Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption de Riez

Riez

Riez was a bishopric from the 5th century, and one of the most illustrious. Maxime, who had succeeded Honorat as abbot of Lérins, is its first known bishop, from about 434 to 460; Fauste, also abbot of Lérins, succeeded him and became known for his writings against the predestinarians. In November 439 a council met at Riez to settle the situation of the Churches of southern Gaul. From that time remain the Late Antique baptistery, with its eight ancient granite columns, and, facing its entrance, the remains of the first cathedral, Notre-Dame-de-la-Sède. In the course of the invasions the population had withdrawn to the plateau; in the 14th century the bishop authorised the dismantling of the old cathedral so that its materials could be reused. In 1490 Bishop Marc de Tende laid the foundation stone of a new building, set against the rampart, completed in 1510 according to the municipal bulletin, in 1524 according to others: this is the third cathedral of Riez. Henry III paid in 1574 for the reworking of the choir and nave; the bell tower is of 1599; Bishop Louis Doni d'Attichy added seven chapels in 1649. Riez remained an episcopal city until the Concordat of 1801. On the night of 18 May 1842 part of the nave collapsed; the community, despite its poverty, raised the necessary funds, and the foundation stone of the rebuilding was laid on 8 October 1844. The church retains 18th- and 19th-century paintings, and a pulpit and choir stalls of 16th-century walnut.

Wikipédia — Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption de Riez ↗

Getting there : In the village of Riez (04500); the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence tourist agency gives the address as the route de Marseille (to be checked). Opening and times to be checked: the building, whose walls are deteriorating, is awaiting restoration. The early Christian baptistery and the four Roman columns can be visited in the town.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

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