# Marseille Cathedral (La Major) > Marseille Cathedral, La Major, is a vast striped church with domes on the seafront, between the old Le Panier quarter and the port of La Joliette. It was built in 1852–1896 in Neo-Byzantine style by the same team behind Notre-Dame de la Garde. At 142 metres long with a 70-metre dome, it's one of France's largest cathedrals. Part of the old 12th-century Romanesque cathedral survives beside it, and MuCEM is a short walk away. Entry is free; allow about half an hour. Web page: https://yesgo.io/france/marseille/marseille-cathedral - City: [Marseille](https://yesgo.io/france/marseille), France - YesGo score: 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 40 min - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Free - Hours: By day, usually closed Monday - Built: 1852–1896 - Size: 142 m long, 70 m dome - Duration: ≈ 30–45 minutes - Location: Between Le Panier and La Joliette port - Coordinates: 43.29980, 5.36493 - Facts checked: 12.11.2026 ## Key facts - **142 m** — length of the cathedral (source: English Wikipedia) - **70 m** — height of the main dome (source: English Wikipedia) - **3,000** — seats in the cathedral (source: English Wikipedia) - **1896** — the cathedral completed (source: English Wikipedia) ## About La Major The Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-la-Major is Marseille's principal Catholic church and the archbishop's seat. Cathedrals have stood on this site since the 5th century. The present building's foundation stone was laid by **Emperor Napoleon III** in **1852**, the first service was held in 1893, and it was completed in 1896 and made a minor basilica. It was designed by the architects **Léon Vaudoyer** and **Henri-Jacques Espérandieu**, who also built Notre-Dame de la Garde on the hill. That's why the two look alike: bands of pale and green stone, domes and a Neo-Byzantine style. Locals simply call the cathedral **La Major**. ## What to see - **The façade** — striped stone, two towers and domes. - **The main dome** — 70 metres above the square. - **The interior** — marble, mosaics and a vast nave. - **Vieille Major** — the 12th-century Romanesque cathedral beside it. - **The esplanade** — a terrace above the sea and port. - **MuCEM** — the Mediterranean museum next door. ## Size and interior La Major is one of **France's largest cathedrals**: 142 metres long, covering 7,680 m², with room for up to three thousand people. The main dome rises to 70 metres, with several smaller domes around it and two towers on the façade. Inside it's spacious and light: columns and walls of **red and white marble**, mosaic floors, painted vaults and the altar under the dome. Unlike Notre-Dame de la Garde, it draws fewer tourists, so you can sit quietly for a while. > **Don't miss** Beside the new cathedral, on the sea side, survives the **'Vieille Major'**: the choir and one bay of a simple Romanesque cathedral of the **12th century**. When the new church was built, two bays of the old one were demolished, but the rest was kept. Compare them: a modest medieval cathedral and a giant 19th-century church stand literally side by side. ## Around the cathedral The cathedral stands on a rise above the sea, looking over the port of **La Joliette**, the ferries and the islands. Below it runs a broad **esplanade**, a fine place for a sunset stroll. A few minutes' walk away is **MuCEM**, the museum of the civilisations of Europe and the Mediterranean, and on the other side begin the lanes of **Le Panier**, Marseille's oldest quarter, with colourful houses and street art. From there it's an easy walk down to the Old Port. ## The cathedral and the city La Major was built as Marseille was growing fast into France's leading Mediterranean port. The huge cathedral by the new docks was meant to greet ships and show off the city's wealth. Today its domes are one of Marseille's most recognisable silhouettes, especially from the sea. It's a working church, with Mass, feast-day services and organ concerts. It has been protected as a historic monument since 1906. ## How to get there 1. Tram T2 to Joliette or Sadi-Carnot. 2. On foot from the Old Port, 10–15 minutes through Le Panier or along the sea. 3. Metro M2 to Joliette, then a 5-minute walk. 4. From MuCEM, 5 minutes along the esplanade. ## Tips for your visit Half an hour is enough for the cathedral. A good route: the Old Port, the lanes of Le Panier, La Major, MuCEM and an evening walk along the sea. The cathedral pairs easily with the [Old Port](https://yesgo.io/france/marseille/vieux-port), and for sunset head up to [Notre-Dame de la Garde](https://yesgo.io/france/marseille/notre-dame-de-la-garde), whose terrace looks down on both churches. Dress modestly and don't tour during services. The square and entrance are flat, easy with a pushchair. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Check the opening hours - [ ] Find the Vieille Major - [ ] Take in the marble interior - [ ] Walk the esplanade above the sea - [ ] Drop into MuCEM nearby ## Places in Marseille: compare and choose Places in Marseille rated by YesGo. - [Notre-Dame de la Garde](https://yesgo.io/france/marseille/notre-dame-de-la-garde) — YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Free - [Marseille Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/france/marseille/marseille-cathedral) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · Free ## Don't mix it up La Major is the cathedral by the sea; Notre-Dame de la Garde is the basilica on the hill with the golden Madonna. ## Tips - Half an hour is enough. - The Vieille Major is next door. - Sunset on the esplanade. - MuCEM is 5 minutes away. ## Questions ### How do I get to Marseille Cathedral? Tram T2 to Joliette, or 10–15 minutes on foot from the Old Port. ### Is La Major free? Yes, entry is free. ### How is La Major different from Notre-Dame de la Garde? La Major is the cathedral by the sea; Notre-Dame is the basilica on the hill. ### How long do I need at the cathedral? About half an hour. ### What is there to see near the cathedral? MuCEM, Le Panier and the Old Port. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia. Opening hours weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Marseille Cathedral - Marseille tourist office, marseille-tourisme.com --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.