Cathédrale Saint-Léonce de Fréjus

Fréjus Cathedral (French: Cathédrale Saint-Léonce de Fréjus) is a Roman Catholic co-cathedral located in the town of Fréjus in the Var department of Provence in southeast France. It is a national monument.

The cathedral, dedicated to Saint Leontius of Fréjus, has been the seat of the Bishop of Fréjus since the 5th century. The see was abolished in 1801 but restored under the Concordat of 1817. In 1957 the Diocese of Fréjus was united with that of Toulon to form the present Diocese of Fréjus-Toulon, with its seat at Toulon Cathedral .

The church is part of a complex of a larger fortified complex of medieval religious buildings dating from between the 5th and 13th centuries, when Fréjus was an important religious and commercial centre of Provence, comprising a parish church and a cathedral under one roof; a baptistery; the bishop's residence; a canonry, for the community of priests who served under the bishop; and a cloister.

The baptistery of the cathedral is a fine example of Merovingian architecture. It was built in the 5th century but hidden during later reconstruction, and was rediscovered in 1925 by French architect Jules Formigé. It is considered the oldest Christian structure in Provence, and one of the oldest in France.

Cloister

The cloister, which served as a place of meditation for the bishop and the dozen canons who served him, was built in the 13th century on the north side of the cathedral. It consists of pointed arches resting on double Corinthian columns. The decoration of the capitals of the columns features the key, the symbol of the bishops of Fréjus, and the fleur-de-lis, the symbol of Charles I of Anjou, the brother of Louis IX of France, (Saint Louis), who had become the Count of Provence in 1246.

Last admission 30 minutes before closing.

From 2 January to 31 May
Open every day except monday 10.00-13.00 / 14.00-17.00