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Marseille
Things to Do in Marseille
Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde
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Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde

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Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde
4.5
13,480 reviews
#1 of 276 things to do in Marseille
Religious Sites
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7:00 AM - 6:15 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 6:15 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 6:15 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 6:15 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 6:15 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 6:15 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 6:15 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 6:15 PM
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,910 within 3 miles
Wadina
347
0.4 mi$ • Lebanese • Middle Eastern • Vegetarian Friendly
L'eau Vive
182
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Pizzeria La Bonne Mère
273
0.1 mi$ • Italian • Pizza • European
Chez Vallès
124
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Vegetarian Friendly
Le Grand Guste
173
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • French
Sepia
290
0.4 mi$$$$ • French • Mediterranean • European
Maison vauban
62
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Cafe • Mediterranean
Chez Marinette
374
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • French • International • Mediterranean
Ourea
140
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Mediterranean • Gastropub
Tapas La Picadita
204
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Latin • Colombian • Central American
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Attractions
255 within 6 miles
Le char Jeanne d'Arc
7
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Abbaye Saint Victor
872
0.5 miReligious Sites
Randonnées théâtrales Marcel Pagnol Cie Dans la cour des Grands
772
0.9 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Le Vieux Port
9,194
0.8 miPiers & Boardwalks
Place aux Huiles
285
0.6 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Château d'If
1,774
0.8 miHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Palais du Pharo
786
0.9 miHistoric Sites • Gardens
Vallon des Auffes
1,444
0.9 miHistoric Walking Areas
Grand Synagogue
5
0.4 miReligious Sites
Musée d'Histoire de Marseille
631
1 miHistory Museums
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
13,480 reviews
Excellent
9,689
Very good
3,375
Average
350
Poor
43
Terrible
23
BobBl1950
Nottingham, UK29 contributions
Day out in Marseille
Jul 2022 • Solo
Staying in Aix en Provence I wanted to see Marseille, having not been there before.The local tourist information office were very helpful and advised the easiest way to travel was on the intercity bus, 10€ return approx 30/45 minutes depending on traffic. Very clean double decker coach took me to the bus station which was next door to train station and metro. Took metro to the Orange Velodrome a very impressive stadium. Metro easy to negotiate as there are only 2 lines.
Took metro back to Old Port and then took the Tourist “Train” to Norte Dame de la Garde, , it was busy but didn’t take long to get on, good multi lingual commentary. It’s a steep climb to the top so well worth the ride up .
Great views of the city and surrounding area from the top, not much shade but cooler in the church ( free to enter) . Church was very ornate. Ride back down to the Old Port for a drink and watch the world go by before slow walk back to the bus station.
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mmeere69
Ennis,Co.Clare,Ireland64 contributions
Beautiful views over the city and port
Mar 2023
For anyone visiting Marseille this is a must. The views from the top are just spectacular. The basicila itself is fairly impressive if you're into that sort of architecture ( I'm not). Its a very very steep climb up, I really feel unless you are very much into hill walking , take a bus or train. We got the local bus no.60 from the port for just €2, this includes a return journey if you return within the hour. There is a gift shop, restaurant and toilets here.
Its not suitable for anyone with walking or step climbing issues
Written March 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelbob1
New Windsor, NY1,131 contributions
Another Impressive Cathedral
Mar 2023
We found the Cathedral very beautiful and challenging. There is a lot of stairs to climb to the church. An elevator inside will get you to each level of the church itself including the roof tops. Consider all of this when going.
After all of this walking and climbing we did find the in and outside impressive. On this day the wind was also impressive and made the outside roof area a bit of a challenge.
Note. bathrooms will cost you a coin.
Written April 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
szi2013
Oslo, Norway309 contributions
Not allowed to take pics from outside, gates closed
Aug 2022 • Couples
The church closes at 18 o'clock.We knew this and went up at 19 to take some pics of the church and maybe enjoy the sunset and the views.Two security people was stopping people at the gate and said that is "ferme" but they still let in people who were smart enough to say that they are going to the restaurant They were picking the young ladies mostly and the French ones! Poorly organized, we could not understand why we cannot take pics of the basilica from outside.
The view is amazing, the sunset also.
But the church can just stay there, not worth a visit, if they don't value the people who wants to do that.
Written August 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jordanellie41
Bolton, UK982 contributions
UNMISSABLE !!!!!!!!!!
Oct 2022
Where do I start with this absolute gem of a sight? It was by far my favourite visit of anything in Marseille apart from the coastline - and I went to 36 different places whilst here! Yes it's an absolute hike to get up to it but by god is it worth the effort when you get there. Yes it's an absolute hike to get up to but by god is it worth the effort when you're finally there. You can already start to get some great photos even from a distance as you walk to it. It's a lovely cathedral perched high up above Marseille that can be seen from anywhere in the city. It simply doesn't disappoint with it's many different levels from the car park up to it's balcony with stunning 360 degree views over the city and sea. There are lovely walkways, little perches for getting great photos, balconies and a crypt. Outside it's main feature is it's high steeple with a gold leaf statue on top which lights up at night. Inside you'll find one of the grandest interiors you'll ever come across with lots of gold leaf, unbelievable designs on the walls, lots of picture frames, statues, alcoves and an absolute wonderful altar. But perhaps the most majestic part of the cathedral is it's ceiling with an array of colours and designs I've only ever seen bettered in Florence. Even more amazing is the fact that they don't charge you anything to see it all. Truly spectacular and not to be missed!
Written November 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernie H
Ennis, Ireland165 contributions
Stunning views and impressive architecture
Feb 2023
We stopped here on the hop-on-hop off bus tour and climbed the steps to the cathedral. Its quite a climb but the views are absolutely magnificent and worth while. Inside the actual church is surprisingly small, but beautiful.
The view of the church from anywhere in the city is fantastic as it dominates the skyline ... truly impressive
Written February 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WanderingOttersons
Denver, CO1,181 contributions
Beautiful views from the site
Oct 2022
If you’re in Marseille for any amount of time, you cannot miss this. Sitting on top of the tallest hill of the city in full view from the harbor is this church. From the grounds around the base, you can get some of the most amazing and complete views of the whole city, even the southern areas that you would not even know are there behind this hill. The day we made our way up, the main church was closed so we were unable to get inside to check it out but I’d be hard pressed to think it’s better than inside the Cathedral. Outside is a very similar design with the stripes of multi-colored stone. The views from the outside though, are worth the trip up the hill. You’ve got options to catch a bus from the harbor, take the tourist train or take the pilgrimage and walk up. I would not suggest driving up as the parking is difficult at best. Either way, you should stop and check out the views. And maybe go inside if it isn’t closed.
Written January 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mingfatsai
Grand Island, NE4,488 contributions
A Special Place
Sep 2021
The Basilique sits atop the highest point near the city and has utterly commanding views. Simply spectacular. The church has a very interesting history and has played a prominent role in city events over the past several centuries. Steeply enmeshed in Marseille’s nautical background, people would come here to seek God’s assistance in the return of loved ones lost at sea. Pictures adorn the walls and model ships hang from the ceiling as expressions of thanks for the safe return of loved ones at risk. It’s a special and touching piece of Marseille’s history and a must-visit here. Lovely in every way.
Written October 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
signindoc
Saint John, Canada97 contributions
Great visit with superb views.
Sep 2022
A "must see" in Marseilles.

The views from the Basilique are spectactular and the edifice itself is a beautiful creation with many works of art within.

Unfortunately the useum there was closed when we visited.

Good exercise too getting up the hill and steps.
Written September 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia42,976 contributions
A must visit
Jul 2019
Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde is a beautiful building standing tall at the highest peak of the old city. It was built in a couple of different styles, one of which is the lovely Neo-Byzantine style. The history of the church goes back to around the 12th or 13th centuries. It started off as a small church and because of its high location became a sort of symbol, particularly for sailors, who ended up making offerings of thanks after surviving shipwrecks. This also explains the presence of small boat offerings which hang around the interior of the church. The present building is actually a kind of extension of the original smaller church, and was built in the second half of the 19th century. The interior of the church is absolutely stunning and the exterior is also beautiful. The views from the top of the hill where the church is located are really wonderful and panoramic. You can see practically the whole city down below. We walked up the hill and this took us quite a while, but it was pleasant. many people, however, prefer to either drive or catch the bus or tourist "train" to the top.
Written June 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde, Marseille

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Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde is open:
  • Sun - Sat 7:00 AM - 6:15 PM
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