Baroque cathedral in old Nice
Right at the heart of Old Nice, and about a 5-minute stroll from the waterfront, you’ll find Nice Cathedral (Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate on Sundays, if you please). Head towards it unsuspectingly and, all of a sudden, you’ll realise you’re looking at a church. It rises flamboyantly out of the alleyways snaking around the lively Place Rossetti.
Built in the 1600s, it’s a fine example of Baroque architecture, with its gilding, bright yellows and greens, and luxurious classical façade. The complimentary shades help the church blend into the colour palate of the surrounding buildings.
Sainte-Réparate herself was a young Christian martyr from Palestine whose body, according to legend, was carried to the shores of Nice by angels. The cathedral has been her home since the 1600s, and her feast day on 8 October is still celebrated with some ceremony in the old town.
Inside, there’s no mistaking the temple to Christianity and to Baroque design. Swooping barrel vaults. False, richly decorated Corinthian columns that trick the eye. Gilded coffering and elegant stained glass. Grand, religiously themed paintings adorn the side chapels. Light and shadow interplay, enhancing a sense of drama.
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