Basilica Visitation is the highest symbol of the religious past of the city dominates Crêt d’Annecy and the surrounding area, on the bottom of the Semnoz.
Built between 1909 and 1930, it was consecrated by Cardinal Tedeschini in 1949. On the Gothic Revival style, this basilica has acquired the name of Visitation to honour a hidden mystery of the church : « the visit of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. »
There are inside beautiful mosaics and stained glass windows that recount the life of St. François de Sales and Jeanne de Chantal (the patron Saints of Annecy), whose bronze caskets are exposed, and a masterpiece of casting Paccard (famous local bell maker which has a museum in Sévrier); a carillon of 36 bells (lovely sound).
The visitation is not only a historical site that can be visited. It also houses within it a community of Visitation nuns who lives in the shadow of the steeple, in a prayer life that they share with visitors who are interested. It is possible to visit the Basilica of the Visitation at Annecy, at any time through its daily open from 7am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm.
There is also a small museum and a little shop.
If you are at the Castle or in the Old Town, you walk up to Basilica Visitation, but it is up hill and has many stairs.
If you drive, you have a free parking and it is easy to park.
Address : 11 av. de la Visitation F – 74000 Annecy Phone : 04 50 45 22 76 E-mail : francois.mercier@wanadoo.fr
http://musees.annecy.fr/Patrimoines/Decouvrez-nos-patrimoines/Annecy/Basilique-de-la-Visitation
For those who are not so religious, it is still really nice to go there and admire the building from outside. You can also sit on one of the bench and enjoy the view which is stunning.
Please do not go there late at night or you will discover if the rumor is true, it is a non catholic meeting place anymore (couple swapping partners, gays, prostitutes…). Once when I was younger, I went there with a boyfriend as we wanted to see if the gossiping was right and we left after 5 minutes when we found out it was!!! But if you are adventurous, flash your car light, wait and see…
