View over the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Basilica

Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, the Bonne Mère watching over Marseille

From the Vieux-Port, you enjoy an unobstructed view of the basilica Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, a symbol of Marseille. Perched on its hill, the Bonne Mère watches over the city and the sailors. The Marseille audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this emblematic monument, visible from almost everywhere in the city.

The symbol of the Phocaean city

The basilica Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, affectionately nicknamed the Bonne Mère, dominates Marseille from the top of its hill. A symbol of the city, this Romano-Byzantine style sanctuary is famous for its architectural beauty and the golden statue of the Virgin that crowns its bell tower. A place of pilgrimage and protection of sailors, it offers one of the finest panoramas of the city, the port and the islands.

What to see

From the Vieux-Port, the outline of the basilica and its golden Virgin stand out on the hill. On site, the interior richly decorated with mosaics and the three-hundred-and-sixty-degree panorama of Marseille, the port and the Frioul islands are well worth the climb. It is the must-see monument of the city, to be admired from afar as well as visited up close.

Practical information

The basilica Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde stands on a hill dominating Marseille, reachable on foot by a climb, by public transport or by a small tourist train. A working place of worship, it can be visited with respect for services; entry is generally free and hours vary with the season. It is best to bring sturdy shoes for the ascent.

Why is Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde called the Bonne Mère?

It is the affectionate nickname that the people of Marseille give to the basilica and its golden Virgin, protector of the city and the sailors.

What can you see from Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde?

A three-hundred-and-sixty-degree panorama of Marseille, the Vieux-Port, the sea and the Frioul islands, from the hill that dominates the city.