Cathédrale St-Sauveur, Aix-en-Provence
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Alessandro.
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Christine Jewell.
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Patrick Spence.
Mural in the baptistery. Photo
Septuagent.
Mosaic in the baptistery. Photo
Septuagent.The Cathédrale St-Sauveur (Holy Savior Cathedral) in Aix-en-Provence was built in fits and starts from the 5th century to the 15th century. It is known for its interesting combination of architectural styles and its art masterpiece by Nicolas Fromen, the Burning Bush Triptych.
History
The site on which the Cathedrale St-Sauveur was built has been considered sacred for thousands of years. It first hosted a pre-Roman pagan temple, then a Roman temple, and finally the Christian church that stands today.
Construction of St-Sauveur was regularly interrupted by wars, plagues, and other problems, and as such encompasses a variety of architectural styles. Cathédrale St-Sauveur began with the baptistery in the 4th or 5th century, followed by the cloisters a few hundred years later.
Further structures, including the naves, bell tower and doors, were added over the course of the Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque periods.
During the French Revolution, the decorative panel above the doors was destroyed and remains a blank space. The statues on the face of the church were decapitated and the heads were subsequently lost (the current heads are replacements).
What to See
The Cathédrale St-Sauveur has a double nave, one Gothic and one Romanesque. A 16th-century Gothic portal features elaborately carved doors (opened by a guide on request). The cathedral is flanked on the north by an incomplete tower.
Inside, the Cathédrale St-Sauveur contains a 16th-century tapestry and a 4th- or 5th-century Merovingian baptistery.
The most valuable work of art in the cathedral is an extraordinary 15th-century triptych by Nicolas Froment. The Triptyque du Buisson Ardent (Burning Bush Triptych) depicts the art patrons King René and Queen Jeanne kneeling on either side of the Virgin, who is poised above a burning bush. To avoid light damage, the triptych is only opened for viewing on Tuesdays from 3 to 4.
The cathedral is the seat of the bishop of Aix-en-Provence, and as such contains a cathedra, his throne. It is a modern sculpture featuring a wavy bronze panel. According to the cathedral's website, this "evokes God's breathing in of His own life's breath in the form of the Holy Spirit to fill the great sail as it surrounds the movements of the waves of life." The altar, also a modern work of art, rests on three bronze shapes representing the Holy Trinity.
The archbishop's palace and a Romanesque cloister, a tranquil space with carved pillars and slender columns, adjoin the cathedral on its south side. The Church of Saint-Jean-de-Malto, dating from the 13th century, contains some valuable artworks.
Quick Facts
| Address: | Rue Gaston de Saporta, Aix-en-Provence, France |
| Phone: | 04-42-23-45-65 |
| Hours: | Daily 7:30-noon and 2-6 (except during services). |
| Cost: | Free |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Cathedral of Aix-en-Provence. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our France Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
- Saint-Sauveur - official website (French and English)
- Fodor's France
- Frommer's France
- Cathédrale de St.-Sauveur - IgoUgo user review
