Author: e-boutique

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On January 1516, after his famous victory of 1515 in Marignan in North of Italia, the young François I came for the first time in Marseilles where he was joined by his wife and mother.

He did not fail to mount his devotions in the chapel of Our Lady of the Guard. Interested, as a king, in the problems of defense, he noted with regret that the city of Marseilles was very badly defended. It was surrounded by a very modest enclosure, but it did not possess any fort, whereas many other French cities were already provided with it. This was quite understandable, since Provence had been united to France only in 1481, only thirty-five years earlier, and the kings of France – for it was always they who built the Forts – had not yet had the opportunity of building them in Marseilles. Francis I went back to Paris, thinking that one day the defense of the city would have to be strengthened.

Charles V., Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, sought to seize the south of France to unite the two parts of his empire (Central Europe and Spain). He besieged Marseilles in 1524. He did not succeed in taking the city. But Francis I returned to Provence and decided to build two forts in Marseilles: one in the island of If (the famous Castle of If) and the other on the top of the hill of the Garde where Found the chapel.

In black, the chapel enclosed in the military fort of Francis I. In white, the pieces intended for the governor and the garrison.

In white, the pieces intended for the governor and the garrison. The latter is now encompassed in the fort. A fort that received the name of “Fort Notre-Dame de la Garde”. Logically, it should have been closed to the public, for the chapels of the forts were evidently for the exclusive use of the soldiers of the garrison. But Francis I decided that in time of peace the faithful could reach the chapel by borrowing the drawbridge that during the day the soldiers would maintain in low position. The roof covers both the chapel and the adjacent rooms.

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« From my house, I can see HER, I can talk to HER! »

HER, it is obviously “Notre-Dame de la Garde” !
She is part of the life of the Marseillais. She’s given the penalties. She’s associated with joys. When one is absent from Marseilles, on the return, one watches with his eyes.
La Bonne Mère ! (The Good Mother)
Of course, there is the geographical site: unique, to discover Marseilles in all its magnitude!
But there is more: Mary, the Mother who presents her Son, and what a Son! Image of tenderness and kindness. Offered to all, for all.
Then there’s the hill. We climb slowly, with effort, fatigue, gaze lowered on his feet, head sometimes raised to the top, back to the city, back bent by effort, but also the worries of life, heavy things to deposit . And on the way back, we descend with lightness, smile, joy, wonder.
Eyes look for his neighborhood, his church, his landmarks. We are no longer alone anymore.
She’s accompanies us.

Visitors to this website, we would like to share with you what the Good Mother represents for us: more than a landscape, more than a sanctuary, a Mother!
For this, here is some information to facilitate your visit, your pilgrimage, your passage. Above all, do not run! Stop a moment, close your eyes, dare to speak to him, to confide in you.
Actually, she’s waiting for you!
Welcome at the « Bonne Mère ».

Georges PONTIER
Archevêque de Marseille

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On June 18-19-20-21 in 1931 the celebrations of the coronation of “Notre-Dame de La Garde” took place.

82 years later, on June 18, 2013, the Notre-Dame de La Garde Museum open his doors.

Open every day except on Mondays. Tuesday & Sunday 10h-13h/14h-17h30. Wednesday to Saturday : 10h-17h30.

CLOSED ON MONDAY

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