Many of the best churches in Annecy are in the Old Town district, with some dating back to the Middle Ages, and represent a wealth of architectural styles and art. From the 16th century on, Annecy became a centrepiece of the Catholic religion in Savoy due to the Reformation. Today, the results of this city having been a strategic centre of the Church's response to those events are still on display in these stunning buildings.
From Gothic cathedrals to modest and modernist structures with unique interiors, you'll find all manner of building designs. Whether you're a history buff or just enjoy visiting spiritual sites, check out some of the most important and beautiful churches across Annecy.
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Visitation Basilica (Basilique De La Visitation)
See a historic Basilica with panoramic town views
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- History
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Visitation Basilica (Basilique De La Visitation) offers neo-Romanesque architecture and stunning panoramic views of the surrounding city from its perch atop a towering hill. It sits directly adjacent to a monastery founded in 1610, and the entire complex is one of historical importance and beauty. Inside, you'll find stained-glass windows tracing the lives of the two saints whose bodies are interred here in golden copper sarcophagi. The historic bell tower stands 72 metres high and houses 38 Paccard bells.
From the church's front esplanade, you can capture fantastic photos of the town below, of Annecy Castle, and the lake. It's all in the heart of the city centre.
Location: 20 Av. de la Visitation, 74000 Annecy, France
Open: Daily from 8 am to 6.30 pm
Phone: +33 4 50 45 20 30
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Church of Notre-Dame de Liesse
See an elaborate, neo-classical 19th-century church
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- History
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The Church of Notre-Dame de Liesse (Église de Notre-Dame de Liesse) is a massive 19th-century church offering stunning neo-classical architecture and a 16th-century bell tower. Its façade is a notable example of Sardinian styling and is a classic representation of the cruciform arrangement, classical pediment, and semicircle windows and arches. The altar in the sanctuary area is a stunningly detailed art piece and stands high above the seating. Visitors are encouraged to take in the elaborate murals on the walls and the iconic stained-glass windows.
If you take photos of the outside, be sure to capture the bell tower and the 1877 spire. It's in the heart of the city centre.
Location: Passage Notre Dame, 74000 Annecy, France
Phone: +33 4 50 65 00 45
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Annecy Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Pierre)
See a historic cathedral in Renaissance-Gothic style
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Annecy Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Pierre), also called St. Pierre Cathedral, offers a look at a 16th-century church with a combination of Renaissance and Gothic-style architecture. If you are a fan of architecture, you'll be taken by the exterior Renaissance façade, but when you walk into the church, it's like entering a whole new world with Gothic styling and décor. This church displays an engraved dedication to St. Francis of Assisi and the Holy Cross outside. It has a deep history from its origins as a convent chapel, an episcopal ministerial seat, a temple of the Goddess of Reason, and finally, a cathedral.
Tours are available, or you can explore independently. It's located in the city centre.
Location: 8 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 74000 Annecy, France
Phone: +33 4 50 65 00 45
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Saint Bernadette Church (Église Sainte Bernadette)
See a striking modern church among historic buildings
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- History
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Saint Bernadette Church (Église Sainte Bernadette) forms a juxtaposition with other churches and cathedrals because it's a newer structure in the Modernist architectural style with refined, angular detailing. The church was built by noted architects Claude Fay and Maurice Novarina and is a fine example of the Trente Glorieuses period of modernity and growth within the Church. This building is dominated by straight lines and angles, softened by a rounded bell tower. Inside, the architecture allows for an airy, open feel with a lot of natural and soft lighting.
A fine example of modern history, the church carries the 20th-century heritage label. It's about 6 minutes north-east of the city centre.
Location: 38 Av. d'Albigny, 74000 Annecy, France
Phone: +33 4 50 23 02 45
Mapphoto by Guilhem Vellut (CC BY 2.0) modified
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Church of Saint-François-de-Sales
See a church and French Revolution printing factory
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- History
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Church of Saint-François-de-Sales (Église de Saint-François-de-Sales) was built on the site of a former church in 1644 in the Baroque architectural style and houses historic tombs. Originally built to support the Counter-Reformation, this historic building was desecrated and became a printing factory during the French Revolution. In the late 19th century, it was fully restored and reconsecrated, returning to service as a church. The original chancel and high altar were completely reconstructed, and today it stands as an important monument to history.
The white, gold and blue arches are a photogenic highlight, as is the elaborate sanctuary space. It's also right in the heart of the city centre.
Location: 1 Pl. Saint-François de Sales, 74000 Annecy, France
Phone: +33 4 50 65 00 45
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Saint-Maurice Church (Église Saint Maurice)
Visit one of Annecy's oldest churches
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- History
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Saint-Maurice Church (Église Saint Maurice) offers a chance to see one of the oldest churches in the region and is an early 15th-century masterpiece of Savoyard Gothic architecture. The original structure was built around 1422 above the St. Maurice canal as a Dominican chapel and expanded in the 15th and 16th centuries with add-ons. Of particular historical importance is the fact that St. Francois de Sales is said to have made his First Communion here and later became a priest at the church.
The bell tower was constructed in 1450, partially dismantled in the French Revolution and restored in 1827. The church is in the heart of Annecy city centre.
Location: Rue Saint-Maurice, 74000 Annecy, France
Phone: +33 4 50 65 00 45
Map - 7
Saint-Blaise Church (Église Saint-Blaise)
See an art-deco church built around a Gothic shrine
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- History
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Saint-Blaise Church (Église Saint-Blaise) is a stunning, towering church in the heart of the city centre known for its architectural stylings and interior art pieces. The original church was built in the 1700s in neo-Gothic style, while the current building was structured around it in the 1930s in fine Art Deco styling. It's famed for the detailed classical mosaics and giant murals within, as well as the statuary and the elaborate sanctuary area.
Of particular importance is the Black Madonna inside, which is said to have miraculous powers and is a major attraction for visitors and locals alike. Église Saint-Blaise is about 12 minutes to the south of the city centre.
Location: Imp. Saint-Blaise, 74320 Sévrier, France
Phone: +33 4 50 68 61 79
Mapphoto by Guilhem Vellut (CC BY 2.0) modified
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Saint-Etienne du Pont Neuf Church
See a simple neo-Gothic church from the 1930s
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Saint-Etienne du Pont Neuf Church (Église Saint-Etienne du Pont Neuf) offers the chance to see a neo-Gothic church built in 1936 to replace a 12th-century church destroyed in 1793. The exterior is marked by sharp angles and a towering steeple, while the inside is simple and wide open. The iconic Way of the Cross stations within were designed by a Spanish artist, and the stained-glass windows were imported from Paris. The church includes a Ministry of Culture's City and Country of Art and History heritage walk.
The church can be explored as part of a guided tour on the walk, or you can do a self-guided tour. It's 13 minutes west of the city centre.
Location: Parking, Parking lot, 2 Rue de l'Isernon, 74960 Annecy, France
Phone: +33 7 87 80 34 46
Mapphoto by Guilhem Vellut (CC BY 2.0) modified
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Saint-Martin Church (Église Saint Martin)
See a classic 15th-century regional country church
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Saint-Martin Church (Église Saint Martin) is an important connection to the ancient history of the town of Seynod, dating to the 15th century and offering stunning views and gorgeous architecture. The church's origins date to its joining with the Annecy diocese. It began as a simple nave and bell tower and has grown throughout the years but has always retained a singular architectural style, unlike many other churches that are a fusion of different eras. Visitors enjoy photographing the north façade buttress with its Gallo-Roman inscription.
This church's uniquely unified architectural style allows one to imagine what regional country churches looked like hundreds of years ago. It's 20 minutes south-west of the city centre.
Location: 75 Av. des Neigeos, 74600 Annecy, France
Phone: +33 4 50 33 87 30
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Sainte-Geneviève des Bressis Church
Visit a modern-style church
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- History
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Sainte-Geneviève des Bressis Church (Église Sainte-Geneviève des Bressis) offers the chance to see one of a few modernist-style churches in Annecy, designed by architect Paul Jacquet. Everything about the design of this church is ultramodern and angular, even the bell tower that sits at the front of the structure. Inside, the décor is simple, open and airy with wood panelling on the ceiling and block-style stained-glass windows. These both depict Saint Genevieve and showcase an abstract art style reminiscent of the era when the church was built.
Another point of interest is the stonework on the bell tower, which portrays interesting shapes and patterns worked into the otherwise block-like pattern. It's 20 minutes south-west of the city centre.
Location: 1 Av. de Prelevet, 74960 Annecy, France
Phone: +33 4 50 69 09 70
Mapphoto by Tiia Monto (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified