Marseille: The “Bonne Mère” will soon recover her golden crown
After more than a century and a half, the crown of the Virgin Mary statue atop the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde—known affectionately as the “Bonne Mère”—is about to regain its place on the city’s skyline.
The 150-kilogram crown, removed at the end of the summer for restoration, will be reinstalled on October 17 during an exceptional helicopter operation. The event marks a major milestone in the renovation project, scheduled for completion in December 2025.
According to basilica officials, the crown—refurbished by an artisan coppersmith from Aix-en-Provence and re-gilded by the Ateliers Gohard—will return to the sanctuary this week. The public will have a chance to admire it up close starting October 11, with live demonstrations of the gilding process taking place between October 13 and 15.
The spectacular heliporting operation, conducted by a Super Puma helicopter, will cause traffic restrictions around the site between 7 and 10 a.m. on October 17. Access to several nearby streets will be closed, and the basilica will open exceptionally late that day.
This final stage concludes the gilding phase, which saw more than 30,000 gold leaves applied to restore the basilica’s brilliance. The €2.8 million renovation, funded through over 40,000 donations, highlights the deep attachment of Marseille’s residents to their iconic landmark.
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