Drone-Pictures completed the full 3D drone modeling of the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, an iconic monument of Marseille’s heritage and French religious architecture.
This project relies on drone photogrammetry technologies to create a high-precision digital twin of the monument, including for the first time the complete 3D modeling of the recently re-gilded statue of the Virgin and Child located at the top of the bell tower.
A First: The Digital Twin of the Re-gilded Bonne Mère Statue
This modeling provides a unique digital reference of the statue after the latest restoration works.
Thanks to very high-definition aerial capture, it is now possible to:
visually inspect the statue and bell tower,
observe details invisible from the ground,
precisely document the surface condition,
and preserve a reliable digital record for future heritage monitoring.
Drone photogrammetry becomes here a strategic tool for the conservation of architectural heritage.
At Drone-Pictures, we apply our over 15 years of expertise in aerial drone imaging and technical imaging to support companies, local authorities, and engineering firms in photogrammetry missions — from data capture to processing and delivery of exploitable results.
To achieve this, we are equipped with state-of-the-art drones compliant with the new European regulations, such as the Matrice 4E RTK, Mavic 4 Pro, and Inspire 3.
The Making-Of Video of an Extraordinary Mission
Let’s see how we created the digital twin of a monument as emblematic as Notre-Dame de la Garde in Marseille. In this Making-Of video, we take you behind the scenes of the 3D drone photogrammetry modeling.
We show, step by step, the full process that made this result possible: from high-precision aerial capture by drones, through processing of the 2,463 photos, to 3D modeling and exporting 4K video animations.
3D exploration of the Statue of the Good Mother, regilded in 2025 (soon)
Here is a small part of the interactive 3D model that we are allowed to share. This allows you to freely navigate around the statue of the Virgin and Child, renovated in December 2025, with a level of detail that is inaccessible from the ground. The ideal way to do this is with a touchscreen tablet, for intuitive 3D exploration.
The Matrice 4E RTK drone captured 1,240 photos solely around the bell tower and statue. Be sure to zoom in and take a close look at the remarkable work of the Compagnons who did such a fine job of restoring and renovating the statue!
Try to you find the manufacture date at the feet of the Virgin Mary?
Please note that we only publish the upper part of the bell tower and the statue. Access to the complete 3D model of the entire basilica is subject to prior approval from the Notre-Dame de la Garde sanctuary.
Drone Photo Capture in Marseille
Flights were conducted before the site opened to the public, in order to ensure safety, stability, and high-quality data acquisition.
Two professional drones were deployed with automated flight plans, each dedicated to a specific mission:
🔹 Drones Used
DJI Matrice 4E RTK
→ Precision scanning of the bell tower and the re-gilded statue
DJI Mavic 4 Pro
→ Full grid coverage of the entire basilica
🔹 Flight and Acquisition Parameters
Flight and Acquisition Parameters
Camera titled at 65°
80% image overlap
14,000 m² total surface covered
50 minutes total flight time
2,463 images
Image resolution: 20 megapixels
🎯 Objective: create a faithful and fully usable digital twin of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde.
🧩 3D Modeling by Photogrammetry
Once the aerial image capture was completed, the data was processed using professional photogrammetry software in order to reconstruct a high-precision 3D model of the monument.
🔹 3D reconstruction steps
- Importing 2,463 photos into photogrammetry software
- Automatic image analysis and alignment
- Generating a dense point cloud
- Creation of the textured 3D model
- Cleaning of unwanted facets
- Definition of the area of interest for smooth 3D navigation
This process produces an extremely accurate model, suitable for technical and heritage applications.
📦 Export of 3D Deliverables
The 3D model is exported in formats tailored to professional needs:
🔹 Main Available Formats
Wavefront OBJ ; 3DS ; Stanford PLY ; X3D ; STL
Autodesk FBX ; DXF Polyline ; DXF 3DFace
OpenSceneGraph Binary (*.osgb) ; Binary gITF ; U3D models ; LandXML
🔹 High-Resolution Model
File size: 3 GB
24 million faces
360 million points
For web distribution (e.g., Sketchfab opposite), the model is:
Decimated to reduce geometry weight,
Exported as .OBJ < 100 MB, while maintaining good visual clarity.
🌐 Sharing and Distribution of the Digital Twin
🔹 Public Distribution
Sketchfab: simple navigation, but intentionally limited resolution
🔹 Professional Photogrammetry Platform
Via a simple link (computer, tablet, or smartphone), it is possible to:
Navigate in 2D and 3D with high-quality rendering,
Perform precise measurements,
Calculate surface areas,
Download the original photo corresponding to a specific point on the model.
🎥 4K Video Animation from the 3D Model
The digital twin also enables the creation of 4K video animations:
Total freedom of camera movement
Unlimited choice of focal lengths, speeds, and angles
Visualizations impossible to achieve under real-world conditions
🔹 Animation Workflow
Placement of keyframes on the 3D model
Testing and adjustment of the camera path
Video export in HD or 4K – 50 fps
Example of a video exported in 4K from the Metashape software used to calculate the 3D model of Notre-Dame de la Garde. An infinite number of variations in paths, plane values, and speeds are possible.
🚀 Drone Photogrammetry in Marseille
We support professionals with their drone photogrammetry needs:
Creation of digital twins and 3D modeling
Orthophotography
Mapping
Topographic surveys
Volume and earthwork calculations
FAQs 3D Modeling and Photogrammetry
Some answers for public authorities, architects, heritage managers, consulting firms, etc.
Why use drone photogrammetry for heritage sites?
Drone photogrammetry allows the creation of an extremely precise digital twin of a monument, without physical contact or heavy equipment.
It is especially suited to historic monuments, hard-to-access zones, and sensitive structures, while respecting the integrity of the heritage.
How is 3D modeling by drone useful after restoration work?
3D modeling enables you to:
document the exact condition of the monument after intervention,
preserve a reference digital record,
facilitate future inspections,
compare the evolution of the structure over time.
In the case of Notre-Dame de la Garde, the digital twin allows detailed inspection of the re-gilded statue and bell tower without scaffolding.
Can a statue or bell tower be inspected without scaffolding?
Absolutely! With drone photogrammetry, it is possible to observe:
cracks,
surface defects,
the condition of materials,
decorative details,
with a level of precision unreachable from the ground, significantly reducing costs and logistical constraints.
What deliverables are provided to municipalities and architects?
Deliverables can include:
3D models (.OBJ),
point clouds (.LAS),
orthophotos (.TIFF),
HD or 4K video animations,
access to a 2D/3D visualization platform with measurement and calculation tools.
These formats are adapted to the needs of heritage architects, engineering offices, and public authorities.
Is 3D drone modeling suitable for urban centers like Marseille?
This must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Missions are prepared with automated flight plans in compliance with drone regulations, and can be carried out before public opening, as was done for Notre-Dame de la Garde.
Marseille, with its dense and complex heritage, is an ideal environment for urban drone photogrammetry, though there are constraints that must be considered.
Who can use a heritage digital twin?
A digital twin can be used by:
local authorities,
heritage architects,
project owners,
engineering offices,
technical services,
managers of historic monuments.
It becomes a central tool for decision-making, monitoring, and communication.
Can't find the answer to your question?
8K video clip of Notre-Dame de la Garde, filmed on December 9, 2025, with our Inspire 3
The Bonne Mère re-gilded (8K video)
Drone-Pictures has completed an exceptional aerial mission: the 8.1K drone capture of the freshly regilded Virgin and Child statue at Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde in Marseille.
After 10 months of restoration work, La Bonne Mère is shining once again.
We were honored to be the first to film this spectacular result, using our Inspire 3 drone equipped with Prime lenses, just few days after the official inauguration.
This 8K video clip reveals a glimpse of these unique images, captured alongside Marseille-based photographer Jérôme Cabanel, as part of the documentation of this iconic heritage restoration.
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With Drone Pictures, you call upon a civilian drone operator, established since 2011 in Marseille, guaranteeing a high quality creative work.
Our video productions and audiovisual services by drone, as well as our numerous clients, attest to our seriousness and our enthusiasm to always serve you better!