Church of Notre-Dame-des-Accoules, Marseille

The Notre-Dame-des-Accoules church, along with its bell tower, holds significant historical importance as a designated Historic Monument since July 7, 1964. It is the only remaining part of the medieval church, which was demolished in 1794. The ensemble also includes a Calvary erected in 1820 and a new church constructed between 1824 and 1826.

Legend has it that this church was erected on the ruins of the ancient temple of Minerva. The nuns from the Abbey of Saint-Sauveur in Marseille took over the site and became its rectresses in 1033. By 1060, the church was associated with the property of the monastery known as Sancta Maria ad Acuas, which was then linked to the Abbey of Saint-Victor. An inscription on a preserved column attests to the church's rebuilding in 1205.

During the turbulent times of 1793, the Accoules church served as a meeting place for a municipal section involved in a federalist insurrection against the Convention. Following the defeat of the federalists, representatives from the Bouches-du-Rhône department ordered the demolition of buildings that were used as their meeting places.

Despite the destruction of the rest of the significant Gothic structure, the bell tower survived due to its vital function of providing time for the port and city activities. The back wall of the old church also remains, displaying traces of the building's three naves.

In 1820, a crypt featuring the Holy Sepulcher surmounted by a rock calvary was added against the back wall of the old church. Additionally, the Place du Calvaire was created in front and enclosed by a gate.