• Live Marseille like a local! – 3 day tour

    Live Marseille like a local! – 3 day tour

    Take a walk in the cultural and thematic circuits Photographic workshop Brewery and tasting of different styles of beers Panier district, the oldest district of Marseille The Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde

  • 2H: City-Tour Marseille

    2H: City-Tour Marseille

    Immerse yourself in the heart of Marseille and start this tour by visiting the oldest district of the city: le Panier. Then, you will follow the coast passing by the unmissable Corniche John Fitzgerald Kennedy, “the longest bench in the world”, which offers a breathtaking view of the Marseille massif as well as the neighboring…

  • Private Tour in Marseille with a Local Guide

    Private Tour in Marseille with a Local Guide

    Discover Marseille through the eyes of a passionate local, on an immersive tour that takes you to the heart of the city’s hidden treasures. You’ll explore the historic Panier district, with its picturesque alleys and vibrant street art, visit the majestic Cathédrale de la Major, and admire the modern architecture of the MUCEM with breathtaking…

  • Lyon: Private Historic Guided Tour

    Lyon: Private Historic Guided Tour

    Lyon is one of the largest cities of France and is known for its historical and architectural landmarks. In this tour, you will have the chance to visit the famous ancient Lyon, a place full of secrets paths and historical buildings. First, you will enjoy a panorama of the city from the Parc des Hauteurs…

  • Architectural Marseille: Private Tour with a Local Expert

    Architectural Marseille: Private Tour with a Local Expert

    Join a Local Expert for a two-hour exclusive journey through Marseille’s architecture, a can’t-miss experience where historic heritage meets modern design, and every building tells a story of style and time. • Enjoy a private and intimate tour, exclusively for your group. • Discover Marseille’s iconic architecture with the guidance of a Local Expert. •…

  • Discover Marseille’s most Photogenic Spots with a Local

    Discover Marseille’s most Photogenic Spots with a Local

    Join a Local for a 90-minute photogenic journey through Marseille, exploring picturesque highlights and gaining cultural insights. Navigate from the iconic Old Charity Center capturing its ancient, ornate architectural style to the emblematic Basilica of Notre-Dame of la Garde renowned for its striking hilltop presence. It is more than just seeing Marseille, it is about…

  • Marseille: Cosquer Cave Ticket & Le Panier District Audio Tour

    Marseille: Cosquer Cave Ticket & Le Panier District Audio Tour

    Dive into prehistory with an entry ticket to the Cosquer Cave. With a sightseeing app, explore the city of Marseille and see its iconic landmarks at your own pace. Start your exploration above the ‘sea’ by walking along a floating walkway and see the diving gear used during the remarkable discovery of the Cosquer Cave.…

  • Marseille Shore Excursion: Half Day Tour of Marseille by Electric Bike

    Marseille Shore Excursion: Half Day Tour of Marseille by Electric Bike

    Specially designed for cruise passengers, this tour will show you the best of Marseille with free pick up and drop off from Marseille cruise terminal. You will see the main highlights of the city: the Mucem (museum) area, the old port, the Pharo Palace, the Vallon des Auffes, the corniche Kennedy, Notre Dame de la Garde basilica…

  • Marseille E-Bike Shore Excursion to Calanques National Parc

    Marseille E-Bike Shore Excursion to Calanques National Parc

    Specially designed for cruise passengers, in this full day tour, you will see the best of Marseille coast: the Pharo Palace, the Vallon des Auffes, the corniche Kennedy, the Prado Beaches, the Goudes Village, the calanque of Callelongue (little French fjords), Notre Dame de la Garde basilica among others. Your professional guide will give you…

  • Trip to Aix-en Provence, Marseille & Countryside Wine Tour

    Trip to Aix-en Provence, Marseille & Countryside Wine Tour

    I propose you to discover 3 different ambiances of Provence during thris trip. Marseille is a very dynamic and melting pot city where you’ll visit the most amazing monument – the basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde and admire its stunning view of all the city and Mediterranean sea. Then, we’ll move to the…

  • Private trip to Cassis, Calanques & Marseille with wine tasting

    Private trip to Cassis, Calanques & Marseille with wine tasting

    An exceptional day to discover the beauty & various ambiances of the Mediterranean coast. We can start by Marseille visiting the incredible basilica Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde with its amazing 360° view of the city and sea. You can as well have a walk in the vibrant Old Port. But if you prefer to simply relax by the…

  • Customizable trip to discover the richness of Provence in one day

    Customizable trip to discover the richness of Provence in one day

    Discover various landscapes, experience local lifestyle & immerse in different ambiances in Provence without running. My goal is to make you happy & unwid. According to your expectations, pickup location, day energy & mood we will fix together the perfect itinerary selecting & mixing these visits: COUNTRYSIDE: peaceful nature, hilltop authentic villages, wine tasting, incredible landscapes,…

  • Private Tour from Marseille Cruise Port or Hotel with Luxury Van

    Private Tour from Marseille Cruise Port or Hotel with Luxury Van

    Embarking on an independent exploration of Marseille, the Mediterranean’s largest coastal city, can be overwhelming. Elevate your Marseille vacation experience with a stress-free private 4-hour sightseeing tour. Our all-inclusive private transportation ensures seamless visits to iconic attractions like Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica, Le Panier, and Vieille Charité, in utmost comfort and convenience. Enjoy the…

  • Private Photography Session in Paris

    Private Photography Session in Paris

    This experience is different because is 1 in 3 : photography session , lunch and visit . Another propositions here include just one of them . Planning of our trip : 1. Cobbled streets, historic buildings, Place du Tertre where the artists paint 2.The Pink House or La Maison Rose. Situated at the corner of…

  • Marseille Guided Tour : Panier & Notre-Dame de la Garde

    Marseille Guided Tour : Panier & Notre-Dame de la Garde

    Meet and greet your tour guide in Marseille at 9 am, in front of the City Hall (Hôtel de Ville) on Quai du Port. Set off on foot to walk through the old preserved Panier district. After a walk up and down its quaint streets, you will visit the Vieux Port and its fish market…

  • MARSEILLE Shore Excursion : Taste of Provence Aix and Cassis

    MARSEILLE Shore Excursion : Taste of Provence Aix and Cassis

    In this 7-hours private tour, discover the Marseille area high-lights through the eyes of a local private guide. The tour will include the drive through Marseille along the famous old port, the overlooking basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde and the seafront Corniche. From there you will have splendid views on the magnificent villas…

  • Private Giverny and Montmartre Tour with Pickup

    Private Giverny and Montmartre Tour with Pickup

    This trip is unique as it is very rare combination of Two amazing attractions -Giverny and Montmartre .your Driver pick you from your hotel and takes you Giverny – is a village in the region of Normandy in northern France. Impressionist painter Claude Monet lived and worked here from 1883 until his death in 1926.…

  • Marseille Local Neighborhoods Guided Walking Tour

    Marseille Local Neighborhoods Guided Walking Tour

    Your guide will meet you along the Corniche and lead you on a journey from Vallon des Auffes to the Beach of the Prophet, meandering through quiet side roads. Explore the charming district of Malmousque and stroll along the serene coves of the coast. Take a peaceful break in Vallon de la Fausse Monnaie or…

  • Private Marseille City tour and Private transfer to Any adress in Marseille includ the Airport

    Private Marseille City tour and Private transfer to Any adress in Marseille includ the Airport

    In this half-day private tour, discover the city of Marseille: its old port and the historical center. Observe the Palais Longchamp (Water Castle), which was build in 1869 to bring water from the Durance river to Marseille. Go to the iconic basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde (usually called la bonne Mère) that was…

  • Private Excursion Cassis and Marseille City Tour

    Private Excursion Cassis and Marseille City Tour

    In this full day private tour, see the highlights of Provence .  Cassis the little Saint-Tropez of Provence and reach one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe and enjoy the beautiful view. With your professional Driver/Guide, head towards Marseille where you will visit the basilica of Notre-Dame de La Garde and admire the panoramic…


No sightseeing tour is complete without a visit to Notre-Dame de la Garde; in fact, the religious site, nicknamed “La Bonne Mère,” is one of Marseille’s most-visited attractions. There are many ways to absorb the highlights of the port city: you can take a half-day shore excursion, zip around by electric bike, or combine a tour with a visit to other Provencal villages, such as Cassis and Aix-en-Provence. Tours and shore excursions also run to Marseille from Toulon, Avignon, and Aix-en-Provence, typically in combination with other towns around Provence.

Things to Know Before You Go

  • Entrance to the cathedral is free, but there’s a small fee to visit the cathedral’s museum.
  • Visitor facilities include two gift shops, a café, and parking.
  • Most areas of the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde are wheelchair accessible.

How to Get There

Notre-Dame de la Garde perches on a steep hill. From Vieux Port (Old Port) just to the north, it’s a 20-minute bus ride—bus 60 runs from Cours Jean Ballard—to the basilica. You can also get there on foot (about an hourlong hike from the Old Port) or by taking the Petit Train from Quai des Belges.

When to Get There

La Bonne Mère is open daily year round, but it can get busy in peak season (July and August), when it’s best to visit in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the tour groups. Assumption Day (August 15), when a special mass is held at the church, tends to draw large crowds.

Inside Notre-Dame de la Garde

After admiring the basilica’s elaborate facade and Virgin Mary statue, marvel at the lavish interior, which is adorned with colorful marble, maritime-inspired murals, and intricate mosaics. The cathedral was painstakingly restored in 2006, but bullet marks and shrapnel scars on the northern façade are visible remnants of the fighting that took place during the Battle of Marseille in August 1944. And don’t miss checking out the view from the dome—it’s a dramatic panorama of the terracotta roofs dotting the city below.