A propos
In Passy, the most beautiful pages of history and art have been written in an exceptional mountain environment, in the sunshine of the slopes of the Fiz mountain range, facing Mont-Blanc.
> Plateau d'Assy: a cultural mecca
Backed by the fortress of Les Fiz, the town's high plateaux were once home to one of Europe's largest climatic resorts. The site is at the origin of several revolutions in the following fields:
- modern architecture: whether converted into medical centers, vacation resorts or apartments, the former sanatoriums illustrate the genius of 20th-century architecture, a new aesthetic of housing without artifice. Widely publicized in the international press of the time, this architecture is once again being showcased: 3 buildings have been awarded the "Patrimoine du XXe siècle" label: Praz-Coutant, Guébriant and Martel de Janville, the latter being listed as a Monument Historique.
- Modern art: The Plateau d'Assy church, consecrated in 1950, evokes the traditional houses firmly anchored to the ground, which architect Maurice Novarina flanked with a bell tower whose elevation leads the eye right up to the peaks of the Fiz mountain range. The large, colorful mosaic Léger designed for the façade hints at an exceptional interior design. Indeed, the canon was to revive the church's tradition of supporting living artists. Betting on genius, he invited the greatest modern artists to illustrate biblical themes and Christian history, including Chagall and Matisse, to name but a few.
- contemporary sculpture: the contemporary sculpture route was inspired by a major artistic event, to accompany the Plateau d'Assy's transformation, and its vocation in terms of well-being, art and tourism: "Sculptures en montagne, poème dans l'espace" (J.-P. Lemesle, J.-P. Bouvier, 1973). Five works by the most inspired sculptors of the 20th century have remained on our territory. They speak to us of sun and space, sources of life, men and their conquests, and festivals. Over the years since 1989, a dozen sculptures have populated the 15 km-long road linking the plain to the Plaine-Joux estate. They evoke the passing of time, the chaos of history, war, peace and human rights, matter, technology, the industrial era and the working class.
See also:
- Le Jardin des Cimes: a unique place of nature and culture, where you can discover the world of the Alps and the world's vegetable gardens.
> Chedde and Marlioz:
In 1896, the Chedde electrometallurgical plant transformed the rural hamlet into a working-class housing estate.
- Saint-Joseph church (1934)
Founded by Abbé Berger and built by G. Benezech, the 1st reinforced concrete church in the Annecy diocese is logically dedicated to the patron saint of artisans and workers.
The stained glass windows and mosaics are by one of the most representative artists of the Art Deco movement: R. Lardeur.
- Also worth seeing
- La cité des Nids et Jardins (1942-55), a major legacy of Passau's
industrial and social history of Passy, translated by architect
Henry Jacques Le Même.
- La Cascade de Coeur: immortalized by V. Hugo, this waterfall
once powered mills and sawmills.
- Les Viaducs des égratz, access to the Chamonix valley.
- The Parvis des Fiz, a sleek structure clad in douglas fir
douglas fir, echoing the crest of the Fiz (Beckmann - N'Thépé agency).
- The Tournesol swimming pool, looking like a flying saucer.
- The Mountain Store center, with its contemporary architecture.
> The main town and its hills :
- Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul church
From Roman times, through the centuries when Passy was successively the object of all kinds of covetousness, the church of Passy invites us on an extraordinary journey through time. Highlights include the church's historic monuments, Roman ex-votos, Baroque and neoclassical decor, the preaching pulpit, the rare baptismal font and stoup, the high altar and its polychrome gilded altarpiece with twisted columns, the side altars and stalls.
Also of note
- The Town Hall, built in the Second Empire, typical of the neo-classical style.
- The Chef-lieu school, with its large windows, skylights and wood cladding, subtly blends tradition and modernity.
Not forgetting :
- The recently restored church of Saint Donat des Plagnes, with its beautiful main altarpiece, stalls and chandeliers protected as Monuments Historiques.
- Nearby, the facsimile of the Roman milestone at Col de la Forclaz (74 A.D.), the original of which is a few meters further down, in front of the former Hôtel des Panoramas.
Services & Equipement
- Car park
- Parking nearby
- Free car park
Ouverture
All year round, daily.
Tarifs
Free access.
Langues parlées
- French