Chapelle Notre Dame de Miséricorde dite Notre Dame des Marins

This 17th century chapel dedicated to the Virgin was of particular importance for sailors returning to port.
Standing as a benevolent sentinel overlooking Martigues and the Étang de Berre, the Chapel of Notre-Dame des Marins (built in 1613) sits atop a lush green promontory at an elevation of over 107 meters. A site of great historical and maritime significance—and a listed Historic Monument—this iconic building has for centuries embodied the devotion of fishermen and local residents to the Virgin Mary, their protector against the perils of the sea.

Fully renovated and accessible to people with reduced mobility, the site invites you to enjoy a unique, idyllic interlude: stroll along the walking paths and marvel at the 360° panorama, aided by the orientation tables installed on the promontory.

Its construction:
Local materials used: Urgonian limestone, Burdigalian shelly limestone, and puddingstone pebbles. The surrounding hill, formerly an agricultural area (vineyards, olive groves), is now primarily covered with Aleppo pines.

Its history:
Fishermen used to offer votive offerings here when they survived a storm. Guardian of the city, the votive offerings and the statue of the Virgin are exhibited at the Ziem museum.
The panorama over the city, the Etang de Berre, to the peaks of Sainte-Victoire is magnificent.

The name of the bell is Césarie, with mention of the names of Gaby Charroux, deputy mayor of Martigues and Benoît Delabre, parish priest.
On the bell is engraved the words: "Salve Regina Mater Misericordiae, ora pro Martiguensis Deum." A drawing of a Virgin of Mercy (mantle) is also shown.

The story goes that on February 8, 1794, General Bonaparte (who became Napoleon I, the Emperor of the French) was in Martigues to discuss the future possibilities of Fort Vauban. He went to the top of the hill of Notre Dame des Marins in order to have a complete panorama of the area extending from the pond to the Mediterranean Sea. It would thus have highlighted the strategic position of Martigues.