Olives in Marseille

In Marseille’s 13th arrondissement, the Olives neighbourhood takes its name from the Olive family, who settled there during the 15th century. Come and discover the history of this neighbourhood and its places of interest.

A neighbourhood in the 13th arrondissement

Located in Marseille’s 13th arrondissement, Les Olives is bordered by the neighbourhoods of La Croix-Rouge, Montolivet, La Rose, Saint-Julien and Les Trois-Lucs.

Contrary to appearances, this neighbourhood, which borders the commune of Allauch, does not owe its name to olive cultivation, but to the Olive family, according to the parish ledger. Indeed, Simon Olive and Jeanne Davin, a couple of ‘nourriguiers’ (the Provençal equivalent of a shepherd),purchased a plot of land on 10 February 1466 from Paul Marsan. They quite naturally named the place Les Olives. After their deaths, their children established the Domaine des Olives, and their descendants went on to form the hamlet of Les Olives.

In 1660,the church of Les Olives was built within the neighbourhood. An extension was added in 1759 at the residents’ expense. In the early 19th century, the church was canonically established as a branch parish of Allauch. The original village now sits on a small rocky hill. The neighbourhood is crossed by the Jarret, a 21-kilometre-long tributary of the Huveaune.

Places and monuments in the Olives district of Marseille

The Church of Notre-Dame-des-Grâces and Saint-Paul

In the heart of the old village, the Church of Les Olives – officially known as the Church of Notre-Dame-des-Grâces and Saint-Paul – served as a private chapel before being built in 1660 by the village’s inhabitants and extended in 1759. Its bell tower, added in 1817, is built of cut stone. Visible from Place Granet in the Olives district of Marseille, this religious monument houses one of the four copies on linen canvas of the Shroud of Turin, produced by NASA and brought back by Father Pestre in 1982.

The Olives Velodrome

Built in 1975 and refurbished in 2008, the Les Olives municipal velodrome – situated at 375 Avenue des Poilus – is home to local cycling clubs. Its refurbishment has made it possible to provide facilities tailored to cyclists and meeting user safety standards. In total, the local council fully funded the works at a total cost of 300,000 euros. As well as being widened, the track has been resurfaced with a resin-based surface. The installation of an access point and a parking area is also part of the changes made to the velodrome.

How do I get to the Olives neighbourhood?

If you’d like to visit Les Olives in Marseille, you can get there by taking bus routes 2 ( La Rose Metro Station – Cité La Marie Haute), 4 (La Rose Metro Station – La Valentine Shopping Centre), 4B (La Rose Metro Station – Les 3 Lucs), 6 (Foch 5 Avenues – Bois Lemaître) and 39 (Malpassé Metro Station – Résidence Fondacle).

By car from the north, continue onthe A51 motorway towards Marseille, take the exit for Cinq-Avenues and leave the A507 motorway. Continue along Avenue Jean-Paul Sartre/D4C and Avenue des Olives to reach the Olives district.

From Nice, takethe A8 motorway towards Marseille, take exit 5 and leave the A50 motorway. Follow Avenue de Saint Menet/D2 and Avenue des Poilus to reach your destination.

Places to discover