Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes Church en Savoie

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Origin and history

The church of Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes is a Catholic religious building erected in 1965 in the commune of Thonon-les-Bains, Haute-Savoie. Designed by Savoyard architect Maurice Novarina, it is distinguished by contemporary architecture, including its bell tower separated from the main building, reminiscent of the structure of a petroleum derrick. The materials used, such as slate covering the lower and upper parts of the bell tower, highlight the three bells visible in its undressed central part.

Located avenue de Genève, in the district of La Grangette, the church is geographically close to a cave dedicated to Notre-Dame de Lourdes. This cave, adorned with ex-votos dating back to the oldest of the late 19th century, bears witness to a long tradition of Marian devotion on this site. The faithful still lay votive objects there today, symbols of prayers answered, strengthening the spiritual link between the place and the local community.

Although built in the 1960s, the church is part of a broader historical continuity, linked to the devotion to Notre-Dame de Lourdes, which appeared in France in the mid-19th century. The neighbourhood of La Grangette, where it is located, thus enjoys a double heritage: a modern religious architecture and a devout practice rooted in time. No additional information is available on the precise circumstances of its construction or its exact role in parish life.

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