Why is Saint-Victor Abbey famous?

Saint-Victor Abbey is one of the oldest monuments in Marseille. Founded in the 5th century, it is a key site in the city’s religious history and houses exceptional early Christian remains, including its famous crypts and numerous sarcophagi.

Where is Saint-Victor Abbey in Marseille?

Saint-Victor Abbey is situated on the southern shore of the Vieux-Port, in Marseille’s 7th arrondissement. It is just a few minutes’ walk from the Vieux-Port and offers a beautiful view of the harbour and Fort Saint-Nicolas.

Why do the people of Marseille come to Saint-Victor Abbey for Candlemas?

Every year on 2 February, Saint-Victor Abbey hosts the traditional Candlemas celebration. A procession winds its way from the Old Port to the abbey, where the Black Madonna is presented to the faithful before the blessing of Marseille’s famous navettes, a tradition that is emblematic of the city.

Can we visit the crypts at Saint-Victor Abbey?

Yes, the crypts at Saint-Victor Abbey are open to visitors. They offer a chance to explore the remains of the ancient basilica, the ancient quarry and several sarcophagi dating from the early centuries of Christianity.

A Monument of Marseille's Historya few steps away from the 'Vieux-Port'

The Abbey of Saint-Victor

Saint-Victor Abbey is one of Marseille’s oldest monuments. A visit to this former abbey and its crypts immerses you in the heart of the city’s religious history, whilst offering a magnificent panoramic view of the Old Port. A true landmark in the Marseille skyline, it has stood the test of time and shaped the city’s history. With its crypts, chapels and sarcophagi, Saint-Victor Abbey stands as a remarkable testament to early Christian art. Situated on the southern shore of the Old Port, this fortified church harbours numerous treasures that will delight enthusiasts of heritage, culture and history.

The founding of the abbey

Saint-Victor Abbey was founded in the 5th century by John Cassian, with the support of Proculus, Bishop of Marseille between 380 and 430. An anchorite – that is to say, a monk who had withdrawn from society – Jean Cassien is regarded as one of the pioneers of monastic life in Marseille.

A place of worship then developed on the site of the present-day abbey, centred around a venerated tomb. According to tradition, it is said to house the relics of Saint Victor, a 4th-century martyr from Marseille, after whom the abbey is named.

Did you know?

Every year on Candlemas Day, a major pilgrimage takes place in Saint-Victor. On the morning of 2 February, a procession sets off from the Old Port towards Saint-Victor Abbey along Rue Sainte. The Black Madonna, kept in the crypts, is draped in her green cloak and presented to the crowd; the archbishop blesses her, blesses the city as well, and celebrates Mass. He then proceeds to the Four des Navettes, where he blesses the small boat-shaped biscuits typical of Marseille.

Find out more about the shuttle buses in Marseille

A bit of history

In ancient times, the site of the present-day Abbaye Saint-Victor was occupied by an open-cast quarry. The blocks of stone extracted from it were used, in particular, for the construction of the ancient port of Marseille.

Situated outside the city walls, this quarry soon became the site of a necropolis. At that time, Marseille occupied only the northern shore of the Vieux-Port, and burials were prohibited within the city walls. Several necropolises were thus established outside the city walls, including that of Saint-Victor.

It was in this quarry that the body of the Christian martyr Victor was laid to rest. A Roman soldier, he refused to sacrifice to idols. During the persecutions, he was quartered, crushed under a millstone and then thrown into the Old Port.

Very soon, a pilgrimage developed around his tomb. Many people of Marseille then wished to be buried alongside him, as Saint Victor was regarded by the early Christians as an intercessor who could help them attain salvation more quickly and easily.

In the 5th century, a basilica was built on this site. The areas now incorrectly referred to as ‘the crypts of Saint Victor’ are in fact the exceptional remains of this basilica and the ancient quarry.

In particular, you can see an impressive accumulation of sarcophagi, stacked up to seven levels high. Some have never been opened and are valuable examples of Christian art from the 4th and 5th centuries.

In the 11th century, Abbot Isarn began construction of the upper church and erected a tower which would become a landmark in the landscape for the people of Marseille, signifying the presence of the Basilica. From the late 12th century through to the 13th century, the abbey was completely rebuilt in accordance with the principles of Romanesque architecture. It was constructed on top of the small 5th-century basilica. The monastery was subsequently fortified by Urban V (Pope in Avignon and former abbot of St Victor) and the complex was incorporated into the port’s defences.

Abandoned during the Revolution and later restored in the 19th century, St Victor’s Abbey is today – after the Louvre and the Museum of Ancient Arles – a veritable treasure trove of early Christian art, to be explored through its numerous sarcophagi.

Practical information

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3 Rue De l'Abbaye, Marseille 7ème

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