July 2025. In Marseille, a rare and symbolic event is capturing imaginations throughout the city: the complete restoration of the basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde, the spiritual and architectural icon known to locals as “La Bonne Mère.” The gilding of the statue of the Virgin and Child—never redone in over 35 years—is the centerpiece of this project.
Drone-Pictures had privileged access in July 2025 to provide an exclusive aerial documentation of the restoration, including footage of the statue surrounded by towering scaffolding and the basilica’s architectural details.
Vertical video filmed by drone during the restoration of the Bonne Mère
A last look before gilding (Mavic 4 Pro drone) – July 18, 2025
A Major Restoration Cycle: Every 30 to 50 Years
The restoration officially commenced on February 2, 2025—the symbolic feast of Candlemas—and is set to conclude on December 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. This marks the fifth gilding since the basilica’s 19th-century construction.
Why restore now? Gold leaf naturally degrades over time, especially under the influence of pollution and marine air. The new gilding is both aesthetic and protective.
Thanks to modern techniques, this 2025 restoration is designed to last up to 50 years, surpassing the previous 30-year lifespan.
The Statue: A Monument on the Heights of Marseille
The monumental statue measures 11.20 meters in height and weighs nearly 9 tonnes. Perched at 157 meters above sea level, it dominates the cityscape.
In early July, before the installation of the white thermosealed tarpaulin, Drone-Pictures captured rare footage of the statue exposed and encircled by scaffolding—bare, poignant, and majestic. Using a Mavic 4 Pro in 6K, the imagery offers a stunning visual testament to the statue’s scale and craftsmanship.
A Complex and Delicate Restoration
This restoration mobilizes a team of expert artisans—dorers, masons, metal workers, stone conservators—as well as rope-access technicians operating at height.
Scaffolding reaches close to 100 meters high, enabling artisans to apply 30,000 gold leaf sheets by hand.
In addition to the statue, the program covers:
restoration of the bell tower stonework,
repair of the internal metal framework,
consolidation of the stone angel statues,
cleaning and repointing of the campanile.
The overall restoration is budgeted at approximately €2.8 million, with about €1.4 million allocated to the gilding alone.
A Living Site During Restoration
Despite the scale of the works, the basilica remains open to the public throughout 2025. Visitors can still attend services and enjoy panoramic views, except during temporary closures of the upper terrace for safety during scaffold assembly.
Drone-Pictures at the Heart of the Project
Thanks to regulatory clearance and technical expertise in urban drone operations, Drone-Pictures flew over and around the basilica in July 2025 to capture:
6K aerial footage with the Mavic 4 Pro, offering ultra-sharp resolution,
Shots from multiple angles to fully appreciate the scaffolding’s volume and structure,
High-resolution aerial photographs documenting the visible stages of restoration.
These visuals are intended for heritage publications, documentaries, and digital archives, serving as a rare record of this transitional moment in the monument’s life.
A Testimony to Heritage and Time
This restoration is more than a technical feat—it’s a pivotal moment in the life of “La Bonne Mère.” Drone-Pictures’ images preserve that moment suspended in time: the Virgin of Marseille poised between sky and sea, ready to be reborn in gold.
Conclusion
This restoration of the “Bonne Mère” is not only a technical challenge — it’s a powerful moment for the people of Marseille and all lovers of heritage. Thanks to the footage captured by Drone-Pictures, we’ve preserved a rare and precious memory: the moment when the Virgin of Notre-Dame de la Garde, suspended between sea and sky, prepares to shine once again in gold.
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Video of the repositioning of the crown of the Virgin Mary, Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, Marseille (October 17, 2025)
