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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint Cannat, located Place des Prêchers in Marseilles, was founded in the sixteenth century by the Preachers Brothers, members of the Dominican order. His first stone was laid on 31 December 1526 by Bernardin des Baux, after the destruction of the original convent in 1524 for military reasons during the siege of the city by the imperial troops of Charles III of Bourbon. The context of its construction is part of a period of post-conflict reconstruction and strengthening of urban defences.

The Dominicans, driven out of their original location, obtained permission to build a new convent and an intramural church, receiving financial support from the Marseille notaries to speed up the work. The works were spread over nearly a century, and the church was consecrated only in 1619 by Barthélemy Camelin, bishop of Fréjus. The facade, made in 1739 in a late Baroque style by architect Joseph Gérard and sculptor Antoine Duparc, was partially destroyed in 1926 during the piercing of the Rue de la République, resulting in the loss of major elements such as the fronton of the Annunciation.

Inside the church, in Gothic style, houses artistic treasures such as the walnut pulpit of Albert Duparc (1689-1691), classified as a Historic Monument, or the polychrome marble high altar of Dominique Fossati (1755). The organ buffet by Jean-Esprit Isnard (1746), also classified, bears witness to the musical importance of the place. In the 19th century, the convent was demolished to give way to the post office in 1891, but the church survived.

In 1926 it was included in the inventory of historical monuments, recognizing its heritage value. Since 2008, it has hosted the Byzantine liturgy of the Romanian Orthodox metropolis, adding an ecumenical dimension to its history. The lateral chapels, formerly dedicated to corporations, house major works such as the paintings of Michel Serre or Pierre Parrocel.

Despite partial destruction and transformation, the church remains an exceptional testimony of Provencal Baroque art and Marseille religious history. Continuous restoration and preservation, including sculptures and stained glass windows, help maintain this place as a cultural and spiritual hub. Its organ, liturgical furniture and decor make it a must-see site for lovers of sacred art and Mediterranean history.

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