NOTRE-DAME-DE-LA GARDE Home Page An Astonishing Architectural Style... ...And Astonishing Particularities Our Lady of the Guard in numbers "Our Good Mother" from all directions Let's go Inside... A story of abiding tenacity living Faith To Welcome You FORUM A few books

Astonishing particularities Let's go on with another original feature : the architect Espérandieu (Hope-in-God) who built this Catholic edifice, was a Protestant. Which provoked a little friction, since the 19th century was less oecumenical than nowadays. But the open-minded Catholics (heartily committed to the adventure of building the monument) won out over the less enthousiastic ones. Let's make our contribution to the original features by reproducing here a sonnet to the sailor's Blessed Virgin written during the first half of the 20th century. Blonde on her rocks crimson in the sun, Standing like a beacon on an island ridge There she is, solitary in the midst of the city, Alive, serene and pure, and always on the alert. Night comes over the port; a ship like some huge gem on the motionless bay, Shining brightly, and the gleaming wave makes her a bed of silver, pearl, ruby red. Rough and stern, a call rises through the huge shadow The boat, slow and heavy, goes out to sea... Protect it from the waves, oh you Mother of pilgrims ! Both the hopeful child, and the man in his prime who travels far and wide over the earth, keep them safe, oh you, the sailor's Blessed Virgin. (Maurice GUILLAUME,Edit.Grillon-Tacussel) We must add that the author of this fervent oratory was a non-believer firmly opposed to the Church.