A very beautiful story that of Marseillois …

Indeed, our old restoring boat knew not less than two lives, its creation in the 20s about its rescue in 1976.

Conceived in Valencia, in Spain, on the majorquin model of the end of the XIXth century, Cala Virgili transported of the bulk goods. During 30 years, both masts has caboté from Barcelona to Marseille by way of the Balearic Islands and the Valencia. Become obsolete in the middle of the XXth century, the boat fails on a beach of Majorca, and is fast transformed into wreck …

… It is on this beach of Majorca where people from Marseille fascinated by naval architecture discover the old sailing ship in 1970 years around. Grouped together in association (ASCANFE: Association for the Protection and the Preservation of the Former French and foreign Ships, at present chaired by Henry Roux Alezais), our Inhabitants of Marseille fall under the spell of Cala Virgili.

After long works of restoration, the old sailing ship joins finally its new port of tie, Marseille. To finance the renovation of the boat, a subscription is thrown beside people of Marseille : 212 companies and private individuals answer the call. Their name, burnt on brass patches, always decorate the stomach of the boat. Cala Virgili becomes then Le Marseillois, in memory of a military ship from Marseille offered to the royal navy under the reign of Louis XVI.

During twenty years, Marseillois will welcome the siege of the ASCANFE. But for lack of sufficient subsidy to maintain the boat, the management of Le Marseillois is then entrusted to a professional of the catering. After several changes of hands, the restoring boat is managed since 1999 by Gérard Boccamaiello, for it BG Restoration company.

Since its processing by restoring and privative space, Marseillois accumulates the guests of mark and the prestigious receptions: Tom Cruise, then Georges Clooney, of passage in Marseille for previews, made stopover aboard Marseillois; staff and players of the OM organize numerous official meals, anniversaries and private rave-up there; banking institutions, insurances, universities and the other prestigious companies choose Le Marseillois for their receptions, seminaries or meal of group.