Overview

Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate Nice’s cathedral, is located in the heart of Vieux Nice (the old town). The cathedral is in a Baroque architectural style. As well as the high altar there are a many side chapels dedicated to different saints. The cathedral was completed in 1699 although there has been some later renovations.

Transport & Parking

Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate is in Place Rossetti. Most of Vieux Nice is pedestrianised with a maze of streets, and the cathedral can be a little tricky to find. For me I found the easiest way was to go to Rue de la Préfecture and walk along to Caves Caprioglio, a wine shop at no 16, see picture, directly opposite is a small pedestrianised street called Rue Sainte Reparate. Turn up this street and you will reach the cathedral in a couple of minutes. This route is flat and is good if you are approaching from the direction of the sea front.

Access

Entrances to the cathedral is step free. However the entrance doors are quite heavy. When I visited mass was just finishing and the central door was open making it very easy to get in and out. The nave, the main body of the cathedral is step free. The side chapels can be viewed but there is no public admission. The aisles are wide. The cathedral has traditional wooden pews to sit on. The cathedral is large and impressive, but it is not huge and it’s very manageable to go round.

Toilets

I didn’t notice any.

Staff

The priest was speaking to the parishioners as they were leaving the service, however, I didn’t speak to anyone.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Well worth visiting, if you like beautiful, historic buildings. It has free admission but would appriciate donations. St Reparate is the patron saint of Nice and the cathedral is dedicated to her. According to legend, she was a 15 year old Christian who was murdered for her faith in about 250AD. Her body was put in a boat and set adrift. Angels surrounded the boat and it arrived in Nice, hence the bay is called Baie des Anges. St Reparate’s chapel has the saint’s relics. In the cathedral square, Place Rossetti, there is a lovely ice cream stall called Fenocchio, selling ice cream and sorbets in a long list of flavours. It wasn’t open this time I visited, December 2018, due to the large nativity scene. In the summer months the square has alfresco dining and there is a lovely ambiance.

Photos