The Accoules in Marseille : church and climb

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Located in Marseille’s 2nd arrondissement, the Church of Les Accoules – one of the city’s oldest churches – stands in the heart of the historic Panier district, a stone’s throw from the Vieille Charité. At its foot, the picturesque Montée des Accoules links Place de Lenche with Place Daviel and offers one of the finest views of the church’s bell tower, an emblem of old Marseille.

The Church of Notre-Dame-des-Accoules

The Church of Les Accoules is one of the oldest religious buildings in Marseille. Founded in the 11th century, it was rebuilt in the 13th century before being almost entirely destroyed during the French Revolution in 1794. Only its bell tower was spared. The church was subsequently rebuilt in the 19th century and regained its place at the heart of the Panier district. Its famous octagonal bell tower stands on the site of the former Sauveterre tower, which was once used to sound the alarm in the event of a fire or attack and to summon the City Council. It is one of the oldest surviving structures in Marseille. Its spire has been listed in the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments since 1964.

The present church, built in the 19th century on the site of the medieval building, is distinguished by its central plan and its courtyard with its unique décor, imbued with religious symbols. On the right, the Calvary Chapel forms an elegant rotunda topped by a dome dating from the early 19th century. Further on, crypts open onto a series of artificial rocks evoking the grotto at Lourdes. This layout recalls the tradition of the Grotto of Mary Magdalene, whilst the whole complex is dominated by a Calvary, a Christian monument surmounted by a cross.

The Accoules Climb: picturesque and popular with tourists

The Montée des Accoules connects Place de Lenche with Place Daviel in Marseille. Formerly known as the “Montée de l’Observatoire”, it takes its name from the Jesuits, who owned a building at the top of this street called the “Maison de Sainte-Croix”, inside which they established an observatory in 1702. The observatory was run successively by Father Laval and, from 1729, by Father Esprit Pézenas.

Within this building, Oriental languages were taught, hence its name “Collège des Quatre Langues”. Following the expulsion of the Jesuits, the establishment became the Royal Naval Observatory, under the direction of Guillaume de Saint-Jacques de Silvabelle, a French mathematician and astronomer.

The very picturesque Montée des Accoules, with its steps near Place Daviel, offers a magnificent view of the bell tower of the Church of Les Accoules. Several painters have depicted it in their works.

Le Préau des Accoules, a children’s museum

Housed in part of Marseille’s former observatory, the Préau des Accoules is a venue dedicated to raising awareness of the arts and heritage, aimed primarily at children. Established in 1992, this museum – thanks to a skilled team of enthusiasts – organises engaging exhibitions that take an original approach to works of art. Numerous events are held there throughout the year. Focusing mainly on exploring the rich heritage of Marseille’s museums, the programme covers a variety of themes such as archaeology, regional heritage, history, photography, African and American culture, fine art and contemporary art…

Exploring the Panier district

In the heart of Marseille’s 2nd arrondissement, the Montée des Accoules also offers the chance to explore the Panier district, one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods and the last remaining vestige of medieval Marseille. With its colourful, leafy alleyways, the Panier offers a glimpse of authentic Marseille, perfect for visitors on holiday in the region.

Spend a morning or an afternoon strolling through the picturesque streets, discoveringdesigners’ and craftspeople’s workshops, as well as bars and restaurants where you can savour the region’s culinary specialities (bouillabaisse, navettes, pastis, rosé…). You can also visit the Vieille Charité, a marvel of 17th-century architecture listed as a historic monument.

Explore the Panier district

with Marseille Experience