Eglise Saint-Antonin de Levens

Built against the north-east rampart of the old feudal castle, the church is mentioned for the first time in 1286 in the chartrier of the Abbey of St Pons (Nice). According to research, the church of Levens is of Cistercian origin. It would have been built for the 100th anniversary of the death of Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153). The exterior, the façade was restored at the beginning of the 20th century in the image of the Cathedral of Monaco. One can imagine the old façade by looking at the grey limestone lintel placed on the square in front of the church under the chestnut tree. The interior, a basical plan with three naves separated by two rows of columns composed of high drums made of local grey limestone, very hard to work. The bases have curious heads representing the writings of Bernard of Clairvaux. The diversity of the representations can be seen: helmeted warriors, priests, twins and the "smile of Levens". Note the small cartouche on one of the drums of the first column; 1614, the date of the important restoration of the church. This is an example of the baroque style, very much influenced by Piedmont and Liguria. In the choir, the fresco artist Guy Ceppa restored in 1981-1982 the original frescoes that decorated the church in the 17th century. Of particular note is the Communion Table from 1779 in polychrome Carrara marble and inlaid with onyx. Some elements of the choir date from the 16th century, notably the astonishing predella from 1594 recounting the life of St Antoninus.
The altars and altarpieces. All the altars and altarpieces in the church are in the same added Baroque style and match the choir decoration. On either side of the choir, the altar and altarpiece of Our Lady of the Rosary, 18th century canvas, polychrome gypsery from the Empire period. The altar of the souls in Purgatory, Empire period, "Saint Louis de Gonzague and Saint Nicolas de Tolentino interceding with St Peter for the souls in Purgatory", Empire period canvas.
The preaching pulpit, moved to the first bay of the north side, is made of carved wood at the end of the 16th century. The outstretched arm held the cross to represent the power of God.