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Church · Marselha, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde
The 19th-century basilica at the highest point of the city, with the large gilded statue of the Virgin and Child. The people of Marselha call it 'Bonne Mère'. From the terrace you can see the entire city, the port, the islands and the sea.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde
Notre-Dame de la Garde is the symbol of Marselha. It sits atop a limestone hill about 150 m high, south of the Vieux-Port, on the base of an old fort. Locals call it 'la Bonne Mère', protector of sailors and of the city.
The current church was designed by Henri-Jacques Espérandieu in a Romano-Byzantine style and consecrated in 1864, replacing a chapel that had stood there since the 13th century. From the bell tower rises the gilded statue of the Virgin and Child, more than 11 m tall, visible from almost the entire city.
Inside, the mosaics with gold backgrounds and the two-tone marble stripes are striking. The walls hold hundreds of ex-votos: paintings of shipwrecks, model boats and plaques of thanks left by sailors and families over more than a century.
The terrace around the basilica is the best viewpoint in Marselha: the Vieux-Port, the Cathédrale de la Major, the Château d'If and the Îles du Frioul, the surrounding mountains and, to the south, the coast that continues toward the calanques. There is no charge for entry.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About one hour for the church, the crypt and the terrace, not counting the climb.
Best time
In the morning, when there are fewer groups, or in the late afternoon, to see the low light over the sea. On mistral days—the strong north wind that blows mainly in winter and spring—the terrace becomes very windy, but the sky is usually clearer.
How to get there
Bus line 60 runs up from the Vieux-Port to the basilica. Tourist mini-trains also depart from the Vieux-Port. On foot, the climb from the Quai de Rive Neuve takes about 30 to 40 minutes, with slopes and steps in the final stretch.
Tip
If you have the energy, take the bus up and walk down through the neighborhood toward the Abbaye Saint-Victor and the Vieux-Port. As it is an active sanctuary, dress appropriately and respect the mass times.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde
Do you have to pay to enter Notre-Dame de la Garde?
Entry to the basilica is free. Check the opening hours before you go.
How to get up to the basilica without getting tired?
Bus line 60 departs from the Vieux-Port and stops near the basilica. Another option is the tourist trains that leave from the port.
Why does the basilica have so many boat ex-votos?
They are ex-votos, offerings from sailors and families in thanks for graces received, such as surviving a storm. They cover a large part of the walls.
What is the best time for the view?
In the late afternoon the light is lower over the sea and the islands. In the morning there are fewer people.