Annecy, the Birthplace of Salesian Spirituality
Annecy, France
Annecy is in the Upper-Savoy region of Southeastern France and offers some of the country’s most magnificent scenery, with the Alps towering above, bordering both Switzerland and Italy.
It is in this setting that St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal lived and ministered. DeSales was Bishop of Annecy from 1602 to 1622. It is in this beautifully preserved medieval town where he and St. Jane Frances de Chantal founded the Congregation of the Visitation at Annecy in 1610. The relics of both saints are preserved in the Basilica of the Visitation, overlooking the Old Town and the Lake of Annecy.
The Church of St. Francis de Sales in Annecy, France
The first burial place of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantel. It was originally the chapel of the second Visitation Monastery. The red and yellow buildings to the left of the church are presently hotels, but were originally part of the monastery cloister.
The interior of the Church of St. Francis de Sales in Annecy, France
St. Francis de Sales was originally interned under the first arch on the right. St. Jane de Chantel was interned under the first arch on the left. The remains of both saints are in the present-day monastery of the Visitation Sisters in Annecy, located about a half-mile from this church.
North American Salesian Network
The North American Salesian Network (NASN) is an organization of both lay and religious groups that live the Salesian teachings of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal. NASN facilitates the sharing of Salesian resources, educational services, vocational efforts, and a variety of resources, bringing this optimistic, joy-filled spirituality to people throughout the world.