Russian victory over Nice cathedral

For the last 80 years the richly ornamented Saint Nicholas cathedral has been run by a cultural association, whose members include descendants of White Russians who fled communist Russia after the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution.

They argued that their association had become the rightful owners and that Russia had shown no interest up to now in the building. Three years ago, Russia took the case to the French courts who, after studying the original documents, decreed that the Russian state was the legitimate owner of the building and its contents, including all objects and works of art.

The association is to lodge an appeal against the decision.  CL