Annecy The Basilica of the Visitation

Saint Francis de Sales, bishop of Geneva, lived in Annecy from 1602, since Geneva had become Calvinist. In 1610 he founded there, with Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, the Order of the Visitation, for women who wished to give their lives to God without the hard penances of the older orders.

Their relics rest in the basilica of the Visitation, built above the town and the lake in the early twentieth century, where Visitation nuns still pray. Francis de Sales, author of the Introduction to the Devout Life, is the patron of writers and journalists.

Further reading: Paray-le-Monial: A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Sacred Heart; Ars: A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Village of Saint John Vianney; Lyon: A Pilgrim’s Guide to Fourvière and the Martyrs of 177.

• The basilica of the VisitationThe tombs of the two founders.
• The cathedral of Saint-PierreWhere Saint Francis de Sales preached.
• The old townThe canals of the Thiou and the Palais de l’Isle.

• January 24Feast of Saint Francis de Sales
• August 12Feast of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal

• Saint Francis de SalesBishop of Geneva and Doctor of the Church
• Saint Jane Frances de ChantalCofounder of the Order of the Visitation

• Via SanctorumThe Way of the Saints, nine daysDay VIII, Lyon to Annecy · Day IX, Annecy

About forty-five minutes by road from Geneva airport.

• ArsThe Shrine of the Curé of Ars, about 63 miles as the crow flies
• LyonFourvière and the Martyrs of Lyon, about 63 miles as the crow flies
• La SaletteThe Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, about 72 miles as the crow flies
• TournusThe Abbey of Saint-Philibert, about 74 miles as the crow flies