Remarkable churches and chapels of Nice: a visitor's guide
From the flamboyant baroque of Sainte-Réparate to the penitent chapels of Vieux-Nice, the city has dozens of religious buildings. Here are fourteen remarkable churches and chapels, with their opening times where these are official, and one simple piece of advice for the rest: check before you travel.
Nice has an exceptional religious heritage: a baroque cathedral, confraternity chapels, a neo-Gothic basilica, a Franciscan monastery. Most can be visited free of charge, on a stroll through Vieux-Nice or along avenue Jean-Médecin. One word of caution: opening times are reported inconsistently. For each building without official opening times, we say so clearly: opening times not reported, check before you travel.
Sainte-Réparate Cathedral
At the heart of Vieux-Nice, on place Rossetti, Sainte-Réparate Cathedral is the city's great baroque vessel, listed as a historic monument since 1906, with its ten guild chapels. 2026 opening times recorded by the tourist office: Monday-Friday 9am-12pm and 2pm-6pm; Saturday 9am-12pm and 2pm-7.30pm; Sunday 9am-1pm and 3pm-6pm. Free entry. Our guide: Sainte-Réparate Cathedral, and place Rossetti right next door.
Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur, known as the Gesù
On rue Droite, a stone's throw from cours Saleya, the Gesù church (17th century) has a discreet baroque façade and an interior rich in decoration. One of the oldest parishes of Vieux-Nice, now a concert venue. Opening times not reported, check before you travel.
Église Sainte-Rita (Annonciation)
On rue de la Poissonnerie, Sainte-Rita has been a major place of devotion since 1934, listed as a historic monument in 1942; in May, the feast of Saint Rita includes the blessing of roses. Opening times: weekdays 7am-12pm and 2.30pm-6pm; Sunday 8am-12pm and 3pm-6pm. Free entry.
Église Notre-Dame-du-Port
On place de l'Île-de-Beauté, facing the port, Notre-Dame-du-Port (Notre-Dame-de-l'Immaculée-Conception) has been listed as a historic monument since 1991 and is included in the 2021 UNESCO perimeter. Opening times not reported, check before you travel.
Église Notre-Dame-Auxiliatrice (Don Bosco)
On place Don Bosco, between the station and the port, this church with its art deco and Byzantine looks has been listed as a historic monument since 2017. An opening is reported on Wednesdays from 3pm to 6pm and Saturdays from 9.30am to 11.30am, to be confirmed. Opening times not reported, check before you travel.
Chapelle de la Miséricorde (black penitents)
On cours Saleya, the Chapelle de la Miséricorde is a baroque masterpiece of the black penitents, with decorations by Vittone and Bistolfi. It does not open continuously: visits during the Heritage Days. Limited opening and opening times not reported, check before you travel, and enjoy the cours Saleya right in front.
Chapelle du Saint-Sépulcre (blue penitents)
On place Garibaldi, the Chapelle du Saint-Sépulcre belongs to the blue penitents. Sources differ on the time slots (Tuesday afternoon, first Sunday of the month, Wednesday evening depending on the period, summer closure): limited opening and opening times not reported, check before you travel.
Chapelle Sainte-Croix (white penitents)
On rue Saint-Joseph, in Vieux-Nice (the address varies by source), the Chapelle Sainte-Croix of the white penitents opens only for occasional visits. Limited opening and opening times not reported, check before you travel.
Chapelle du Saint-Suaire (red penitents)
On rue Jules Gilly, near place Charles-Félix (again an address that differs by source), the Chapelle du Saint-Suaire of the red penitents preserves a remarkable baroque decoration. Visits are undocumented: opening times not reported, check before you travel.
Basilique Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption
On avenue Jean-Médecin, the Basilique Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption is the largest church in Nice: a neo-Gothic vessel built between 1864 and 1879, famous for its 19th-century stained glass. Opening (diocesan survey): Monday-Friday 9am-12pm and 4pm-7pm. Free entry.
Église Saint-Martin-Saint-Augustin
On place Saint-Augustin, near place Garibaldi, this 17th-century baroque church houses a Pietà attributed to Louis Bréa; Garibaldi was baptised here. Opening times not reported, check before you travel.
Cimiez Monastery
On the Cimiez hill, the Franciscan monastery brings together a 15th-century church, a cloister, three altarpieces by Louis Bréa and the cemetery where Matisse, Dufy and Roger Martin du Gard rest. Cemetery: 8.30am-6pm from March to October, 8.30am-5pm from November to February; garden free. Church and Franciscan museum: opening times not reported, check before you travel. Details: Cimiez Monastery.
Holy Trinity Anglican Church
On rue de la Buffa, Holy Trinity is the historic Anglican church of Nice, listed as a historic monument in 2020. It reports opening for visits from Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, and a service on Sundays at 11am; times may vary, check with the parish before you travel.
Reformed Temple (United Protestant Church)
On boulevard Victor Hugo, the Reformed temple holds a service on Sundays at 10.15am. Visits outside services are not documented: opening times not reported, check before you travel.
Good to know before you visit
- Free entry: access to all the buildings in this list is free. Exception: at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint-Nicholas, entry is free but the guided tour is chargeable (€10), see our article the Russian church of Nice.
- Appropriate dress: shoulders and knees covered, no swimwear, hat removed inside the church. Some parishes lend a sarong at the entrance.
- Silence and respect: places of worship first and foremost: turn off ringtones and avoid flash during services.
- Occasional guided tours: several chapels open only for the Heritage Days or organised events, see the guided tours of Nice and the local calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Are the churches of Nice free?
Yes, all the buildings in this selection can be visited free of charge. The only notable exception: the guided tour of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral is chargeable (€10), while entry remains free.
Which churches have reliable opening times?
Sainte-Réparate, Sainte-Rita and the Basilique Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption have published official opening times, and the Cimiez Monastery cemetery has its own. For the others, opening times not reported: check before you travel.
Where can you see the penitent chapels?
Four confraternity chapels remain in the centre: la Miséricorde (cours Saleya), le Saint-Sépulcre (place Garibaldi), Sainte-Croix (Vieux-Nice) and le Saint-Suaire (rue Jules Gilly). All have limited opening.
What should you wear for a visit?
Understated dress: shoulders and knees covered, no swimwear or cap. During services, stay discreet, turn off your phone and avoid flash.
To plan your route, combine this list with Vieux-Nice and all of our tourist sites in Nice.
Find a hotel on Booking.com
Enter your dates to check availability and prices.
