Le couvent des Visitandines
Founded in 1627 by Saint Jeanne de Chantal, the house in Crémieu welcomed the Order of the Visitation, then the "Daughters of Mary" in the 19th century. This place, steeped in history, between prayers and social works, bears witness to a rich religious and charitable past.
It was in 1610 that the Order of the Visitation was founded in Annecy by Jeanne de Chantal and Saint Francis of
Sales. The Crémieu house, for its part, was founded in 1627 by Saint Jeanne de Chantal herself in
the prayer of Madame de La Poype Saint Jullin and her mother Madame de Granet.
The first nuns faced a difficult start and a devastating outbreak of plague in 1631 that forced them to flee. They returned to Crémieu to build their convent between 1632 and 1684, benefiting from support and donations.
Coming from noble families, they had a church built between 1664 and 1667, of which only a few remain today.
the bell tower.
The Revolution would signal the departure of the Visitandines and the building would be sold off in several lots. However, from 1823 onwards, the municipality gradually bought back the building and transferred the Saint Antoine hospital and then, in 1864, the refuge for the poor elderly.
A new religious occupation by the "Daughters of Mary," known as "The Philomenas," began in 1844. They established a workshop, a kind of domestic science school, an orphanage for young girls, and provided home care. A second community cared for the sick at the institution. A new chapel had been built in the meantime.
1882 to 1884.
From 1975 onwards, the last active nuns became employees of the retirement home. The last of the "Daughters of Mary" left Crémieu in 1987.
The Visitandine convent can only be visited partially via guided tour.
It is currently part of the Jeanne de Chantal nursing home.
Rankings & Labels
- Registered historic site and monument
Themes
Location details
- In the city
- In the historic center
Visit
Audio guide language(s)
Individual visit services
- Mandatory guided individual tours
Group visit services
- Mandatory guided group visits
Opening
Open only during Heritage Days, the 3rd weekend of September, by reservation only.
Exceptional Closure(s)
- 06/04/2026
Prices
Free.
Services
Equipment
Accessible tourism
Linked offers
On site:
La maison de Martinas dite des Trois Pendus
Historical site and monument
Related to:
