At Marseille Secret, we like to talk to you about unusual subjects! That’s why, after the smallest village in France, we decided to find out which is the narrowest street in the world, and as luck would have it, it’s just outside Marseille! So, do you think you can squeeze through the walls?
What’s this street?
The narrowest street in the world can be found… (drum roll)… in the magnificent medieval village of Gassin, in the Var region of France!
It’s called l’Androuno and measures just 29 cm wide! Which means it’s barely wide enough to squeeze through (after a good meal, that’s impossible). Although it’s so discreet that it’s easy to miss, this alleyway has become one of the main attractions of this picturesque village!
What’s this village?
If you don’t know the village of Gassin, with its 2,000 inhabitants, it’s one of the most beautiful villages in France! Perched at an altitude of 200 metres, its flower-filled streets and breathtaking views over the Gulf of Saint-Tropez are already attracting many tourists! And thanks to this unusual touch, it’s even more talked-about!
Why are we so interested?
In Provençal, “Androuno” means alley or cul-de-sac (aptly named). It’s been part of the scenery since the 13ᵉ century, but it’s only recently that people have started to take an interest in it (wouldn’t that be with the start of the internet, or even Instagram?). It’s quite amusing to see how some people find it difficult to cross this 20-meter-long alleyway, which forces us to pull in our stomachs. If you’d like to take some funny photos to post on social networks, head to Gassin!
Legend has it that this passageway was created to count sheep (which isn’t so bad after all). Reality, however, tells a different story: this narrow street was designed to prevent water run-off during the region’s frequent violent storms.