Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Cathedral without exaggeration - the most visited attraction of the French Marseille . The Catholic temple stands on a high hill, so it can be seen from almost everywhere . The monastery was built in the middle of the 18th century on the site of the former chapel and since then remains one of the main pilgrimage sites of Marseille . Especially here there are many believers on the day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, held every year on August 15 . The top of the bell tower and without that majestic cathedral adorns 11-meter gilded statue of the Virgin Mary with the baby .

Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde cathedral open for visiting all year round. However, in summer (from April to September) because of the influx of tourists, it works for a longer time - from 7.00 to 19.15. In winter (October to March), access to the temple is from 7.00 to 18.15

You can reach the cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Garde by public transport (the bus reaches number 60), or by car, if you, for example, rented a car. Near the cathedral there is parking, but keep in mind that exactly at 19.00 in the winter and at 20.00 in the summer parking lot will have to leave. Travel by bus costs 2 EUR per person (October 2013)

After a guided tour of the Notre-Dame de la Garde cathedral, you can have a snack in the working here restaurant. It is open daily from 8.00 to 17.30. The excursions themselves - as, indeed, the entrance to the temple - are free for all visitors. But for their conduct, you must first send an application (this can be done through the official website of the cathedral), indicating the date and the desired theme of the excursion.

At the cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Garde there is a gift shop where you can buy for your memory figurines, rosary, icons and other religious attributes. The store is open every day from 9.00 to 18.30 (in the winter until 17.30). And finally,

Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Cathedral

Interior of Notre-Dame de la Garde Cathedral

Inside the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Garde