Nice Cathedral is one of France’s most impressive Roman Catholic churches. Explore the 10 separate chapels of the complex and examine the plentiful Baroque detail.
In addition to appreciating the beautiful architecture, reflect on the spirituality of the location. A church has stood on this site in some form since the 11th century. What you see today, though, mostly dates from the 17th century, with additions made throughout the intervening years. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Réperate, a Catholic martyr. Legends say that Réperate was a Palestinian girl who was beheaded in the 3rd century A.D. for refusing to give up her Christian faith.
Stand outside the cathedral and gaze up at the freestanding bell tower, which rises separate from the rest of the building. This is a later addition, built in the 18th century, but has a similar Baroque style. Spot the magnificent dome at the back of the building, decorated in pretty mosaics of green and gold.
As you enter and walk down the nave, look for statues of cherubs gazing down on you and one of the cathedral’s three organs, a spectacular Italian instrument, dating from 1901. The third altar to the left as you walk in is dedicated to Saint Réperate. It includes a magnificent painting, Martyrdom of the Saint by Hercule Trachel, and some supposed relics of the saint herself.
Next to Saint Réperate’s altar, find another altar, this one dedicated to the Four Crowned Martyrs. This refers to a group of anonymous Christians, who, like Réperate, were killed for not giving up their Christian faith.
As you walk around the cathedral, look for nine more altars, dedicated to various saints. Many contain beautiful paintings and supposed relics, while the Chapel of Pope John XXIII contains busts of several bishops. Look for the other two organs and the beautiful stained glass in the windows of the dome.
Admission to Nice Cathedral is free, and it is open daily. Take the Nice tramway to get to the cathedral and get off at the Cathédral-Old City stop.
