Maison de la Galerie

Slightly removed from the old town, the Maison de la Galerie is sometimes referred to as the Holy Spring of the Visitation Order. It was here, in 1610, that François de Sales and Jeanne de Chantal founded the Order of the Visitation.

Originally, the Maison de la Galerie was a pleasure residence named after the enclosed gallery that linked the house to a lakeside meadow. In 1610, it was acquired by François de Sales and Jeanne de Chantal to house the first Visitation nuns. The cellar was then transformed into a chapel.

A house that quickly became too small:
In 1612, the house became too small. The nuns moved inside the city walls. Integrated into the second monastery when it was built in 1634, the house remained the property of the Visitandines until the end of the 18th century. In 1855, it was acquired by the Sisters of St. Joseph.

A place of memory :
The Galerie house is a place of remembrance and veneration for François de Sales.

Approximate length of visit: 30 to 40 minutes.
Please ring the Galerie doorbell before 3pm.