Basilique Notre-Dame
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What's on here
Why go
- The via Jacobi pilgrimage route ends here, and the via Gebennensis towards Santiago de Compostela begins.
- A white Carrara marble statue of the Immaculate Conception, donated by Pope Pius IX in 1859.
- Built on land provided by the city, with local Catholics contributing donations and manual work.
Don't miss
- Statue of the Immaculate ConceptionCarlo Maria Forzani sculpted the statue, which received its ceremonial crowning in 1937.Central ambulatory chapel
- Stained-glass windowsLook for three rose windows and 13 early windows in the apse chapels and ambulatory. Artists include Claudius Lavergne, Alexandre Cingria, Maurice Denis and Théodore Strawinsky.Apse chapels and ambulatory
- OrganBuilt in 1992 by Manufacture d’orgues St.-Martin in Chézard-Saint-Martin, the organ has 41 stops, three manuals and a pedalboard.Church1992
- Eastern portal towerNotice how the tower stops just above the roof ridge, at its third floor.Eastern portal
Know before you go
- Monday: 08:30–19:30
- Tuesday–Friday: 06:30–19:30
- Saturday: 07:30–20:00
- Sunday: 07:00–21:30
Services and visiting hours
- English-language worship
- Mass and Rosary on Sunday evenings, offered for American pilgrims.
Interesting facts2
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The Latin motto Nuntia Pacis means “Messenger of Peace.”
Basilique Notre-Dame de Genève - Wikipedia -
The basilica is a Swiss cultural property of national importance.
Basilique Notre-Dame de Genève - Wikipedia
Shorts
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Basilique Notre Dame de Genève. Quelle architectureÉCHANGE&PARTAGE
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History
After 1535, Geneva’s churches became Calvinist and public practice of other faiths was banned. An 1801 concordat between Pius VII and Napoleon required the cantonal government to allow a Roman Catholic church in the city. Alexandre Grigny designed the church, built between 1852 and 1857. Its first rector, Gaspard Mermillod, was the project’s leading supporter; Pope Pius IX donated 1,000 crowns toward construction.
- 1852The cornerstone was laid on 8 September. Construction began on the site of former city fortifications.
- 1857The church was dedicated on 4 October, with Gaspard Mermillod preaching.
- 1859Étienne Marilley consecrated the building on 8 September.
- 1859–1860The statue of the Immaculate Conception was installed on 28 December 1859 and consecrated on 5 February 1860.
- 1875Government forces occupied and closed the church on 5 June after an anticlerical government came to power.
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- 1911–1912The Catholic Church bought the building in 1911. The Roman Catholic community regained it in 1912 after paying 200,000 francs.
- 1954François Charrière announced its elevation to minor basilica status on behalf of Pope Pius XII on 5 December.
Sources: Basilica of Our Lady of Geneva - Wikipedia · Basilique Notre-Dame de Genève - Wikipedia · Notre-Dame de Genève - Wikipedia · checked 30 Sep 2026
- Website
- ecr-ge.ch/notre-dame/
- Phone
- +41 22 716 56 66
Questions and answers
How can I contact Basilique Notre-Dame?
Call +41 22 716 56 66.
Who championed the construction of Basilique Notre-Dame?
Its first rector, Gaspard Mermillod, later a cardinal, was the project’s leading supporter.
Did the pope help fund Basilique Notre-Dame?
Pope Pius IX contributed 1,000 crowns toward construction.
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