Stroll through the narrow streets of Vieux Nice and discover the 13th-century Church of the Annunciation. Behind its sober façade, you’ll discover a wealth of Baroque ornamentation inside. Ready to discover one of the city’s oldest churches?
Here are some useful tips to help you plan your visit toSaint Rita’s Church in Nice.
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 St Rita’s worthwhile?
Yes, we think the Church of Saint Rita in Nice is well worth a visit. We were charmed by the calm and serenity of this church in Vieux Nice, also known as Église de l’Annonciation and listed as a Monument Historique since 1942.
This is one of the most beautiful churches in Nice, and we’ve listed it in our article on the best things to do in the city! Église Sainte-Rita has 6 side chapels inside, but we’ve only listed the ones that stood out for us in this article.
What you can see
A discreet façade
When you arrive, you’ll notice that the ochre-yellow facade is not particularly ornate. What’s more, the discreet entrance is via the small, pedestrian Poissonnerie alleyway in the old town. The simplicity of the façade reinforced our surprise when we entered. After undergoing successive restorations, it remains unfinished to this day.
As you pass through the doors of this place of worship, it’s a completely different scene! We were amazed by the natural luminosity and light provided by the decorative elements in the nave. The nave of the church is decorated in the Baroque style, characterized by rich materials and complex shapes. You’ll be amazed when you step inside! The frescoes in this nave are quite incredible. Have you noticed its rectangular shape?
The organ
Once you’re past the surprise of inner beauty, turn around and look up. You’ll catch a glimpse of the gallery organ and its case, which sits parallel to the semi-circular choir on the other side of the nave. Did you know that it was designed by Italian organ builder Lingiardi Luigi in the mid-19th century?
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The Chapel of Saint Erasmus
In Nice, Saint-Érasme (also known as Saint-Elme) protects sailors. The current Tour Bellanda in the Parc de la Colline du Château facing the Baie des Anges was formerly known as Tour Saint-Elme. If you look closely, elements of this chapel refer to navigational instruments, such as the anchor, the rudder and the oar at the top left of the vault. It also bears the saint’s motto Iras maris frangit, meaning “He breaks the wrath of the seas”. Finally, the central anonymous 17th-century canvas depicts Saint-Érasme himself.
The Annunciation
Facing the nave, the magnificent painting of The Annunciation is a must-see in this Old Nice church. It represents the biblical episode in the New Testament when the archangel Gabriel announces his divine maternity to the Virgin Mary. This painting, by Russian artist K.A. Chevelkine, was donated by Nice general Alexandre Michaud after the fire of 1834. He himself had received the painting from Imperial Russian Tsar Alexander I. We learned that since that date, the church has been named after the Annunciation.
The Chapel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Another remarkable chapel, the Chapel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, impressed us with its many symbols. The mid-19th-century painting by Cottolengo features the Archangel Gabriel, messenger of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary, the Virgin of the Immaculate Heart. in the guise of the woman of the Apocalypse, her heart pierced by a dagger. Other saints are symbolized: Saint Michael, Saint Alphonsus and Saint Teresa of Avila. If you look at the painting in detail, you’ll see the ships full of fishermen converging on the Virgin Mary at her feet.
The Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Another curiosity in this church dating from the Middle Ages is the sublime marble Chapel of the Madonna of Mount Carmel! We were speechless in the face of such beauty and refinement. This unique work of art depicts the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with the Infant Jesus. This 18th-century statue of the Virgin and Child is part of the decorative ensemble designed by Cornelano. The twists of the 2 marble columns surrounding this marvel invited us to look up to the sky. The chapel was full of poetry, and is undoubtedly our favorite.
The chapel dedicated to Saint Rita
Finally, we contemplated the chapel dedicated to Saint Rita. Patron saint of lost and desperate causes, Saint Rita lived in the 14th century.
The surprising choir surmounted by a half-dome
We didn’t know where to look anymore, so many ornaments, moldings and magnificent decorations to admire. Stand at the top of the semicircular choir above the Annunciation painting, as shown in the image. We were overwhelmed by the fine details at the ends of each column, each frieze meticulously crafted in sumptuous materials. All this to enhance the murals.
Sublime interior mouldings and ornamentation
Take the time to look at the detailed moldings, as seen here on this frieze at the entrance to one of the 6 side chapels. Little angels are carved in stone and surrounded by flowers. Can you see them? The structure of the building, the richness of the materials and the technicality of the forms, characteristic of the Baroque style, are similar to those of Sainte-Réparate Cathedral, just a stone’s throw away in the old town.
The Loggia under the porch, adjoining the former Carmelite Convent
When you arrived, you’ll have seen the statues on the porch, housed in the communal lodge dating back to 1574. Inherited from the Greek agora, the communal lodge was a place for public debate and exchanges of various agricultural and labor products. We also know that it was a meeting place for Nice’s nobility, notably for Carnival balls. This loggia adjoins the former Carmelite Convent, from which the clerics were expelled after the French Revolution.
WHERE TO STAY IN Nice
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
On the waterfront, with sea view:
Anantara Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
In the new town, close to the sea:
Hotel Apollinaire, elegant and bright – See prices, photos and availability
In the old town, with all the charm:
AparthotelAMMI Vieux Nice very practical and pleasant – see prices, photos and availability
Church of the Annunciation in Nice: how to get there
Where is the church?
- In Nice
- Nice-Ville train station = 10min by car and 30min on foot
- In the Old Nice district
- Less than a 5-minute walk from the Musée de la Photographie Charles Nègre
- Less than a 15-minute walk from Parc de la Colline du Château
Access by car and parking
The church is located in the Vieux Nice district, where most streets are pedestrianized. Access by car is reserved for local residents.
If you’re driving, we recommend parking at the Parking des Arts near the Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain de Nice (MAMAC). It’s a 10-minute walk from the church, with vehicle entrance at 18 Avenue Saint-Jean-Baptiste.
Public transport access
- Tramway line 1, stop Opéra-Vieille ville 10min walk away
- Tramway line 2, Garibaldi-Le Château stop a 20-minute walk away
- Bus line 8, Cathédrale-Vieille ville stop 15min walk away
Access on organized tours
As the Eglise Sainte-Rita is located in the heart of Nice, there are many ways to include it on your tour. Here is our selection:
- visit to the old town and Castle Hill – find out more
- Grand tour of Nice’s sights on a Segway – reserve your place
- guided tour of Old Nice and the Colline du Château – see program
- with a digital audioguide to explore Old Nice – see program and availability
- by Bus Hop-on Hop-off Nice Le Grand Tour – book your ticket
- private electric velotaxi tour – discover the activity
And don’t forget that Nice’s Petit Train Touristique makes a stop near the park (see details here).
Visiting difficulties
We did not identify any particular difficulties during our visit. There are no steps, the course can be walked on one level and the aisles are fairly wide. Please note that dogs are not allowed indoors.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
- Great kayak trips in:
Saint-Tropez to the Ramatuelle reserve
Cassis to the calanques - Helicopter flight from Cannes
- Shuttle service along the coast between Nice and Saint-Tropez
- Bike tours: eBike in Nice – Mountain biking in the Esterel massif
Visiting Saint Rita’s Church: useful tips
Schedules and prices
Schedules:
- Open all year round
- Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sundays 8am to 12pm and 3pm to 8:20pm
Access is free of charge.
See the latest news on the official website here.
How long
Allow 30min to 1h maximum to tour the church on the outside and its chapels on the inside.
Best moment
It’s one of the most beautiful places of worship in Nice, in a very busy district. Tourist numbers can be high all year round, especially in summer! If you prefer to avoid the crowds like we do, go on weekday mornings.
Direction of visit
There’s no set route to the church, but we recommend that you first admire its exterior and the alleyway in which it stands. Then enter to observe the architectural and decorative details of the nave. Walk between the chapels towards the altar and look up to see the organ and case.
Eating out
There’s no place to eat inside the monument. Note, however, that the church is just 2 steps from the famous Cour Saleya in the Vieux Nice district, where you’ll find some very good restaurants. And with the Parc de la Colline du Château less than a 15-minute walk away, why not treat yourself to a Provencal picnic? See the program and book
Finally, if you’re in the heart of Nice, take a look at our top places to eat in the Côte d’Azur capital!
Hotels
You’re right in the heart of Nice. See our article on the best hotels.
For a stay in a luxury setting, you can also consult our articles on:
- the best 5-star hotels in Nice
- the best hotels on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice
DISCOVER Nice
- Best things to do in Nice
- Where to stay in Nice: 15 best hotels
- Where to eat in Nice: 20 best restaurants
- The 12 best museums in Nice
- Best beaches
- Visit the Palais Lascaris
- Visit the MAMAC Museum
- Visit the Museum of Photography
- Itineraries: 1 day – 2 days – 3 days – 5 days – 7 days
- Rent a car in Nice (airport or train station)
- Most beautiful villages around Nice
