PARC BORÉLY (AN)

Where are we? Avenue du Parc Borély, 13008 

Historical and chronological situation:  Industrial revolution, colonization in Asia and Africa 

Introduction: We are located in one of the most famous parks in the city of Marseille, an area that offers sports activities, games, picnics, walks, etc... Its large size shelters large areas of green spaces, canals and lakes where young and old alike can enjoy a moment of encounter with nature. 

History: Louis Borély was a powerful man from Marseille in the 17th century who insisted on owning land in the Bonneveine district. He wanted to set up his house there, as well as several plots of land full of vines, gardens and trees that would show his wealth. It was only in 1767, when Borély arrived from one of his trips to Egypt, that this businessman began his project with the architect Esprit Brun. Later, his son Louis Joseph Denis de Borély inherited the estate and transformed the land into a large garden of classical character. 

The city of Marseille became the owner of this space in the 19th century and commissioned the famous landscape architect Alphand to create the public park we enjoy today. He divided it into three parts: the first part of the park in French style, the second in English style, and the third converted it into a hippodrome. These works took place between 1860 and 1880, and later, in 2004, a traditional Chinese garden was built next to the Carthusian Botanical Garden, which had been moved to this park in previous years.  

Nowadays, this park is open every day and there are even stands for renting scooters and bicycles to go for a ride around the park. 

Official website: https://www.parcsetjardins.fr/jardins/487-parc-borely