Thusy is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, 20 km northwest of Annecy.
Its territory of 10.7 km² belongs to the Albanian country, within the Pre-Alps, between Lake Annecy to the east and Lake Bourget and the Rhône valley to the west.
Crossed by the course of the Morge, which turns into a torrent depending on the season, the locality oscillates from 377 to 728 m above sea level and has preserved a green environment. It is covered by arable land (42% of its surface area), forests (23%) and various agricultural areas (23%).
Already occupied during Antiquity (a Roman monetary treasure was unearthed in the 19th century), the stronghold of Thusy is mentioned in the 9th century, given to the abbey of Tournus by King Boson of Provence.
Subsequently, the population of the village and the surrounding countryside spanned the centuries by engaging in agriculture. As for the local minor nobility, they also devoted themselves to their lands, when they were not decimated by wars or ruined by the costs generated by the need to appear at the court of Savoy, in Turin.
Note that for a time, the hamlet of Sallongy, to the east, had its own chapel (already ruined in the 18th century) before being fully integrated into the parish of Thusy.
Today, the heritage and preserved living environment of the town charm its approximately 1,200 residents as well as passing vacationers...
The Saint-Jean-Baptiste church is the main heritage site of the town of Thusy. Remodeled over the centuries, the current building was rebuilt in 1825, however, integrating an earlier bell tower (17th and 18th centuries) designed by the architect Pierre Cheneval. The church has a Sardinian neoclassical style, with a single nave. The interior was renovated starting in 1956 by the renowned architect Maurice Novarina, from Thonon. It is to him that we owe the main altar made from blocks extracted from the Chomerac quarries, in Ardèche. The stones of the niche of the tabernacle were cut by René Mollard, and we note that the tabernacle itself, as well as the candlesticks and the cross are in solid bronze: they were made by François Hugo (rear small -son of the poet). The details of these works are remarkable: the different faces of the tabernacle are decorated with liturgical motifs and blocks of rock crystal are set between the stem and the arms of the cross. The stained glass windows of the choir, moreover, designed by the painter Louis Favre and made by the master glassmaker Louis Barille, are also very well made, as are those of the nave, signed François Hugo (the diamond-shaped tiles have yellow tints). of different shades). Finally, we will note the quality of the Stations of the Cross carved in the form of bas-reliefs in white stone by Constant Demaison.
In terms of heritage, again, the Sallongy cross established as a testimony to the hamlet chapel destroyed in 1720, the four-hundred-year-old lime tree near the town church, can also appear on the route of a route discovery. Just like the old fortified houses of La Biolle (16th century), Charrière Haut (18th century), Bouchet or Planchamp (14th century). Some have in fact preserved some elements of noble architecture. However, it is at the place called Châtelard that the most attractive residence stands: General Burnod, born in Thusy in 1813, had a bourgeois home built there on the site of a very old fortified house. We notice the Italian-inspired facade with its wooden baluster loggia.
Some old mills including that of Foraz (18th century) are finally worth mentioning.
On the cultural side, shows and association events are regularly hosted in the village and association hall: information at the town hall on +33 4 50 69 67 51. Activities are also scheduled at the library: contact +33 9 62 55 66 59.
In another register, a multi-sport field is available to young people... or those not so young!
The bucolic landscapes of the Albanian countryside, with the hillsides of the Pre-Alps and the green plains, with the mountain peaks in the background, obviously lend themselves to beautiful hikes or circuits dedicated to mountain bikers. The opportunity to discover along the way the farms and herds which produce milk (transformed into Emmental cheese in the neighboring town of Vallières).
For the more courageous, routes lead to Annecy and its lake to the east but also, to the west, to Lac du Bourget and the famous ViaRhôna, a secure route for two wheels along the Rhône, which connects Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean. Maps and information on +33 4 50 64 58 32.
The first Sunday in October, trail of the lime tree (24 km) and trail of the mill (12 km).
The first Sunday of each month, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., farmers' market.
