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Archaeologists in southern France have uncovered the remains of a fifth-century Christian cathedral during renovation works beneath the market halls of a town. The discovery has been described by experts as of “exceptional” importance for understanding the spread of Catholicism in France.
The dramatic news was presented to the press on 31 July in Vence, a town in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, after excavations that began in March revealed the foundations of a cathedral more than 30 metres long – abandoned and razed in the 11th century – along with a burial ground for bishops, canons and local dignitaries.
Franck Sumera, general curator of the archaeology service at the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, explained during the press conference that his team was taken by surprise when the floors of the market were lifted. He described the find as an “exceptional” opportunity to trace the religious development of the region from the fifth century onwards.
The site of the baptistery was also discovered, uncovered outside the church itself and still intact in its original state. The octagonal font, lined with Roman concrete, retains its original cross-shaped interior, showing no later alterations. Archaeologists believe it was once surrounded by a colonnade and roofed. At the time, baptism was chiefly administered to adults by immersion, unlike the practice of sprinkling water that is familiar to Catholics today.
Other discoveries include the apse of the cathedral and graves constructed from pitched Roman tiles. Remnants of a Roman dwelling were also found beneath the church foundations, confirming the layered history of the site. After the cathedral was abandoned, two moulds for bell-casting were installed in the nave, indicating a link between the old structure and the church that succeeded it in the 11th century.
The municipality of Vence has confirmed that the discovery will not halt its plans to rehabilitate the market halls. Instead, the archaeological remains will be incorporated into the new commercial complex.
The baptistery, located at the entrance of the new building, will be displayed beneath a protective glass floor, while the cathedral apse may also be showcased under a transparent covering. One or more of the tombs could also be exhibited. Local officials argue that this approach will allow more of the public to encounter the discoveries.
The head of the Nice metropolitan archaeological service, Fabien Blanc-Garidel, told Le Figaro that discoveries like this “only occur once every 50 or 60 years in Europe”. He noted that the excavations had revealed six centuries of Christian history in a city that emerged as an important episcopal centre, situated strategically between Italy and Southern France.
“This discovery enhances our knowledge of early Christian religious practices in the Alpes-Maritimes and Provence,” Blanc-Garidel said, adding that the preservation of the baptistery was particularly special. Similar finds in Paris, at the site of Notre-Dame, have enabled archaeologists to link tombs to known bishops of the period.
The Vence find is the latest in a series of archaeological discoveries illuminating early Christian life. Earlier this month, excavations on Sir Bani Yas Island in Abu Dhabi revealed the remains of a monastery and church dating back to the sixth century, attesting to an enduring Christian presence at the time in the Persian Gulf.
The excavations at Vence are scheduled to finish in September, after which they will be integrated into the new commercial development.
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Photo: Archaeologists working on unearthed remains of an early Christian cathedral in Vence, southeastern France, 31 July 2025. (Photo by VINCENT-XAVIER MORVAN/AFP via Getty Images.)
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