Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde

Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde

Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, also known as “Notre-Dame of the Guard Cathedral,” is a Roman Catholic minor basilica in Marseille, France. This magnificent Neo-Byzantine church sits atop the highest point in Marseille—on a limestone peak at 162 meters above sea level on the south side of the Old Port. It is a major landmark in the city and serves as a pilgrimage site for the Feast of the Assumption on August 15th each year. Locals often refer to it as la bonne mère (meaning “the good mother”).

The Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde was built on the site of a 13th-century chapel. The hill also features a 16th-century fort constructed in 1525 by François I. The basilica’s bell tower rises 60 meters high and is topped with a massive statue of the Virgin Mary, approximately 11.2 meters tall. It is said that this gleaming statue can be seen from almost any spot in Marseille and even from several miles out at sea. The church took five years to build, using 170,000 tons of materials, including 23 shiploads of marble and porphyry from Italy. Its interior is adorned with marble, mosaics, and frescoes. Many walls are decorated with paintings, plaques, model ships, war medals, and even jerseys of players from Olympique de Marseille football club.

Notre-Dame de la Garde

Reason to visit: One of the most impressive Roman Catholic churches in France

Continent: Europe

Country/Region: France

Province/State: Rhône-Alpes Region

City: Marseille