When removing a cement floor as part of the construction of future Halles Surian in Vence (Alpes-Maritimes), the plan of a large building was discovered. With a rectangular surface of 300 m², it measures 30 m x 11.50 m and ends at its end with two apses.
The archaeological service of the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolis, seized the same day, quickly identified that it could be the plan of the Cathedral of Vence dating from the 5th century.
Linked to the episcopate of Severus, the first Bishop Vençois, the first cathedral was presumed to be under the current religious building, further north, but no material evidence had been found.
For the moment, archaeologists are still in the evaluation phase in order to program a search. “Everything will depend on the stratification of the site. If we have complex layers, research will be able to take several months. On the other hand, if the site is leveled – which seems to be the case – a excavation of a month and a half could be enough “ said Fabien Blanc Garidel, head of the archaeological service of the Metropolis Nice Côte d’Azur, at France 3.
If the paleochretian nature of the vestiges is confirmed, “This discovery will make it possible to fill a real historical vacuum and completely review our knowledge of the urban framework of Vence” says Fabien Blanc Garidel,
The end of Roman antiquity, dated at the end of the 5th century – period of transition between ancient town planning and Christian implantation – is indeed poorly known in Vence. Very few paleochrétian cathedrals are preserved in the region.
The town hall indicated that at this stage, the discovery did not call into question the feasibility of future Halles Surian, whose delivery is scheduled for the end of 2025.
