The Catholic Church of Saint-Jacques-Le-Majeur (St. James the elder), also known as the Church of Jesus, is one of those gems that are hidden in the maze of streets of Old nice. Tourist meanders through him and suddenly enters the area of Jesus is very small, it barely fit in the small restaurant, a shop, a bakery. But the first thing he sees, the tourist, is suddenly raised in front of him the temple showy purple-blue colour.

A Church on this site was begun by the Jesuits (Society of Jesus) in 1612. Rich nice merchant donated money for the construction of the Jesuit College (the first stone was laid here in 1607). A few years the Jesuits bought the house around to fit not only the College, but also the chapel of Jesus. The main work on the temple, which probably owns the nice architect Jean-andré Gibert, ended in 1650. It is believed that it was the first nice example of the Baroque style, after which the city developed a true architectural revolution is seen by many Baroque facades of the old quarters.

However, the Society of Jesus in nice was coming to an end – the Jesuits were suppressed in 1773 by Pope Clement XIV abolished the order, and a year later, the Jesuits were banished from the city. In 1814 the Jesuit Order was restored, but the fate of the former chapel of Jesus is not affected – it became the parish Church of St. James.

The Apostle James, who is now devoted to the temple, often called the elder, to emphasize that he is the elder brother of the Apostle and Evangelist John. Therefore the Church bears the name of Saint-Jacques-Le-Majeur.

The facade, rebuilt in 1825, remained Baroque, although they have acquired some of the characteristics of the neoclassical style. Corinthian pilasters, typical of the Palladian window, garlands of flowers in Mannerist spirit, statues in niches, a bas-relief of a triangular pediment, and the combination of purple-blue walls with pale yellow trim – it looks extremely attractive.

The bell tower of brick with a height of 42 meters is only visible from neighbouring streets Croix (the cross). Worth going there to look at the unusual dome – it is covered with typical nice colourful tiles, but the shape is funny resembles a cocked hat.

Inside the Church is surprisingly spacious. Admire the splendor of the interior, typical of the Baroque style: the rich decor, sculpture, gilding. Here there are more than 160 images of angels and cherubs. The vault of the nave are decorated with frescoes, made in the XIX century by the nice drawings of the artist of Hercule Trashes and telling about the life of Christ and of the Apostle James.

One of the most impressive parts of the interior decoration of the Church is a statue of the virgin Mary in the chapel of our lady of the Seven Sorrows. The virgin Mary is depicted with a dagger in the heart, which refers to the gospel of Luke: "And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His Mother, behold, This is for the fall and rising of many in Israel; and for a sign of contradiction and a sword will pierce your own soul, may be revealed the thoughts of many hearts" (LK 2, 34-35).