Cathedrale de la Major (solo trip)

Standing right by the port, this cathedral felt naturally connected to the sea. We had arrived in Marseille by cruise, and the embarkation and disembarkation point was just a short walk away, which made the visit feel effortless almost like the city was welcoming us straight into this space. From an architectural perspective, what stayed with me most was the way glass is used as an art form. Ligh...

Quite impressive from both the inside and outside. Free to enter. It may take a little work to access since it is situated on an elevated section and might require you to climb stairs. We were lucky enough to see many art displays that were set up inside.

I didn’t expect La Major to impress me as much as it did. Seeing it from the outside already feels special: the striped stone, the huge domes, the way it stands right by the sea. When I walked inside, it was quiet and surprisingly calming. I stayed longer than planned just looking around and enjoying the atmosphere. Even the area around the cathedral is beautiful to walk through. It’s one of the p...

📍 Start Point: MuCEM / Fort Saint-Jean Bridge (Esplanade J4) Duration: 10 minutes • Begin your tour at the MuCEM plaza, right by the sea — it’s one of Marseille’s most scenic starting points. • Your guide introduces the area’s layered history: • The Old Port as Marseille’s trading heart since 600 BC. • The fortifications (Fort Saint-Jean) built by Louis XIV. • How this area became the cultural g...

Cathédrale La Major is one of Marseille’s most striking landmarks — a grand 19th-century basilica that towers above the sea near the Old Port. Built in a bold Byzantine-Roman style with striped marble and elegant domes, it stands out beautifully against the Mediterranean backdrop. The interior is equally impressive, adorned with mosaics, marble columns, and vaulted ceilings that create a serene, m...