Visiting Old Antibes? Don’t miss the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Located next to the Picasso Museum, its colorful facade caught our eye. We were pleasantly surprised by the remarkable furnishings we found inside. We were particularly impressed by the recumbent statue of Christ.
Here are our practical tips for planning your visit to Antibes Cathedral.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is a visit to the Cathedral of Notre Dame de l’immaculée Conception worthwhile?
Absolutely! Built a stone’s throw from the sea on the remains of a Roman temple dedicated to the goddesses Diana and Minerva, it was destroyed and altered over the centuries, until its complete renovation in 1991. Listed as a historic monument, it boasts a particularly rich array of furnishings. Located next to the Picasso Museum, it would be a shame to miss out!
This is one of the best places to visit in Antibes.
What you can see
A colorful façade
With its orange and red tones, set off by white cornices and pilasters, the cathedral’s façade was a real eye-catcher. In very poor condition, it was completely reworked during the restoration of the monument, so this composition cannot be considered Baroque or Classical.
A beautiful 18th-century door
As we entered the building, we took time to admire its beautiful carved wooden door. It was built in 1710 by Joseph Dolle, a master carpenter based in Antibes. The figures of the pilgrim Saint-Roch and the Roman martyr Saint-Sébastien are depicted. They are both protectors of the city of Antibes.
A massive 19th-century organ
As we strolled through the nave, it occurred to us to turn around and admire the cathedral’s organ. This massive structure was built in 1860 by Master Jungh. Can you distinguish its decorative elements?
Remarkable altars
The cathedral is home to a number of listed altars. They contain statues and altarpieces, also listed. Our favorite was the altar and altarpiece of Sainte-Réparate. Although two statues were covered, we were able to admire the reliquary bust of Saint Justa of Seville, in polychrome plaster, set against a spectacular background of carved and gilded wood.
Altarpiece of the Virgin of the Rosary, 16th century
The building is also known for its altarpiece of the Virgin of the Rosary. It was painted around 1513 by the Italian painter Louis Bréa, who was very active in Nice. Take your time to admire it, as there are very few surviving representations of this type in their entirety. Below the altarpiece, you’ll find an explanatory panel to help you understand all the scenes that make it up.
A large baptistery
We were impressed by this egg-shaped baptistery, dating from 1722 and listed as a historic monument. The lid is in bronze, while the foot is in solid marble. We’d never seen a baptistery quite like it!
The recumbent statue of the Dead Christ
You can’t leave the cathedral without seeing this recumbent statue of Christ the Dead, in polychrome limewood. It dates back to the 17th century and was found in 1938 during work on a wall to the right of the choir! It is also a listed historic monument.
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in Provence a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
If you wish to be informed of the publication of our guide on Provence, subscribe:
Notre-Dame de l’Immaculée Conception Cathedral, Antibes: how to get there
Where is the cathedral?
- The cathedral is located on rue Saint-Esprit, in the Old Antibes district.
- It’s a 5-minute walk from the city center, 10 minutes from the port.
Access by car and parking
Parking is difficult in the vicinity of the cathedral, which is located in the old town. We recommend parking in a pay parking lot. Q-Park Pré aux Pécheurs and Q-Park La Poste are a 10-minute walk away.
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Public transport access
The cathedral is close to many bus routes. A 10-minute walk takes you to the “Place Guynemer” stop, served by lines 5, 7, 10, 14 and 16. We recommend that you consult the transport network map on the official website here.
Visiting difficulties
The tour is not particularly difficult. However, there are no special facilities for people with reduced mobility.
Practical tips for visiting the Cathedral Notre Dame de l’immaculée Conception
Schedules and prices
This building is freely accessible. It is open daily from 8am to 12pm and from 3pm to 7pm. However, we advise against choosing opening and closing times, as well as Sundays, due to religious services. To find out more about mass times, visit the official website here.
How long
Allow around 30 minutes to admire this monument and its furnishings.
Best moment
We advise you to visit in the morning to minimize the number of visitors, especially during the summer months. As the cathedral is located next to one of Antibes’ main tourist attractions, the Musée Picasso, it can get quite crowded.
Direction of visit
There’s no direction of travel. We recommend that you follow this tour with a visit to the Musée Picasso.
Eating out
Numerous restaurants are located close to the cathedral. To find out which one to choose, read our article on the best restaurants to eat in Antibes!
Hotels
Antibes is an ideal place to spend the night, close to Cannes and Nice. Here are our recommendations for your stay:
WHERE TO STAY IN Antibes
Option 1: near the ramparts
Close to the ramparts, to enjoy the charm of the old town and all the restaurants.
Hôtel la Villa Port – See prices, photos and availability
On the beach side (Ponteil and Salis) with views of the ramparts and mountains.
Hôtel La Jabotte – See prices, photos and availability
In Juan-les-Pins, in the heart of the peninsula.
Hôtel La Villa Cap d’Antibes – See prices, photos and availability
