The Huguenot community in Bern
29 August 2023
This year marks 400 years since services in French were first held in Bern’s former Dominican church since then known as the French Church (l’église française de Berne).
The anniversary looks back at the great waves of Huguenot emigration in the 17th century and the role of this French-speaking Protestant community in the city of Bern. This history is also a current challenge: bringing languages and cultures together and connecting them.
The festivities will take place from Sunday, 27 August to 1 October 2023.
(Source and further information: die französische Kirche Bern)
See also: Stiftung VIA-Auf den Spuren der Hugenotten und Waldenser
The French Church of Bern
The church is the oldest preserved church in Bern. It was built around 1300 for the Dominican monastery, founded in 1269. Since 1623, it has been the church of the French-speaking Protestants.
The Dominicans were expelled from Bern during the Reformation, and the monastery became a hospital. Reformed worship in French was introduced at that time at the request of the French maréchal Louis de Champagne, Comte de la Suze (1573-1637). He donated a fund to maintain the French service on his departure from Bern.
The nave received a new west façade and round-arched windows in 1753. The choir dates from the 13th century. The north side is windowless in the middle because the monastery adjoined here. The monastery was demolished in 1899. The stage between the nave and choir shows paintings from around 1495.
