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Marseille Cathedral

Marseille Cathedral, known as La Major, is an imposing Romanesque-Byzantine building constructed between 1852 and 1893. It is notable for its monumental portal flanked by two towers, its 142-metre-long nave and its central dome, 70 metres high. Inside, the alternating coloured marbles, Venetian mosaics and monumental sculptures create a sumptuous space. The complex also includes the remains of the old Romanesque cathedral (Vieille Major), with its choir and a nave. Every 15 August, a Marian procession with strong local roots is held.

Things to do at Marseille Cathedral: 23 missions

• Visit Marseille CathedralVisit Marseille Cathedral in Marseille and get your bearings on the ground.
• Walk through the transeptThe 50-metre-long transept completes the arms of the cross alongside the main nave.
• Take in the statue of Bishop de BelsunceLook at the statue of Bishop de Belsunce in the narthex.
• Walk through the ambulatoryWalk along the long ambulatory that runs around the choir.
• Explore the sanctuariesClimb seven steps above the transept to reach the sanctuaries.
• Take in the high altarLook at the high altar of Carrara marble, with mosaics and a bronze canopy.
• See the monumental statues of the early holy bishops of MarseilleThe inner faces of the porch are filled with monumental statues of the early holy bishops of Marseille, grouped in threes.
• Discover the axial chapelGo into the axial chapel, a self-contained building with a narthex, nave and apse covered by a dome adorned with busts of angels.
• Explore the chapelsDiscover the bright chapels that open off the ambulatory.
• See the monumental statues depicting the four evangelistsTake in the monumental statues of the four evangelists at the corners of the main pillars.
• Take in the multicoloured mosaics of the Venetian schoolNotable for their originality are the multicoloured mosaics of the Venetian school that decorate the floor.
• Explore La Nouvelle MajorExplore La Nouvelle Major, built on an enormous scale in Byzantine and Romanesque Revival styles.
• Take in the tympanumThe tympanum is crowned by a triple arcade of archivolts with a rose window at the centre, accompanied by a mosaic depicting the cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
• See The Agnus Dei and the Fountain of LifeThe doorway tympanums are carved in marble, showing The Agnus Dei and the Fountain of Life to the west.
• See the monumental porticoTake in the monumental portico flanked by two towers.
• See the tomb of Saint Eugène de MazenodVisit the chapel that now houses the tomb of Saint Eugène de Mazenod.
• Admire The Coronation of the VirginThe doorway tympanums are carved in marble, showing The Coronation of the Virgin (by Guillaume) at the centre.
• Take in The Symbol of the ResurrectionThe doorway tympanums are carved in marble, showing The Symbol of the Resurrection to the east.
• See the transept crossingAt its centre lies the transept crossing, where four monumental arches support the central octagonal dome.
• Admire the porch vaultTake in the porch vault, covered with blue-and-gold mosaics.
• Visit the chapel dedicated to the Sacred HeartOn the left, go into the chapel dedicated to the Sacred Heart.
• See the architrave galleryLook at the architrave gallery that links the two towers.
• Take in the outer facadeLook at the outer facade, flanked by two domed towers.

Near Marseille Cathedral

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