Our Lady of La Garde
If we have to start this list with a monument, it is definitely the one of the Good Mother! Our Lady of La Garde is clearly the most iconic monument in Marseille. It is often said that she watches over the people of Marseille from the top of her hill perched at 157 meters above sea level. For a little history, the first traces of this religious building date back to 1214, when it looked like a small chapel at the time. It was then enlarged in 1477 and was chosen as a lookout by King François 1st with the construction of the Fort on the island of If. 300 years later, the population of Marseille keeps increasing and the chapel becomes too small. The officials of the sanctuary therefore obtained permission to enlarge it and it gradually took on the appearance that we know today.Oh, wow! Fun fact: it took 28 horses to hoist the bell weighing over 8,200 kilograms to the top of the hill.
© ALTV
This monument is now a real landmark for the people of Marseille that has become a cherished part of the landscape to admire. And from its hill, the beauty of the city reveals itself.
Fort Saint-Jean
We all know this monument that has been part of our lovely Sunday walks by the Old Port, but what is the real story behind Fort Saint-Jean ? Well, the building has played a major role in the history of Marseille. This monument is actually an old commandery of the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem from the 12th century. It served as a stronghold for troops during times of conflict and was a crucial part of Marseille's defense.
The starting point of the crusades to the Holy Land. Today, it has become a cultural monument with regular exhibitions. It was during the construction of the Mucem that the Fort-Saint-Jean was given a beauty with a complete renovation to make it the magical walking place that we know today. Surprisingly, until 2013, the monument was off-limits to the public!
© saiko3p
The Longchamp Palace
This monument symbolizes the arrival of water from the Durance river into the city via the Marseille canal.The construction was overseen by the renowned architect Henri-Jacques-Espérandieu and was completed in 1869. Surrounded by a garden and waterfalls, the Longchamp Palace was designed as an ode to water.Today, the monument houses two museums:the Fine Arts Museum in the left wing and the Natural History Museum in the right wing.;In 1987, the gardens of the Palace welcomed a zoological garden, which has now become the Observatory of Marseille.
© Fabianodp
It's one of the favorite monuments of the people of Marseille, especially for its walks and beautiful sunsets!
The Château d'If
Perched on the If island in the Frioul archipelago, this fortification was also built under the instructions of King Francis I to defend against invasion and keep enemy ships at bay. Built with medieval inspiration, the castle has a keep, 3 towers, high walls, and a drawbridge! But gradually, it quickly became a prison. For nearly 400 years, it housed all the condemned souls...They were thieves, murderers, in short, all the outcasts of Marseille. But not everyone was treated the same! The poorest prisoners ended up in dark cells on the ground floor. The conditions were so unsanitary that they rarely survived more than 9 months. The richest prisoners, on the other hand, were entitled to spacious cells with a window and a fireplace!
© Boris Stroujko
Thanks to Alexandre Dumas and his famous novel The Count of Monte Cristo where the hero Edmond Dantès is imprisoned in the Château d'If, the monument has become known worldwide!
The Monument to the Soldiers of the Eastern Army
You cannot miss this monument in Marseille standing on the Corniche Kennedy by the sea. It is a true gateway to the East echoing the history of Marseille and highlighting the North African presence in the city. The idea of erecting a monument in memory of the war victims comes from G.aston Castel, Commander of the Legion of Honor. He decides to integrate a powerful and solid base representing the determination and sacrifice of soldiers during the war. The iconic location on the Corniche is not chosen at random, serving as a gateway in the sky. The perfect symmetry with the statue in front offers an exceptional viewpoint to admire the sunset!
© Olrat
Cathedral of the Major
A great meeting place for a quality sunset in the heart of Marseille, commonly known as the Major, this is the only cathedral built in the 19th century. A completely innovative construction site at a time when the city experienced a strong economic and demographic growth.
© Nataliya Horat
La Major then takes its place near the new commercial port towards La Joliette, where ships arriving from all over the world could admire the beauty of Marseille. Its dimensions, comparable to those of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, were meant to accommodate 3,000 people, and to be worthy of its status as France's main port. It was then classified as a historical monument in 1906.
But the list does not stop there and could be very long indeed! We also have the opportunity to visit the Pharo Palace, the Abbey of Saint Victor, the Vieille Charité center, the Marseille Citadel. Marseille is definitely full of wonders to explore!