Formerly the Place du Cimetière Vieux, this was abolished in 1780.
The Estérel grey granite column enthroned in the middle of the square is one of the two columns that were once twinned and donated by the city of Marseille in 230 in honour of the god Mars Vintium. Once housed in the cathedral, the columns were removed in 1767. The second is now in the Place du Grand Jardin.
From the Place Godeau, there is an excellent view of the Romanesque chevet and the bell tower adorned with battlements (13th century).
To the north of the square is a house with an authentic 13th-century geminated window. Admire the overall view of the Cathedral, its chevet and the crenellated bell tower dating from the 12th century and rebuilt after the earthquake in 1887.
RUE DES PORTIQUES
This street is a vestige of the ancient Roman road that ran from Cimiez to Castellane. At the time, it represented the ‘decumanus’ of the Cité (i.e. the east-west route).
Rue des Portiques takes its name from the arcades built in the Middle Ages by the inhabitants to save space for their homes. A Renaissance gateway (1575) still stands at the entrance to the street on the left-hand side.