Musée de Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde

About the museum

The museum of the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica presents eight centuries of the Marseille sanctuary's history across more than 350 m². After roughly three years of renovation, it reopened to the public at the end of 2022.

The route is divided into four parts: the pilgrimage to Notre-Dame de la Garde over the centuries, the origins of the sanctuary, its reconstruction in the 19th century, and an area for temporary exhibitions. It draws on the basilica's rich collections: ex-votos, paintings, prints, sculptures, models, sacred goldsmiths' work, ritual objects and liturgical vestments, as well as videos and photographic documents.

Ex-votos, offered for centuries by pilgrims and in particular by sailors, hold an important place. Two temporary exhibitions are organized each year, usually opening around June and around December. The Discovery Workshop (Atelier des découvertes), included in the visit, was designed for children, visually impaired visitors and visitors with reduced mobility.

Highlights

• Eight centuries of the sanctuary's history across more than 350 m²
• Numerous ex-votos, including ship models donated by sailors
• Paintings, sculptures, sacred goldsmiths' work and liturgical vestments
• Discovery Workshop for children and for visually impaired or mobility-impaired visitors
• Open every day

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours permanent du musée – Eight centuries of the sanctuary's history: the pilgrimage, its origins and the 19th-century reconstruction, illustrated with ex-votos, paintings and sacred goldsmiths' work.

Operated by

Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde

Admission & discounts

The reduced rate is granted on proof.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the Marseille tourist office, the museum is accessible to wheelchair users independently, with an accessible entrance and toilets equipped with grab bars. The Tourisme et Handicap label is listed for motor, visual, hearing and intellectual disabilities. The Discovery Workshop offers tactile ex-votos, among other things.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

The Discovery Workshop, included in the visit, offers around fifteen activities designed with Artesens: interactive mini theaters, models to assemble, tactile ex-votos and mosaics to complete.

Getting there & parking

It is also possible to walk up via the streets of the hill or along the paths through the pine grove. There is no bike-share station on site, but cyclists are welcome.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

The basilica site has a restaurant open daily from 08:15 to 16:30, a shop on the seventh floor (daily, 10:00 to 17:45) and a shop on the third floor (Friday to Sunday, 10:00 to 17:30).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit