Notre-Dame de la Garde is a basilica on the highest hill in Marseille, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southern France. It is the city's most recognizable landmark, and from its terrace you can see across the Mediterranean Sea and much of the city below.
What to see
- The basilica itself, a 19th-century monument with a golden statue of the Virgin Mary that crowns its tower.
- The views, which are the reason many visitors climb the hill. On a clear day the sea and the coastline stretch out in every direction.
- The setting, on a hill above the city, which makes the walk up part of the visit.
What kind of visit it makes
This is a good stop for an unhurried hour or two, whether you come for the architecture, the panorama, or simply to get your bearings in Marseille. Because the site sits high above the city, it suits a morning or late-afternoon visit, when the light over the water is at its softest. Allow time for the approach, as the hill is steep and the paths are best taken at an easy pace.
Around it
The basilica is in the 6th arrondissement, a short distance from the city's older quarters and its harbour. Many visitors combine a visit here with a walk down through the neighbourhoods toward the Old Port, or with a trip to the coast. Its position makes it one of the easiest ways to understand how Marseille sits between its hills and the sea.