Entrevaux Cathedral, Catholic cathedral in Entrevaux, France
Entrevaux Cathedral is a classical church set within the fortified town, featuring a single nave with a vaulted ceiling. The bell tower is integrated into the town walls and forms part of the defensive structure of the settlement.
The bishops of Glandèves moved their residence to Entrevaux in the early 17th century, and in 1604 Bishop Octave Isnard decided to build a new cathedral there. Work ran from 1609 to 1630, decoration was finished in the 1650s and the bell tower in the 1660s; it was probably consecrated in 1627. It served as cathedral from 1624 to 1790, and in 1692 its crenellated bell tower was integrated into the town's fortifications.
The cathedral keeps a walnut choir stall set of 53 seats from the 17th century and a pulpit carved with the four Evangelists. In August, a silvered copper bust reliquary of Saint John the Baptist is carried in procession. The main altar retable of 1716 frames François Mimault's painting of Notre-Dame du Rosaire, dated 1631.
The cathedral is oriented to the north-east because of the cramped site and the town's defences, so the south wall carries the three windows while the north wall is blind. The single nave of three bays has no side chapels, and the choir lies at the north-east end. The building is integrated into the town fortifications, and the bell tower was crenellated in 1692.
Inside is an organ from the early 1700s that has been restored multiple times over the centuries and still works today. This instrument is a rare example of a preserved church organ from that era.
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