The Notre-Dame basilica, in Gothic style, rose from the ground between 1864 and 1868 -

ERIC GAILLARD-POOL / SIPA

  • A knife attack killed three people this Thursday morning in the Notre-Dame basilica in Nice.

  • This religious building, the most emblematic of Nice, welcomes the faithful and tourists.

  • In the Gothic style, inspired by the cathedrals of Paris and Angers, Notre-Dame de Nice was consecrated on March 12, 1925 and was elevated to the rank of basilica on April 16, 1978.

Behind the police cordon, Sephora, 28, looks at the Basilica of Nice without really believing it.

She speaks of a "nightmare".

"That it happened here, I can not conceive it", breathes the young woman.

This parishioner regularly travels from Villefranche-sur-Mer, about twenty minutes away, to attend services.

“The last time was Wednesday,” she says before bursting into tears.

“We are around forty faithful here, especially the elderly.

We all know each other.

And then there are also a lot of people passing through ”.

"It has the advantage of being well placed"

Completed in 1868, the Notre-Dame de Nice basilica, the most emblematic religious building in the city, the scene of a deadly attack this Thursday morning, sits between the central station and the promenade des Anglais, in the middle of the artery the most commercial of the Riviera capital, avenue Jean-Médecin.

Commercial, and especially tourist.

Father Gil Florini, this Thursday in front of the Notre-Dame basilica in Nice - F. Binacchi / ANP / 20 Minutes

“It has the advantage of being well placed.

It was built when the city grew, explains Father Gil Florini, dean of the diocese of Nice.

So there are the regulars, but also people from other neighborhoods who put up with the tram which stops almost in front of it.

There are also people who work nearby or in the businesses that stop there.

"

A large Muslim community

Gothic in style, inspired by the cathedrals of Paris and Angers, Notre-Dame de Nice was consecrated on March 12, 1925, then elevated to the rank of basilica on April 16, 1978. Renovated a few years ago, behind its white stones Immaculate, the place of worship came to see everything named at its head a new priest.

Father Franklin Parmentier arrived on September 1, but had not yet arrived this Thursday morning, at the time of the attack.

Vincent, the sacristan, the assailant's first victim, often preceded him.

“He was the one who opened.

He was always on the move, always taking care of the faithful, ”recounts Sephora, inconsolable.

“He was attentive to everyone,” she explains.

He brought drinks to the homeless who settled in the square, even if they were of different faith.

The basilica is located right in front of a Muslim quarter.

The west of the "Notre-Dame district", and its few streets wedged behind Avenue Jean-Médecin, notably hosts the Union prayer room.

Sanctuarized like all the other churches in the Côte d'Azur capital this Thursday, the basilica could reopen on Sunday for All Saints' masses.

In the meantime, the Sainte-Reparate cathedral, in the heart of Nice, will reopen exceptionally at the stroke of 5 pm, “under high security”.

"A time of prayer and recollection will bring together all those who wish it", indicates the diocese of Nice.

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