« L’The location chosen for the construction of the Tourist Office is privileged. We will have a considerable advantage : the Val’Tram stop right next to us, and a public garden. The building will be 150 meters from the station », appreciated, Tuesday, Pascal Coudurier, director of the OTI.
While, until today, « the Aubagne tourist office was invisible », notes Christian Ollivier, deputy mayor of Roquevaire, delegate for natural, cultural heritage and tourism, “ the future building, thanks to its proximity to the Cours Voltaire tram stop, will be a central place for intercommunal discovery*. It will open up across the entire territory, which is what we were missing ». For around seventeen years, the tourist office has been established at 8, cours Barthélémy. In the immediate vicinity of Marcel Pagnol’s birthplace, of course, but in a place that lacks visibility.
Shop and showroom
Designed in a square shape of 20 meters on each side, describes the young Aubagnais architect Clément Gentiletti, the future building will occupy 458 square meters, including 320 m2 of useful surface area. It is said to be of High Environmental Quality (HQE). “ The materials are biosourced, explains the architect. The building will be heated and cooled electrically with energy provided by solar panels. The glass surfaces can be frightening and raise fears of excessive sunlight, but a large hood is provided overhanging to the south, and suitable sun masks on the sides. We will use as little energy as possible. » Mayor (LR) Gérard Gazay points out that « the tourist office will be surrounded by ceramics, to highlight the identity of our territory ». He adds: “ It is difficult in the Pays d’Aubagne et de l’Étoile to compete with Marseille, Aix-en-Provence or Cassis, but we also have some gems. » Aubagne is the birthplace of Marcel Pagnol, the city of clay work and its hills around Garlaban are popular for outdoor activities.
Clearly visible, the future building will have on the ground floor “ a spacious reception hall » and, to attract visitors, “ from a shop of 48 square meters dedicated to the sale of local products », supports Pascal Coudurier. A temporary exhibition space will be used to promote local history, traditions and know-how. Upstairs (G+1) the modular offices for the teams will be distributed. After the building permit is submitted next February, work should start in October 2025, and the tourist office will be delivered on 2e half-year 2026, for a cost of 1.840 million euros. « If we hadn’t had the land for 1 symbolic euro, we could not have done this project, underlines Gérard Canavese. We borrow on twenty-five years, and our repayments exceed by only 10% the amounts we pay today for rent and energy. »
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