Right in front of you, Place des Moulins is a broad, peaceful square dotted with chunky stone planters filled with lush, spiky greenery and shaded by rows of tall, leafy trees-just look for the open space lined with potted plants and old stone structures as you stroll ahead.
Now, let’s spin back a few centuries-Place des Moulins gets its name from the windmills that once perched atop this very hill. Imagine the distant sound of wooden blades turning in the breeze. In the 18th century, this spot was the windy kingdom of millers; if you were here back then, you’d have counted up to fifteen windmills, their sails catching the salty Marseille air. Nowadays, only three survive, tucked away inside houses nearby-who knew some lucky folks get to live in a real windmill? If you peek around, you’ll find two to the south dressed up as homes, and a third at number 28, looking cozy as ever. For over 15 years, a passionate Marseillais writer made his home right next to this square, perhaps inspired by the ghostly whoosh of vanished sails and the grind of old stones. So take a breath, imagine those mighty mills hard at work, and feel the secrets of Marseille’s bakers, wind, and wheat swirling around you. But don’t worry-no flour in the air today, just a breeze and maybe a stray leaf or two!
