Église Saint-François-de-Sales

Gazing up at the Église Saint-François-de-Sales, can you sense the echoes of its intriguing past? This neoclassical church, nestled in Lyon’s 2nd arrondissement on Rue Auguste-Comte, has a story far richer than its elegant façade suggests. Église Saint-François-de-Sales stands as a testament to resilience, transformation, and artistic brilliance. The story of Église Saint-François-de-Sales begins long before its cornerstone was laid in 1803. A smaller church, Sainte Madeleine, once occupied this very spot. It served as a bridge between two houses dedicated to women: the Maison des Recluses and the Couvent des filles pénitentes. During the French Revolution, these buildings were repurposed as a prison, grimly known as the prison des Recluses. The church we see today arose from these turbulent beginnings. The Église Saint-François-de-Sales was built in stages. The left aisle was completed in 1807. The right aisle, façade, choir, and dome followed between 1828 and 1831. A final wave of construction took place from 1842 to 1847, overseen by the architect Claude-Anthelme Benoit. He also worked on the Basilica of Saint-Martin d’Ainay and Saint-Nizier. The interior of Église Saint-François-de-Sales is a striking contrast to its restrained exterior. The neo-baroque decorations, crafted by Lyonnaise artists, create a sense of awe and wonder. Look up to admire the star-studded ceiling, a motif echoing the coat of arms of the de Sales family. This celestial display is the work of Alexandre Denuelle, whose artistry also graces Saint-Martin d’Ainay and the Hôtel-Dieu. Dominating the altar is a magnificent crucifix, an 8-meter-tall masterpiece by Ferdinand Parpan installed in 1957. The church also houses a remarkable Cavaillé-Coll organ from 1880, a treasure of sound classified as a historical monument in 1977. The chapels dedicated to the Virgin and Saint Joseph further enrich the artistic heritage of Église Saint-François-de-Sales. The Virgin Chapel houses a statue of the Assumption by Joseph-Hugues Fabisch, the sculptor behind Lyon’s iconic Fourvière Virgin. The Saint Joseph Chapel features a bas-relief by Fabisch and a painting depicting the Holy Family’s arrival in Egypt. The church’s history is further woven into the fabric of Lyon itself. The porch, a remnant of the former Visitation Sainte-Marie des Chaines convent, stands as a poignant reminder of the city’s past. As you leave Église Saint-François-de-Sales, carry with you not just the image of its grandeur, but the echoes of its layered past, a testament to the enduring power of faith, art, and resilience in the heart of Lyon.