La Rouvière, one of the largest residences in France

Tall buildings climb the hills south of Marseille, their white silhouettes standing out against the blue sky. This monumental architectural ensemble, well known to the people of Marseilles, is a condominium: La Rouvière, one of the largest private residences, has been part of the Marseilles landscape since the 1960s.

La Rouvière: an ambitious property development in Marseille

In the 1960s, Marseille saw a sharp rise in its population as a result of the baby boom and the repatriation of French nationals from Algeria. At the time, the housing supply was insufficient to meet demand, and large housing estates were built. A large number of housing estates were built in the northern neighbourhoods, where vast tracts of land were available for these developments.

But it was in the south, in the La Panouse district at the gateway to what was to become the Calanques National Park, that Monegasque entrepreneurs Cravero Frères entrusted Les Grands Travaux de l’Est withone of the most ambitious projects of the decade: the construction of a huge condominium complex of several thousand flats on the site of the former Bastide de la Rouvière estate. French architect Raoul Guyot was commissioned to design the project.

The land was acquired in 1961 and buildings C, D, E, F and G were delivered in 1966. Tower A, one of the tallest buildings in Marseille, was completed in 1968. Construction of building B, known as Super Rouvière, began in 1968, with completion scheduled for 1975.

An architectural complex of extraordinary dimensions

The La Rouvière condominium complex comprises a total of 7 buildings covering some 30 hectares, 5 of which are high-rise buildings (IGH) over 50 metres high:

Tower A, the 4th tallest building in Marseille, with 30 storeys and a height of 95 metres;
Building B (Super Rouvière): 4 car park storeys and 20 storeys;
Building C: 18 storeys;
Building D: 21 storeys;
Building E: 20 storeys;
Building F: 11 storeys;
Building G: 7 to 10 storeys depending on the section.

These ” skyscrapers in the hills ” house almost 2,200 homes for a population of around 8,000. The Résidence de la Rouvière is visible and easily recognisable from the sea, the Frioul islands and many of Marseille’s highest points, including Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde hill.

La Rouvière, a real “city within a city

The La Rouvière condominium complex offers a wide range of on-site services.

A shopping centre occupies the first floors of Tower A, with a supermarket, bank branches, restaurants and convenience stores.
There isa municipal school group within the residence, with a nursery school and a primary school. Nursery assistants and a crèche also offer childcare solutions for parents.
La Rouvière is also home toa number of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses and a physiotherapist.
The condominium also houses 5 tennis courts run by the Tennis Club Rouvière.

This large, gated residence is away from the main roads and offers residents a pleasant living environment. Many flats offer uninterrupted views of the sea and harbour, and a caretaker service guarantees residents a certain amount of peace and quiet.

La Rouvière and Super Rouvière have a village feel, with many cultural and sporting organisations organising events and activities for residents. Some families have lived in the residence for several generations, and many residents know each other and contribute to the friendly atmosphere.

Access and practical information

The main entrance to La Rouvière is at 83 boulevard du Redon, in Marseille’s 9th arrondissement. You can get there by bus routes 24, 46S, 48 and 48T (Rouvière stop).

La Rouvière is privately owned and does not offer any specific tourist activities. You can easily find short-term rental flats on specialised platforms, so you can stay at the heart of this unusual residence.

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