Cloitre de la Cathedrale de Frejus

Built in the 13th century, the Cloister of Fréjus Cathedral is a jewel of Provençal medieval art, nestled in the heart of the episcopal city. Its elegant galleries, supported by slender paired columns, surround a peaceful garden that seems to shield visitors from the hustle and bustle of the French Riviera. This magnificently restored place of meditation testifies to the past prestige of the Diocese of Fréjus, blending Romanesque and Gothic influences in perfect harmony. The cloister's true treasure lies hidden within its timber frame: a painted larchwood ceiling, unique in France, dating from the 14th century. More than 300 panels, known as "closoirs," reveal a fantastical world populated by hybrid creatures, exotic animals, and scenes of medieval daily life. It is a fascinating historical comic strip that flies over the heads of visitors, offering a rare and sometimes humorous look at the imagination of men in the Middle Ages.