Église Saint-Spyridon

Église Saint-Spyridon is a Greek Orthodox church in Nice, standing at the foot of Cimiez hill. Its villa setting serves worship, Greek cultural life, and social support for communities across the Côte d’Azur and Monaco.

The local Greek community bought the property in 1955, after services had taken place in a Russian church on rue Longchamp. Dedication followed in 1957, during the Feast of the Annunciation and Greek National Day. A hand-crafted Byzantine iconostasis from Athens arrived in 1967, carrying images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Spyridon. Wall paintings created in 1992 and 1993 cover about 200 square metres, drawing on Mount Athos, Constantinople, and Meteora. Stained-glass windows added in 1990 and 1991 combine Greek and Cypriot fresco motifs with Byzantine manuscript designs.

A mixed polyphonic choir, youth groups, and an annual theatrical performance continue the community’s cultural life. The most striking detail is the iconostasis, whose carved vine leaves and grape clusters frame four revered images.