Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds Cathedral

The Cathedral of Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds, in Toulon

The Cathedral of Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds is the oldest building of Toulon, a witness of more than a thousand years of history. The Toulon audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this sanctuary begun in the eleventh century, in the heart of the old town.

The oldest building of the town

Here is the oldest building of Toulon: the Cathedral of Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds, also called Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-la-Seds. It is in the fifth century that a first Christian building was constructed on this site, at the origins of the episcopal town. But the cathedral that you see today was begun in the eleventh century, in the Romanesque style, then enlarged and modified over the centuries, up to the baroque era. This long history is read in its composite architecture, which mixes the styles: a Romanesque part, sober and massive, a later Gothic extension, and a classical façade of the seventeenth century. Inside, the building is plunged in an atmosphere of penumbra and contemplation, and keeps a rich furniture, altars, paintings and religious works of art accumulated over time. A witness of the faith of the Toulon people since the Middle Ages, the cathedral is the spiritual and historic heart of the old town, around which the town developed. A thousand-year-old sanctuary and the oldest monument of the town, the Cathedral of Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds is discovered with respect.

What to see

You admire, with respect, the oldest building of Toulon, begun in the eleventh century in the Romanesque style on the site of a first building of the fifth century, then enlarged up to the baroque era, with composite architecture mixing Romanesque, Gothic and a classical façade of the seventeenth century, which keeps in an atmosphere of contemplation a rich furniture, altars and religious works. The Cathedral of Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds is the spiritual heart of Toulon. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Cathedral of Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds lies in the heart of the old town of Toulon, reachable on foot. A place of worship, it can be visited with respect for services; entry is generally free, but hours vary. It is best to check them before coming and to respect the sacred character of the place.

Why is the Cathedral of Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds remarkable in Toulon?

Because it is the oldest building of Toulon: a first building was constructed there in the fifth century, and the current cathedral, begun in the eleventh century then enlarged up to the baroque era, presents a composite architecture mixing Romanesque, Gothic and a classical façade, spiritual and historic heart of the old town.

Where is the Cathedral of Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds in Toulon?

In the heart of the old town of Toulon, in France.