Monuments

Monuments
Museums
The Other Places not to miss
Monuments and Museums
Monuments
Summary
Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde
Cathédrale de la Major
Église des Réformés
Palais Longchamp
Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde
Notre dame de la Garde, “La Bonne Mère”, emblematic landmark of the city, watches over sailors,
fishermen and all the inhabitants. During your stay in Marseille, you can admire from above the hill
the panorama that awaits you.
Several chapels preceded its construction but in the middle of the 19th century Archbishop de
Mazenod decides to build a large basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde. The construction was entrusted to
the architect Espérandieu and consecration took place on the 5th of June 1864. The hill takes then its
full symbolism: sacred place, urban place within the construction of the basilica in 1853. Now, the
silhouette of the edifice has become inseparable of the image of Marseille.
The monumental statue of the Virgin on the top of the bell tower remains the basilica’s strong
symbol. It was entrusted to the sculptor Lequesne and implemented in september 1870.
To get to the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde
Bus 60: Notre-Dame de la Garde Bus-stop
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Cathédrale de la Major
Cathédrale de la Majeur or Basilique de Sainte Marie Majeure stands on an esplanade a little away
from the city-center, between the Vieux-Port and the new commercial port close to the Joliette
district, Fort Saint-Jean and the future Musée National des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la
Méditerranée (MUCEM).
Its architecture is imposing, its interior decoration of marble and porphyry makes of it a particularity
in religious building and its impressive dimensions rank it amongst the largest cathedrals in the
world.
The current Église de la Major is the former cathedral of Marseille. it is the oldest church in Marseille.
It was classified historical monument on the 9th of august 1906.
To get to Cathédrale de Major
Metro 2: Joliette station
Bus 49: Cathédrale de la Major Bus-stop
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Église des Réformés
The neo-Gothic church dates from the late 19th century and was designed by Father Pougnier,
builder of many religious edifices, as far as Algeria, Tunisia and Palestine.
The baptistery is located on the left of the entrance: Magnificent stained-glass windows recount the
life of John the Baptist. On the square, the statue of Jeanne d’Arc is the work of Louis Botinelly.
It is located on the Couvent des Augustins Réformés, hence its name. Of gothic style, it holds many
curiosities including bronze doors, stained-glass of Dridon, and an organ of Merklin.
Every year, on the last sunday of november , the church celebrates a mass in provençal language for
the inauguration of the “Santons” fair.
To get to Église des Réformés
Metro 1: Réformés-Cannebière station
Tram T2: Réformés-Cannebière station
Bus 81: Libération-Réformés bus-stop
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Palais Longchamp
The monument was inaugurated in 1869 commemorating the arrival of the waters of Canal de la
Durance to Marseille. The highly rich decoration of the edifice, mainly of sculptures, evokes the
abundance and fertility brought about by the waters of the canal.
On the same site are brought together Le Musée des Beaux-Arts (currently closed for renovations),
the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle and a botanical and zoological park.
If the construction of Palais Longchamp was a feed back of the power of Marseille, le Museum
d’Histoire Naturelle also witnesses the city’s political, economical and scientific life.
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Indeed, merchants, shipowners and native worldwide known naturalists contributed in the
development of the collection. Also contributed the zoo that did not always manage to save the
“fashionable” animals in transit for a few months in Marseille before being transported to the
zoological parks of Paris.
To get to Palais Longchamp
Metro 1: Cinq Avenues - Longchamp station
Tram T2: Longchamp station
Bus 81: Métro Cinq Avenues bus-stop
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