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 The history starts with "Roman guard" who supervised the sea.

In 1214 Guillaume d' Aligno abbot of Victor Saint, authorize a certain Master Pierre, a priest of Accoules, to build a vault on the hill of the Guard, property of its abbey, as the small one testifies some cartulaire of Saint-Victor. At that time Marseilles, which counts 65 000 inhabitants, comes to free itself from the yoke from the Viscounts from Provence. It is free and independent. Under the reign of freedom and legality, the citizens of the commune of Marseilles know other distinctions only those which the virtues and the talent confer.

In 1218 the vault of Our-Lady of the Guard is built. Nothing of this building is known which one supposes that dimensions were restricted with that of simple oratory. The two oratories, visible today, were built into 1391, were destroyed under the Revolution, they were rebuilt in 1923 and were restored since.
In 1423, it November 23, after a seat, Marseilles is put at bag by the soldiers of King d' Aragon and the small vault of N.D of the destroyed Guard.
Under the reign of " Good King Rene ", in 1447, René d'Anjou give again in Marseilles its size, and the vault of ND of the Guard was rebuilt. This building more significant than the small oratory was completed into 1477.

In 1525 François ler decide the construction of Strong Our-Lady Guard, construction which brought the deep transformation into a third building to the fuller proportions, which was devoted into 1544 and was to remain until the construction of the current basilica. It was the beginning of the military presence on the hill of ND of the Guard. When the top of the hill is looked at, it is the fort which draws the attention. Vault, only the small bell-tower appears above the walls. The vault is opened with the public and one reaches it by a drawbridge. This sanctuary became one of the most significant Marseillais priories of the Abbey of St-Victor. Thus year by year the Marseillais will dedicate, with the Virgin of Our-Lady of the Guard, a devotion very particular. The large ones processions are celebrated on the hill and of many masses known as all days.