
We have a good description of the Bishop’s living quarters: “They were on the ground floor in the wing to the left of the entrance. They consisted of a narrow antechamber and then the room where he received visitors. The latter was quite large but very modest in appearance. There was also a living room, with low ceiling and badly decorated walls on which hung oil painting of Oblate Bishops. Finally, his bedroom was to the left of the antechamber. Its walls were covered with old and faded blue paper which few would tolerate in their own home. Because of the works being done in the house towards the end of is life, his bedroom was transferred to the upper floor of that same wing and it was there that he died.”
Eugene was absolutely insistent that the Bishop’s house should be open to all who wished to see him. It so happened that as Duke Mac Mahon waited in the room to see the Bishop he sat alongside an old beggar woman. On the First of August 1858 the municipal authorities came in full dress to wish the Bishop a Happy Birthday. No wonder the Mayor was astonished to see the room filled with “a swarm of fishwives and women from the market shouting at the top of their voices: “Long live Bishop! God bless you. Many happy returns!” They were
received by the Bishop first and meanwhile the gentlemen of the municipality continued to wait their turn.”
This house also witnessed the final moments of the saintly bishop. Bishop Jeancard who assisted Eugene at the death bed wrote: “On May 21, 1861, having blessed his dear Oblates for the last time, he made a final recommendation to them that they should practice charity among themselves and zeal for the salvation of souls. The aged bishop then breathed his last while those present were finishing the recitation of the Salve Regina. He had been in coma during the preceding days but had regained consciousness as the final hour approached. That had been his wish that was his prayer: “How I wish to be aware of dying so that I can accept the will of God.” Indeed, he had frequently given instructions as follows: “If I should happen to doze and my condition becomes worse I beg of you to awaken me. I want to know that I am dying when the moment of death arrives.” The old worrier wished to be conscious for that supreme moment.
Two days before his death, our dear Father said to me: “I do not weep because I am going to die. No indeed, but I weep because I am leaving people who are dear to me. You must be aware that the good God has given me a heart with immense capacity and that He has allowed me to love all of you immensely with that heart. When I am no longer with you, there will be somebody who will take my place in authority, someone who will appreciate you according to your merits, but who will never love you as I have loved you.”
Unfortunately the house isn't owned by the Church any more. Not it is the office the Marseille Police headquarters. However police officers still say that they work in the bishop's house.