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Origin and history

The Church of the Visitation-de-Notre-Dame, located in Quintal in Haute-Savoie, is considered the oldest building in the department. Its construction mainly dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries, although a Lombardy imprint on the abside suggests a possible origin from the late 10th or early 11th century. It is distinguished by its square bell tower, nave, transept and semicircular apse flanked by two apsidioles. The nave walls preserve traces of their original structure, while the bell tower and part of the building were restored and enhanced in the 19th century.

The church houses two historic bells: the oldest bell, melted in 1796 by Pitton and Paccard (350 kg), is considered the first bell of this dynasty of renowned fondeurs. The second, melted in 1817 by Antoine and Jean-Pierre Paccard, weighs 550 kg. These elements, combined with his inscription as a Historical Monument in 1986, underline his heritage and religious importance in the diocese of Annecy.

From the 14th to the 17th century, the seigneury of Quintal was linked to the Puy-en-Velay, a historical detail that sheds light on the feudal and religious context of the region. The building, owned by the municipality, today embodies a medieval architectural heritage marked by Lombard influences and subsequent transformations, while remaining an active place of worship.

Available sources, including Wikipedia and Monumentum, confirm its status as a protected monument and its central role in Savoyard heritage. Its exact address, 56 Allée des Amenières, and its Insee code (74219) anchor its history in the territory of Haute-Savoie, in the heart of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

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