Notre Dame de la Garde Chapel

Notre Dame de la Garde chapel is at the top of a small hill in the south east of la Ciotat.

It was built in the beginning of the 17th century (1610) by the blue penitents, and has many ex-votos (small paintings) inside from sailors and fishermen who were grateful to the Virgin Mary (for instance if they were rescued from sinking or if they got a good catch). You can get there after crossing a white housing estate, or by a small path from the entrance. Behind the chapel, a small stairway allows to climb to the top of the hill, and enjoy a clear overview of la Ciotat and the Bec de l’Aigle on one side, and the Riou archipelago on the other side. From there, you can barely see the calanque de Figuerolles, but there is a small path down the chapel that will take you to a beautiful viewpoint on the calanque.

How to get there

  • Route: 400 meters walk (15 minutes) by following the small path from the entrance of the housing estate.
  • Hours: The chapel is open every afternoon except on Sundays and holidays. Every year there is a pilgrimage on the 8th of December.