Musée de Notre-Dame de la Garde

With its permanent and temporary exhibitions, its rich collection of objects and documents, and its spectacular view of the city and the sea, it offers an unforgettable experience for all who visit it.

The Museum of Notre Dame de la Garde is an emblematic place of the city of Marseille, located at the top of the hill of La Garde, which overlooks the city and the Mediterranean Sea. The museum is located within the walls of the sanctuary of the Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde, which is one of the most famous buildings in the city.

The museum is dedicated to the history of the Garde hill, the basilica and the city of Marseille in general. It offers a collection of more than 2000 objects, documents and photographs, covering a period from the 17th century to the present day.

The museum's permanent exhibitions are spread over two floors. On the first floor, visitors can discover the history of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, from its construction to the present day, as well as the great pilgrimage traditions that have animated the life of the shrine. This part of the exhibition is composed of photographs, documents and religious objects that illustrate the evolution of the building and its importance in the cultural and religious life of Marseille.
On the second floor, visitors can explore the history of the hill of La Garde, from ancient times to the present day. This part of the exhibition features a collection of photographs, archaeological objects and documents that tell the story of the hill, from its strategic position during antiquity to its use as a place of defense during the modern wars.

In addition to these permanent exhibitions, the museum also hosts two temporary exhibitions per year. Indeed, during the winter, the museum hosted a temporary exhibition entitled "Christmas in Provence" which focused on Provencal traditions around Christmas (santons de Provence, pastrage etc.). The new temporary exhibition will begin on May 14 and will be entitled: "With Mary, the Passion of Christ" and will present an exceptional collection of works of art from various periods on the Passion of Christ and the sufferings of his Mother the Virgin Mary.

Within the Museum, you will also have access to the "Atelier des Découvertes de Notre-Dame de la Garde". This is a cultural activity space located in the Museum of Notre-Dame de la Garde in Marseille. It is intended for children and young visitors of the museum, as well as school groups. The workshop offers a series of fun and educational activities that allow children and young people to discover the history and culture of the city of Marseille in an interactive way. The activities offered are adapted to different ages and levels of knowledge, and aim to stimulate the curiosity and imagination of visitors. Among the activities offered in the Atelier des Découvertes are the creation of models of the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica, the making of marine lanterns, or the discovery of Mediterranean flora and fauna. Children can also participate in role-playing games and investigations, which immerse them in the history and culture of the city.

The Atelier des Découvertes de Notre-Dame de la Garde is a space of animation and cultural mediation that offers children and young museum visitors a fun and interactive way to discover the history and culture of the city of Marseille. With its varied activities adapted to different ages, it is a must for families and school groups visiting the Museum of Notre-Dame de la Garde.