Nice Cathedral, officially the Cathedral of Sainte-Marie et Sainte-Réparate, is the Baroque cathedral of Nice, standing on Place Rossetti in the narrow streets of Vieux Nice. Built between 1650 and 1699, it is easy to spot by its dome covered in glazed coloured tiles in the Genoese style. It is dedicated to Saint Reparata, a young martyr whose legend is tied to the name of the Baie des Anges.
Nice Cathedral at a glance
- Where: on Place Rossetti in Vieux Nice, the old town, between the Cours Saleya and the Castle Hill.
- Built: 1650 to 1699, when it was consecrated; the bell tower followed in 1731–1757 and the present façade in 1825–1830.
- By: the architect Jean-André Guibert, commissioned in 1649 by Bishop Didier Palletis.
- What it is today: the seat of the Catholic bishop of Nice and a working church, a minor basilica since 1949 and a listed historic monument since 1906.
- Time needed: 20 to 30 minutes inside, plus time on Place Rossetti.
From a chapel below the castle to the city's cathedral
For centuries Nice's cathedral stood up on the Castle Hill, inside the fortified upper town. Down below, a chapel dedicated to Saint Reparata was founded in the 11th century after relics of the saint were brought to Nice, and in the 13th century a church was built on land belonging to the Abbey of Saint-Pons; it became a parish church in 1246. As the Dukes of Savoy turned the hill into a fortress and people moved down to the lower town, the bishops' seat was gradually transferred to Sainte-Réparate, which was recognised as the cathedral in 1590.
By the mid-17th century the old church was too small, and in 1649 Bishop Didier Palletis commissioned Jean-André Guibert to build a new one. Modelled on the church of Santa Susanna in Rome, it has a Latin-cross plan with a dome over the crossing, and was consecrated in 1699. Later centuries added the bell tower, a new west front in 1825–1830 and two apses beside the choir around 1900–1903. The relics of Saint Reparata have been kept here since 1690.
What to look for
- The dome with its glazed coloured tiles in the Genoese style, best seen from the Castle Hill above the old town.
- The 18th-century bell tower, which stands beside the church and partly hides the dome from the square.
- The Baroque façade of 1825–1830 facing Place Rossetti, with statues in its niches.
- Inside, the ten side chapels, each once looked after by a different guild of the city.
- The high altar with the painting of the Glory of Saint Reparata, the saint to whom the cathedral is dedicated.
The legend of Saint Reparata and the Bay of Angels
Reparata was, according to tradition, a 15-year-old girl from Caesarea in Palestine, martyred for her faith in the 3rd century. Legend says her body was placed in a boat that drifted across the Mediterranean, guided by angels, until it came ashore in the bay of Nice. The story is often told as the origin of the name Baie des Anges, the Bay of Angels, the curve of sea along the Promenade des Anglais. It is a legend, not history, but it explains why this small saint has Nice's cathedral.
Tips for your visit
- Remember that it is a working church: dress modestly, keep your voice down and avoid visiting during Mass.
- Step back to the far side of Place Rossetti to see the façade and bell tower together.
- For the best view of the tiled dome, climb the Castle Hill and look down over the old town's roofs.
- Combine the visit with an ice cream on Place Rossetti and a walk to the Cours Saleya market.
Nearby
- Cours Saleya: the long market street of Old Nice, with flower and food stalls in the morning, a few minutes' walk south.
- Castle Hill (Colline du Château): the park on the site of the old upper town, with views over the bay and the old town's roofs.
- Palais Lascaris: a 17th-century noble house in Old Nice with painted ceilings and a collection of musical instruments.
- Promenade des Anglais: the seafront promenade along the Baie des Anges, just beyond the old town.
See Nice with World City Trail
Our Nice scavenger hunt turns the city into a game you play on your phone. The route takes around two hours, with about 35 minutes of walking, and leads you through the streets of the old town at your own pace.
If you prefer a different format, Nice also has a self-guided walking tour and an outdoor escape game.
Play the Nice scavenger hunt →
Take the self-guided walking tour of Nice →
Play the outdoor escape game in Nice →
Facts checked in October 2026.