The most beautiful religious buildings Côte d'Azur

The portal with sculpted wooden wings of this ancient cathedral, listed as Historical Monument, was made round 1710 by Jacques Dolle. The square bell tower of the 12th century is an ancient watchtower. The choir of the 12th century has also a unique feature in the world: the apse stops vertically because of the presence of the walls at the time of construction. Do not miss the very beautiful altarpiece of Brea, the Virgin of Mercy, or the Virgin of the Rosary. At its right, a sixteen century statue of Christ, carved in the trunk of a lime tree.

In a genoese style and classified Historic Monument, this church built in 1560 is closely linked to the history of Cannet. Its original architecture reveals the four successive enlargements carried out over the centuries. It includes a nef and abse, three side chapels and a quadrangular bell tower preceded by a vestibule. 500 m² of decorative wall paintings and motifs were restored: The frescoes were restored to their original beauty. You can also admire the two great Baroque altars, the shimmered paintings glued onto the XVIIIth century arch, the baptismal fonts, the tabernacles and the ex-voto.

It is at the foot of the old village that the church Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, better known under the name of Sainte-Rosalie, was built in the 12th century. We first of all take note of its nave, inspired by Italian Baroque, built in the 17th century by the Chevaliers de l'Ordre des Hospitaliers de Saint-Jean-de-Jérusalem. It houses a gilded wooden statue of Sainte Rosalie and a statue of the Madone, so-called "Mizraim", brought from Egypt at the time of the Crusades by the lord of Chabaud.

In a Neoclassical style, the building was constructed in the eighteenth century at the request of Charles Emmanuel III King of Savoy. The blue colour of the clock's dial is that of the Virgin. The church is listed as a historic monument since 1984.

On the front, on the lower cornice of the triangular pediment mounted by the architect Antoine Spinelli, is inscribed Societas sanctissimi Sepulcri, which can be translated as Société du Très-Saint-Sépulcre, the official name of the Blue Penitents. It is to this brotherhood founded in 1431 that this building dedicated today to the Italian Catholic Mission belongs. Its construction has continued through the centuries: the nave in the 15th century, the choir with its beautiful baroque decoration in the 18th century and the last finishing touches in the 19th century. Inside, the decoration comes from various origins. The paintings are dated from different periods while the ceilings are from the 19th century. Legend has it that a young monk named Martin Luther, who was in Nice, celebrated a mass there.

On the facade of this religious building built in 1820 appears an armed and helmeted saint Tropez. Inside, the saint's relics are kept in golden reliquaries. His painted wood bust is the principal ornament of all processions of bravado.

Built from 1675 and opened in 1685, it contains the relics of Saint Maxime, patron of the village. It contains retables in gilded sculpted wood, 1762, tables, votive offerings, a statue of Saint Donat in gold painted wood, from the late sixteenth century. The apse is decorated with a monumental altar. Antique stained glass, faithfully restored in the workshops of Fernand Léger de Biot, illuminates. The bell tower, of Romanesque style, is coated with multi-coloured glazed tiles.

The Monegasque parish church of Saint Charles was built at the end of the ^19th century, under the order of Prince Charles III. Installed in place of the old Saint Laurent chapel, its purpose was to meet the spiritual needs of a growing population. In accordance with the Prince's wishes, the new church was dedicated to St. Charles Borromeo, whose statue can be seen on the porch. In the shape of a Latin cross, the building is a reconstruction of the French Renaissance style. The facade is topped by a bell tower with a 30 m high campanile.

The Sainte-Léonce cathedral, classified as a historical monument since 1862, is one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in France and one of the most visited sites in the region. It has 2 naves, Notre-Dame, composed of 3 cross vaults with cross windows and Saint-Etienne which has 6 barrel vaults. The baptistery, one of the oldest in France, located on the southwest side of the cathedral, has an octagonal room and a baptismal font.

Unique building in matter of shape and purpose, the replica of the Sudanese Mosque of Djenné was built in 1930 in the former military camp.

Rebuilt in 1508 in flamboyant style on the ruins of a twelfth century church, it houses the oldest church bell dating from Var (1458). Its pentagonal apse is lit by stained glass windows of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Built on the ramparts, it is an architectural curiosity. On December 2nd, 2004, the municipality obtained the "Heritage ribbons departmental award" for the quality of work undertaken.

The old oil mill attracts many tourists from the onset of the beautiful days. Restored on several occasions, it is almost in its original state. It should be noted that it is one of the oldest in the region, prior to the Revolution.