birth to the little Marcel. The family had recently moved in this apartment, located on the 3rd floor. The father, Joseph Pagnol had been appointed as a teacher at the boy’s school in boulevard Lakanal 6 years ago. Playwright, film director, great inventor who was interested in everything, member of the French Academy and writer, Marcel Pagnol (1895-1974) has made Aubagne, Garlaban hills and Provence famous around the world thanks to his autobiographies Souvenirs d’enfance (Childhood memories).
Marcel Pagnol first remembers a “very high fountain, under the plane trees of the cours”… This monument, dedicated to the abbot Jean-Jacques Barthélemy (1716-1795), paid tribute to the great scholar, numismatist, writer and archaeologist, who was the first Aubagne resident to be nominated as a member of the French Academy. The fountain was moved to the town’s cemetery in 1969.
In the very same house lived Louis Sicard (1871-1946), a talented ceramist and modeller who created in 1895 (the same year Pagnol was born) the famous cicada, symbol of the glorious past of Aubagne’s clay industry. The early 20th century facades are still an expression of this past. Behind you, at 13 avenue Loulou Delfieu, you can see Art Nouveau murals made of ceramic tiles, created by the Bocca brothers, who were Italian immigrants.
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Discover other remarkable places of Aubagne‘s historical centre:
In order to help you through the tour, you can read our guidebook where you will find a map:
