rue Sainte-Claire (St. Claire Street), Annecy

The St. Claire Street is situated in the district of Sainte Claire, between the banks of the Thiou River and the hillside of Annecy Aastle. The winding, narrow street extends from the small Sepulchre Gate through the Faubourg Sainte Claire and the medieval Sainte Claire Gate with its bell turret.

The St. Claire Street then leads the way into the Annecy old town and the small Sainte-Claire Square. On the Sainte-Claire Square is the Gallo House. This is an 18th century home named after its architect. The roof is slightly tilted, like a slouch hat. The facade is elaborately ornamented.

The street is lined with arcades of stone, affording shelter to pedestrians in foul weather. The arcades are in the form of arches supported by columns.

Number 18 is the Bagnorea House. The house was built in 1582 and was once the residence of Antoine Favre, President of the Genevois Regional Council. The house was donated by M. Favre to St. Francois de Sales. In 1607 Favre and St Francois started the Academy Florimontane. The Academy concerns itself today with the history of Savoy.

The Sainte-Claire Street morphs into the Isle Street and the tiny Effecheres Square. The Isle Street, in turn, becomes the Perriere Street. The winding Perriere Street gets narrower until it reaches the Perriere Gate. The Perriere Gate in medieval times was the main entrance to old Annecy. It is still part of the castle's walls.