Annecy Cathedral, Annecy (must see)

Formally known as the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Chains, Annecy Cathedral was listed as a historic monument in October 1906. The original edifice was built by Jacques Rossel sometime before 1526. It was intended to be a convent of the Celestins but in 1538 it became a haven for Catholic refugees from Calvinism in Geneva.

Saint Francis de Sales held the seat of Bishop there in the 16th century. In 1792, during the time of the French Revolution, the church was miraculously converted into a temple of the Goddess Reason. The Goddess reigned supreme for a time but she was unseated in the Napoleonic era. The status Cathedral was awarded in 1822.

The Renaissance facade of 1535 was adapted from the Roman model of the Church of Sainte-Marie-du-Peuple. The facade masks the basilica aspects of the cathedral. It has Tuscan pilasters under a triangular pediment and a classic Gothic rose window. The bell tower holds two bells by the Paccard Foundry in Sevrier.

There are two pointed arches similar to those of Jacques Rossel installed in 1511 on the tower of Geneva Cathedral. The choir was refurbished in 1775 by architect Giovanni Piacenza. The organ of the Cathedral is by Nicolas-Antoine Lete, organ builder to the King in 1842.

The layout of the Cathedral is similar to a basilica. It has three naves and five bays. The choir is done-over as neoclassical, brightly illuminated by stained glass windows.

The Cathedral is open to the public everyday.