Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bon-Voyage

Gazing at the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bon-Voyage, a sense of serenity washes over you. This chapel, nestled at the entrance to the Calanque de Port Miou in Cassis, holds a captivating history. Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bon-Voyage replaced an older Romanesque chapel. The original chapel, dating back to the 15th or 16th century, met its demise when its location became a quarry. Its successor, built around 1850, also fell into disrepair. Its roof collapsed, and it was plundered of its ex-votos, paintings, and furnishings. Around 1990, a joint effort by the city and an association led by General de Bressy restored Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bon-Voyage to its former glory. The chapel’s name, Notre-Dame de Bon-Voyage (Our Lady of Good Voyage), stems from sailors invoking its protection as they passed by. An intriguing tale surrounds the old chapel’s demolition. A Cassis resident, Mr. Autheman, documented the condemned structure. He witnessed a sunbeam linger unusually long on a specific spot on the exterior wall. The next day, workers unearthed an ancient alabaster statue of the Virgin and Child at that very spot. This statue, likely hidden during the French Revolution, is displayed on pilgrimage days. In 1720, Cassis was spared from a devastating plague. Grateful, the consuls established an annual pilgrimage “in perpetuity” on the first Sunday of July. This tradition continues to this day. Starting at 5 a.m., the procession departs from the parish church, follows the seaside, and arrives at the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bon-Voyage. An open-air mass begins when the first sunbeam graces the statue of Mary and the pilgrims. Originally Notre-Dame de Bon-Voyage, the chapel was renamed Notre-Dame de Santé (Our Lady of Health) because the plague didn’t strike. Inside, a single ex-voto hangs, created by Cassidian artist Michel Frosini. Commissioned by François Dumon, it commemorates his survival after falling overboard during a night race between Corsica and Toulon in 1994. The painting depicts the dramatic rescue and expresses gratitude to Our Lady of Good Voyage and the crew.