Palais de l'Isle

The Palais de l’Île is a small medieval building in Annecy that has served many functions over the centuries, and is closely linked to the history of France. In the Middle Ages, all that stood on this small rocky island in the Thiou was a fortified house, occasionally used as a prison. In the 14th century, it also housed a monetary workshop, before being transformed into a princely residence.

In the 16th century, it was used as a courthouse and prison. From 1550, it also housed the Chambre des Comptes du Genevois, an independent jurisdiction of the Chambre des Comptes de Savoie.The Palais de l’Île remained a prison until the French Revolution.

It then housed administrative offices, was transformed into a barracks and then a warehouse, and even became an old people’s home before becoming a barracks again. To be saved, the palace was listed as a historic monument in 1900. During the Second World War, it was once again used as a prison.

Today, it houses the Centre d’Interprétation de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine. The CIAP is a museographic space dedicated to the architecture and heritage of the Annecy region. Temporary exhibitions are held here on a regular basis.

Address
Passage de l'Île 3, Annecy, France

Established
12th century