Here it is! Notre-Dame de la Garde revealed after nearly a year’s restoration. To celebrate its new splendour, Marseille is throwing a spectacular party this Sunday , December 7. A sound and light event full of emotion and fervor to mark the inauguration of the restored Good Mother. Marseille Secrète tells you all about it!
A monumental collaboration for a rediscovered symbol
The Diocese of Marseille has pulled out all the stops to mark this long-awaited event. An XXL show born of collaboration with the Monumental Tourteams , renowned for their ability to magnify the most iconic buildings. On Sunday, the Basilica will be the setting for a spectacular musical and visual creation entitled “Elevation”. A show conceived as a vibrant tribute to the city’s most emblematic and beloved monument: the Good Mother.
Sound and light for the Good Mother
On the lighting side, dozens of spotlights will offer a choreography of light designed to follow the architectural lines of the basilica. The aim: to reveal the new-found radiance of the statue of the Virgin Mary, now visible at 360° and promising to shine out over the whole city.
In terms of sound, the event will be punctuated by a bold fusion of musical genres. DJ Michaël Canitrot – who already took part in the inauguration of Notre-Dame de Paris a year ago – will sign an original composition, skilfully blending electronic music, mainstream orchestrations and contemporary sounds. This work will be enriched by a modern reinterpretation of the emblematic Ave Maria, carried by the voice of Marseilles lyric singer Melody Louledjian. She will be accompanied by the Petits Chanteurs de la Major choir and the Chœur Phocéen, conducted by Rémy Littolff.
Inauguration of the redecorated Bonne Mère: the full program
The festivities are organized around a moment of sharing:
- 3:30 pm: Mass celebrated at Saint-Victor Abbey. Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline will preside.
- 4:30 pm: Rendezvous in Place Joseph-Étienne.
- 5:00 pm: Departure of the procession to Notre-Dame de la Garde.
- 6:00 pm: Blessing by the Cardinal. The grand sound and light show begins immediately afterwards!
The best vantage points for enjoying the show to the full
It’s going to be a great show, and you don’t want to miss a moment of it? Recommended vantage points areHôtel de Ville, Place du Colonel-Édon, Montée de l’Oratoire and the gardens of the Palais du Pharo. Be sure to take traffic restrictions into account.