The Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-l’Immaculée-Conception in Antibes

Adjacent to the Grimaldi Castle and the Picasso Museum, the cathedral in Antibes is beautifully situated just a stone’s throw from the sea.

This magnificent neoclassical church is built on the remains of a Roman temple dedicated to Diana and Minerva. The cathedral has been destroyed several times over the years. The first time in 1124 after an attack by the Saracens and most recently in 1746 during the Austrian War of Succession. The cathedral was completely renovated in 1991 and today, with its beautiful facade and artistic interior, is a religious gem.

Inside, you can see a magnificent altarpiece painted in 1515, a marble statue of the Virgin from the 19th century, a 15th-century wooden Christ, and an organ made in 1860 by master Jungh, among many other things.

The altarpiece from 1515 is a masterpiece painted by the Provençal artist Louis Brea, representing the Virgin with the rosary. This is one of his last works, and he produced more than 40 altarpieces for the Nice region.

The central panel, depicting the Virgin protecting the church and the faithful with her cloak, is surrounded by eighteen smaller panels dedicated to the eighteen sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary.

The very beautiful doors are by the sculptor Joseph Dolle. They are adorned with Antibes’ two patron saints. The right door represents Saint Sebastian, the left door Saint Roch.

The wooden panel (cartouche) above the doors depicts the adoration of the Eucharist by two angels.

The organ dates from 1860 and was made by the master organist from Toulouse, De Jungh. It has since been modernized and restored and now has three keyboards and forty stops.

For several centuries, Antibes was a bishopric. From the 5th to the 13th century, about forty bishops succeeded each other until the diocese moved to Grasse in 1244 and later to Nice in 1801.

The first bishop was Saint Armentaire (442). He dedicated his brand new cathedral to the Virgin Mary.

By Tommy Sverre / 2020