Cathédrale Saint-François-de-Sales de Chambéry

Chambéry

Nothing, from the outside, announces a cathedral: it is the church of a Franciscan friary, which the friars began around 1420 and which was not meant to exceed the modesty of their rule. The ground added its own constraint: the subsoil is a marsh, and some 30,000 larch piles had to be driven in to carry the walls. The façade, in a restrained Flamboyant Gothic, dates from 1522; the church was completed at the end of the 16th century. According to Wikipedia, from the 15th century onwards, the Shroud now kept in Turin was sometimes brought to this church of the Cordeliers for lavish services during the solemn expositions, which drew crowds of pilgrims. The church did not become a cathedral until 1779, on the creation of the bishopric of Chambéry; in 1802, the new bishop placed it under the dedication of Saint Francis de Sales, and in 1817 it became a metropolitan cathedral. Its real surprise lies inside. In 1810, Fabrizio Sevesi painted a first trompe-l'œil in the choir; then, in 1834 and 1835, Casimir Vicario covered all the walls and vaults with painted decoration imitating the ribs and tracery of Flamboyant Gothic: nearly 6,000 m², the largest ensemble of trompe-l'œil paintings in Europe. The eye is taken in at every pillar. The Treasury chapel holds a 12th-century ivory diptych, Byzantine in inspiration, and the gallery a Romantic organ built in 1847 by Augustin Zeiger, a listed historic monument.

Wikipédia — Cathédrale Saint-François-de-Sales de Chambéry ↗

Getting there : Place de la Métropole, in the old town of Chambéry. According to the Chambéry Montagnes tourist office, from May to October: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 12 noon and from 2 pm to 6 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 12 noon and from 3 pm to 6 pm; winter opening times to be checked. Guided tours on request from the tourist office; free entry to be checked.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound