Marseille Cathedral

The old cathedral, which was constructed in the 12th century in a modest Romanesque style, still stands partially intact beside the newer cathedral. The 19th century brought about an eclectic style to the building's design. When the new cathedral was erected in the 1850s, two bays of the nave were destroyed. What remains today is the choir and a single bay of the nave, referred to as the "Vieille Major". The composer Charles Desmazures once served as the organist for the old cathedral.

The "Nouvelle Major" is the current cathedral that was constructed in the Byzantine and Roman Revival styles on a massive scale. Emperor Napoleon III laid the foundation stone in 1852, and the inaugural service was held in 1893. It was officially completed in 1896 and consecrated in 1897, acquiring the title of minor basilica. The cathedral was erected on the site that has been used for Marseille's cathedrals since the fifth century. The architects Léon Vaudoyer and Henri-Jacques Espérandieu (1829-1874) were primarily responsible for its construction. The cathedral is 142 meters (469 ft) long, and the primary dome is 70 meters (231 ft) high. It has a seating capacity of 3,000 and is one of the largest cathedrals in France. Since 1906, it has been designated as a listed monument.