The Notre-Dame de la Nativité Cathedral

  • Historic site and monument
  • Religious heritage
  • Cathedral
Elevation : 325m
Place Clémenceau, 06140 Vence
Jewel of the city’s religious heritage, the Notre-Dame de la Nativité Cathedral, a classified historic landmark, built from the 11th century onwards, was the headquarters of the diocese of Vence.
Built on the site of a Roman temple, later a Carolingian church, it reflects with its architecture and furniture the incredible richness of Vence’s heritage. The interior is made up of five naves. You can see a Gallo-Roman sarcophagus from the fifth century, called “tombeau de Saint Véran”. On several columns and in the Saint Sacrement Chapel you can admire the magnificient Carolingian carved plaques with stunning tracery decors.

On the first floor you can admire a remarkable collection of wooden polychrome statues as well as the stalls (only open from July to September), an excellent example of wood sculptures in the 15th century in Provence.

On the left side of the entrance, is the Tour Saint Lamber dating from the 12th century. At the back, Place Godeau, former cemetery of the parish, offers an excellent view over the Romanesque chevetof the cathedral and its bell tower decorated with crenellations (13th century). Over the centuries the different buildings of the bishopric were attached to the cathedral.

A must-see : the Baptistery decorated with a mosaic by Marc Chagall (1979) representing Moses saved from the water. With this touching gift, the artist (who lived in Vence from 1950 to 1966) wanted to represent the joy of baptism.
Built on the site of a Roman temple, later a Carolingian church, it reflects with its architecture and furniture the incredible richness of Vence’s heritage. The interior is made up of five naves. You can see a Gallo-Roman sarcophagus from the fifth century, called “tombeau de Saint Véran”. On several columns and in the Saint Sacrement Chapel you can admire the magnificient Carolingian carved plaques with stunning tracery decors.

On the first floor you can admire a remarkable collection...

Services

Services

Car park
Animals accepted

Openings

Openings

Monday
11:00 - 18:00

Tuesday
11:00 - 18:00

Wednesday
11:00 - 18:00

Thursday
11:00 - 18:00

Friday
11:00 - 18:00

Saturday
11:00 - 18:00

Sunday
11:00 - 18:00

Open from 11am to 1pm and from 2:30pm to 6pm.

Location

Location

The Notre-Dame de la Nativité Cathedral
Elevation : 325m
Place Clémenceau, 06140 Vence

Spoken languages

Spoken languages
  • English
  • French

Environment

Environment
  • Town location
  • In centre of town
  • Pedestrian area
  • In the historic centre
Updated on 01 April 2025 at 17:04
by Office de Tourisme Métropolitain Nice Côte d'Azur
(Offer identifier : 4989480)