The church dedicated to Notre-Dame-Auxiliatrice was the first church built in France by the Salesians of Don Bosco, as well as the largest in the entire diocese of Nice. Adjacent to the school complex (1,700 pupils), it was built between 1925 and 1933 to a design by Nice-based architect Jules Febvre, and is representative of an era marked by the renewal of sacred art: simplicity of form, ornamentation achieved through architectural solutions, the absence of external sculpture, a return to fresco painting, and the use of light and stained-glass windows. It has been listed as a Historic Monument since 22 March 2017.
A €2.8 million renovation project
Unfortunately, the building is ageing. A diagnostic survey carried out in 2020 revealed the dilapidated state of the roofing and external plasterwork. The Don Bosco Foundation, with the support of the Alpes-Maritimes Department and the Regional Directorate for Cultural Affairs (DRAC) of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, intends to carry out this work in seven phases spread over seven years, from 2026 to 2032, at a total cost of €2.8 million.
Furthermore, plans are also underway to transform the church crypt into a memorial to the Holocaust, to commemorate the rescue of 50 Jewish children by the Sons of Don Bosco in 1943.
A fundraising campaign
A fundraising campaign has just been launched in this context. To this end, on Wednesday 20 May 2026, a performance by the students was held under the guidance of Ms Alexandra Beausire, the future Headmistress of the school: the performance featured 12 scenes, set against the backdrop of this church which celebrates Don Bosco’s trust in Mary Help of Christians, a trust whose boldness was capable of moving mountains!
“The initial funds raised thanks to the generosity of the friends of ‘Don Bosco Nice’ amount to €8,000,” emphasises Daniel Gouilly, the current Headmaster. “It is a very encouraging first step in the fundraising and bequests campaign we wish to develop to preserve this treasure, a National Shrine, built exactly 100 years ago.”
For further information, visit: https://www.jaidedonbosco.org or write to: c.dupont@donbosconice.eu
Benoit Deseure
Source: Don Bosco Aujourd’hui
