On Sunday December 21, 2025, witches the world over will celebrate the Yule Sabbath, the pagan Christmas festival that falls on the day of the winter solstice. If the days begin to lengthen again on December 21, Marseilles residents will be able to witness another spectacle offered by Helios: one of the most beautiful sunsets ever, perfectly complementing the city’s architecture. Marseille Secrète tells you more about this unique, not-to-be-missed event.
When architecture sublimates nature
Henri-Jacques Espérandieu shaped the face of some of Marseille’s most famous tourist attractions, including Notre-Dame de La Garde and the Cathédrale de la Major. Another emblematic work by this adopted Marseilles architect that interests us today:the gardens of the Palais Longchamp. At once a water tower to which the waters of the Marseille canal flow, a fine arts museum and a natural history museum, the Palais Longchamp was designed to celebrate the rebirth of the city of Marseille thanks to the arrival of the waters of the Durance.
This masterpiece of 19th-centuryarchitecture houses the Arc de Triomphe du Palais. Richly decorated, it frames the water tower at the center of the Palais. It is at this very spot that the spectacular solar alignment takes place. Far from being fortuitous, it was orchestrated by Henri-Jacques Espérandieu, who has bequeathed us the most beautiful sunset in the city of Marseille.
The winter solstice offers Marseille its finest sunset
A rendezvous for all sunset lovers, this phenomenon sublimates the architecture of the palace as much as it magnifies the winter solstice. Here, you can watch the sun take its final bow in perfect alignment with the columns of the Arc. As it passes through the skylight in the roof, it illuminates the rear of the monument for a moment of pure wonder. Prepare to have your eyes glisten with emotion at this magical moment of rare beauty.
To celebrate the winter solstice, the Observatoire de Marseille and the Andromede association are offering an astronomical and educational event. The public can watch the solstice suns et from the Christmas Village in the Palais Longchamp from 4:30pm. The experience continues at the Observatory, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, with a rich program. Participants can enjoy planetarium sessions and exciting mini-conferences. Small-group tours of the telescope and astronomers’ house are also planned. It’s a complete immersion in the mysteries of the Universe, with free access.