# Notre-Dame de la Garde, Marseille > Notre-Dame de la Garde is the basilica on Marseille's highest point, a 149-metre rock above the Old Port, and the city's emblem and most visited sight. Locals call it the 'Good Mother': the golden Madonna on its bell tower can be seen from everywhere and greets ships coming in. Inside are mosaics on gold and model ships given by sailors, and the terrace has the best view of the city, the sea and the Château d'If. Entry is free; allow about an hour. Web page: https://yesgo.io/france/marseille/notre-dame-de-la-garde - City: [Marseille](https://yesgo.io/france/marseille), France - YesGo score: 50/100 (Yes, go) - Time on site: 1 h - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Free - Hours: Daily by day - Hill height: 149 m above the Old Port - Statue: An 11.2 m Madonna on the bell tower - Duration: ≈ 1 hour - Location: The hill south of the Old Port - Coordinates: 43.28395, 5.37123 - Facts checked: 12.11.2026 ## Key facts - **149 m** — height of the rock below the basilica (source: English Wikipedia) - **1864** — the basilica consecrated (source: English Wikipedia) - **11.2 m** — height of the golden Madonna (source: English Wikipedia) - **1,200 m²** — of mosaics in the upper church (source: English Wikipedia) ## About Notre-Dame de la Garde Notre-Dame de la Garde is a Catholic basilica on a limestone outcrop south of the Old Port, the highest point in Marseille. It's the city's emblem and its most visited sight. A first chapel to the Virgin was built here as early as 1214, while the present basilica took over forty years to build from **1853**, to designs by the architect **Henri-Jacques Espérandieu**. Locals call the basilica the **'Good Mother'**, la Bonne Mère, and see her as the protector of the city and its sailors. Above the 41-metre bell tower stands a **gilded statue of the Madonna and Child**, 11.2 metres tall, visible from almost anywhere in Marseille and far out to sea. ## What to see - **The golden Madonna** — the statue on the bell tower above the city. - **The upper church** — mosaics on gold and striped marble. - **Model ships** — sailors' gifts hanging from the vaults. - **Ex-votos** — paintings and plaques of thanks. - **The crypt** — the lower church carved into the rock. - **The terrace** — a panorama of Marseille, the port and islands. ## The upper church and mosaics The basilica is two churches in one. The lower one, the Romanesque **crypt**, is carved straight into the rock. The upper church is **Neo-Byzantine**: outside you know it by its bands of pale and green stone, inside by columns of alternating red and white marble and **1,200 m² of mosaics** on a gold ground. The basilica was restored in 2001–2008: the mosaics were cleaned of candle soot, and new tesserae were ordered from the same Venice workshop that made the originals. The vaults shine again, especially on a sunny day. > **Don't miss** Look up in the upper church: **model ships** hang from the vaults and the walls are covered in **ex-votos**, pictures and plaques that sailors and their families gave the 'Good Mother' in thanks for being saved. The custom is recorded here as far back as the 15th century. It's one of the most moving collections of its kind in the Mediterranean. ## The view from the terrace The terrace around the basilica has **the best view of Marseille**: the Old Port with its yachts, the rooftops, the cathedral by the sea, the island of the **Château d'If** and the Frioul islands, and beyond the city the mountains and the coves of the Calanques. It's a fine spot for sunset, when the sun drops into the sea right behind the islands. Be aware that a strong wind, the mistral, often blows at the top. On those days hold on to your hat and sunglasses, though the view on a clear day after the mistral reaches especially far. ## Feast days and pilgrimage The basilica is the site of a great pilgrimage on **15 August**, the Feast of the Assumption: a procession climbs the hill and the service draws thousands. On ordinary days Mass is said here, so keep quiet and don't take photos during services. For the people of Marseille the 'Good Mother' is more than a church: her image is on souvenirs, T-shirts and shop names all over the city. Locals bring visitors up here to show them Marseille from above. ## How to get there 1. By bus no. 60 from the Old Port to the basilica itself, 15–20 minutes. 2. On the tourist train from the Old Port, on a loop over the hill. 3. On foot from the Old Port, a 30–40-minute climb with stairs. 4. By car, with a small car park near the top. ## Tips for your visit An hour covers the basilica and terrace. It's easiest to ride up by bus and walk down, through quiet streets to the Old Port and the Abbey of Saint-Victor. The basilica pairs naturally with a trip to the [Château d'If](https://yesgo.io/france/marseille/chateau-d-if): see the island from above first, then catch the boat from the Old Port. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. The basilica has a small café and shop. There's little shade on the terrace, so bring water and a hat in summer. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Ride up on bus no. 60 - [ ] Spot the model ships in the vaults - [ ] Look at the ex-votos - [ ] Go down to the crypt - [ ] Catch the sunset from the terrace ## 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 Notre-Dame de la Garde is the basilica on the hill; Marseille Cathedral (La Major) is the other big striped church, by the sea next to MuCEM. ## Tips - Bus 60 up. - Walk down. - Cover shoulders and knees. - Sunset from the terrace. ## Questions ### How do I get to Notre-Dame de la Garde? By bus no. 60 from the Old Port, on the tourist train or on foot uphill. ### Is Notre-Dame de la Garde free? Yes, entry to the basilica is free. ### How long do I need at the basilica? About an hour including the terrace. ### Why is it called the 'Good Mother'? It's the locals' name for the Madonna, protector of the city and its sailors. ### Where is the best view of Marseille? From the terrace of Notre-Dame de la Garde, 149 metres up. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia. Opening hours and transport routes weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Notre-Dame de la Garde - Basilica official website, notredamedelagarde.fr --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.