Visiting the capital of the Côte d’Azur? Don’t miss a visit to Nice’s Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas, an architectural gem from the early 20th century. It is one of the most important Russian Orthodox religious buildings outside Russia.
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to Saint-Nicolas Cathedral in Nice on the French Riviera.
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 Nice’s Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas worthwhile?
Yes, Nice’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas is well worth a visit.
It’s one of the most beautiful religious buildings in Nice, and one of the most important outside Russia for people of the Orthodox faith. In fact, we’ve listed it in our article on the best things to do in Nice.
What you can see
Traditional Russian architecture
The jewel of the Thiers and Cimiez districts on Avenue Nicolas II, this is one of the largest buildings erected outside the Russian Orthodox world. It absolutely must be on your list! Its Belle Époque style, colors and stained glass windows make it one of France’s most beautiful Russian churches, classified as a historic monument. We were truly transported by so much beauty and exoticism in the middle of Nice. The buildings and furnishings are classified as “Monument Historique”.
At the top, emerald bulbs topped with gold
Walking along Nicholas II Avenue, you’ll immediately recognize the emerald-colored, gold-capped bulbs atop this fairytale cathedral. We were fascinated by the details of traditional Russian architecture: moldings, friezes, stained glass windows, motifs, colors both inside and out.
Rich decoration inside and out
It is inspired by the style of Moscow churches; see the image below for some exterior ornamentation. The interior is also richly decorated, with numerous icons, frescoes, carved woodwork and an iconostasis in embossed and chased metal.
The highlight of the interior: the iconostasis
Once inside, you’ll see the iconostasis, a partition decorated with icons, which separates the nave from the sanctuary, characteristic of cathedrals in Russia. We weren’t able to photograph the iconostasis, as it’s forbidden to take photos inside the cathedral.
At the rear, the green garden
Behind this sublime cathedral, a beautiful green garden dominated by a marble bust of the Grand Duke Nicolas Alexandrovitch of Russia, also known as the Tsarevitch, who died in Nice in 1865. This imposing building is listed as a historic monument.
You’ll meet little rabbits strolling across the greenery and between the palm trees under the azure blue sky.
Saint-Nicolas Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Nice: how to get there
Where to find the cathedral
- In the Cimiez / Thiers district of Nice
- From Nice-Ville SNCF train station, less than 20 minutes on foot
Check the location: the Russian Orthodox Cathedral is on avenue Nicolas II in Nice’s Thiers district, 10 minutes from the “Alsace-Lorraine” streetcar stop. Not to be confused with the Église Saint-Nicolas et Sainte-Alexandra on Rue Longchamp in Nice.
Here’s a map to help you locate the main attractions in Nice. The Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice is chip number 11:
Access by car and parking
Traffic is fairly heavy in Nice, and some roads can be saturated, especially at peak times. If you’re lucky, you’ll find paid parking around the cathedral, but parking can be tricky.
The nearest parking lot is Parking I Nice, located on rue de France, about 20 minutes’ walk from the site.
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- 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
To reach the cathedral by public transport:
- Alsace-Lorraine” tramway stop on line 2 less than 10 minutes’ walk away
- Several bus routes bring you close to the site, and you can find out more on the city’s official public transport website here.
Access on organized tours
Nice’s Saint-Nicolas Cathedral is one of the must-see sites in Nice. You can choose to go there on your own, but note that the explanatory signs are all in Russian. We therefore strongly recommend including it in a guided tour, for example:
- Guided tour of the cathedral and the best of Nice – see program and availability
- Bus Hop-on Hop-off Nice Le Grand Tour – book your ticket
- Electric velotaxi private tour – discover the activity
Visiting difficulties
Access to the site is relatively straightforward, with flat surfaces in the outdoor areas. There are a few steps to access the interior of the building, but no other level after that. An access ramp for the mobility-impaired is indicated if you go around the building on your way in.
Please note that it is forbidden to take photos inside the building. It should also be noted that the explanations and indications of the ornamentation, icons and paintings are in Russian.
There are no toilets on site; the nearest public toilets are a 20-minute walk away in the Jardin Thiole, on the Libération side of town.
DISCOVER Nice
- Best things to do in Nice
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- 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
Visiting Saint-Nicolas Cathedral in Nice: useful tips
Schedules and prices
Admission is free, and a guided tour in French is available for €28.
The cathedral is:
- Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Closed on Mondays
How long
Allow 45min to 1h to visit the interior and exterior of the building, before taking a tour of the garden.
If you opt for the guided tour, which includes other must-sees in Nice, allow 4 hours in total to get the full picture.
Best moment
We recommend you plan your visit for the morning to avoid the crowds. It’s one of Nice’s must-visit sites, and while it’s likely to be crowded during the summer months, the Côte d’Azur is a popular destination all year round. So there will always be visitors.
If you want to avoid services, check the official Mass schedule here.
Whenever you visit, please dress appropriately and respect this place of worship.
Direction of visit
There is no set way to visit it, but we do recommend that you:
- Start inside the building
- Then walk around the building to admire the sublime architectural details of the façade and towers.
- Finally, a stroll through the garden
Visiting with children
There’s no special tour for children, but this colorful site is sure to please young and old alike. The architectural ensemble can appeal to the imagination!
In the garden at the rear of the building, you’ll come across little rabbits wandering through the greenery and between the palm trees under the azure blue sky, much to the delight of children.
Eating out
There is no on-site dining area, and picnicking is not permitted inside or outside the site. As you’re right in the center of Nice, discover our selection of the city’s best restaurants.
Hotels
You’re right in the center of Nice. Here are our recommendations:
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
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO provence
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- Most beautiful cities in Provence (coming soon)
- Most beautiful beaches of Provence (coming soon)
- Most beautiful villages of Provence (to come)
- Most beautiful destinations in Provence (coming soon)
