Notre-Dame-de-la-Platea Cathedral

This colorful church is the cathedral of Antibes, a listed Historic Monument since 1945. It’s the largest church in the city, with a classical façade and several masterpieces of religious art inside. The first church on this site was built in the 5th century, followed by a cathedral in the 10th century. Less than two hundred years later, the cathedral was destroyed by the Saracens—Arab forces who invaded several towns in the South. A new Romanesque-style cathedral was built in its place, but it too was largely destroyed in 1746 during the War of the Austrian Succession. Following orders from Louis XV, it was rebuilt once again, using parts of the original Romanesque choir and a doorway from 1710 that features the city’s two protectors, Saint Roch and Saint Sebastian. The cathedral’s mix of architectural styles comes from these various reconstructions and restorations. Today, located in the heart of Antibes’ old town, just steps from Grimaldi Castle, it remains a must-see when visiting this beautiful Provençal city. Unfortunately, it’s not open to the public except for mass. To its left stands the Grimaldi Tower, rising 30 meters high. Its exact construction date is unknown, but it is believed to be sometime between the 11th and 13th centuries—well before the Grimaldi family arrived. Also known as the Saracen Tower, it wasn’t the only one in town. After the Saracen invasions, it became necessary to fortify the city against future attacks. That’s why several towers like this one were built to help defend Antibes. Like the cathedral, it’s classified as a Historic Monument.