List of learned societies of Savoy
The list of learned societies of Savoy includes the regional and local learned societies, often referred to as academies, located within the territory of Savoy.
History
The creation of these academies between 1815 and 1860 followed the return of the territories of the Duchy of Savoy to the sovereignty of the House of Savoy after the fall of the First French Empire.[1]
These societies brought together local elites, including professionals, clergy, and aristocrats, and served as spaces for the expression of a distinct cultural identity within the Sardinian state.[2]
Following the Treaty of Turin and the annexation of Savoy to France, learned societies played an increasing role in the preservation of local heritage and history. They contributed to the affirmation of the historian André Palluel-Guillard identity within the French state and are regarded by historians as an early expression of regionalism in response to national centralization.[3]
From 1878 onward, the principal academies and learned societies in Savoy began organizing regular meetings in the form of congresses to present and share their work.[4] The primary objective of these congresses was to maintain historical and cultural connections among the former provinces that make up Savoy.[5] These gatherings have been held on a biennial basis, providing a structured forum for the exchange of research and the reinforcement of regional scholarly networks.[5]
The federation of the learned societies of Savoy developed over several stages. In 1899, a proposal was made to unite the learned societies of Savoy with those of the neighboring regions of Dauphiné and Vivarais.[5] According to the "Summary Report 1928–1929–1930" of the Memoirs of the Academy of Sciences, Humanities and Arts of Savoy (1931), discussions about the creation of a federation continued, despite concerns over organizational and logistical issues.[6] On 15 April 1930, an assembly of several learned societies—including the Academy of Savoy, the Natural History Society of Savoy, the Savoyard Society of History and Archaeology, the Florimontane Academy (Annecy), the Academy of the Val d'Isère, the Society of History and Archaeology of Maurienne, the Salesian Academy, and the Chablaisian Academy—was held at the ducal castle in Chambéry to establish the Federation of the Learned Societies of Savoy.[6][5] The initiative, however, was not successful.[5]
The statutes for a future Union of the Learned Societies of Savoy were first discussed on 24 October 1970 in Albertville.[5] The association, Union of the Learned Societies of Savoy, was officially established on 9 April 1971,[5] with its headquarters in Chambéry.[5]
By 2011, membership across the affiliated societies was estimated to be between 2,000 and 3,000 individuals.[3]
Congress of the learned societies of Savoy (since 1878)
In the early years (1878–1888), the academies and learned societies met annually to present and discuss their work. From 1888 onward, these meetings were held biennially, except during periods of historical disruption between 1905–1937 and 1938–1964.[5]
List of congresses of the Learned Societies of Savoy, including the location, date, theme, and publication of the proceedings.
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Union of the learned societies of Savoy
The Union of the Learned Societies of Savoy was established in October 1970 during a meeting in Albertville involving eight academies and learned societies.[8][9] Its membership includes major regional organizations such as the Academy of Savoy, the Natural History Society of Savoy, the Florimontane Academy, the Savoyard Society of History and Archaeology, the Society of History and Archaeology of Maurienne, the Academy of the Val d'Isère, the Salesian Academy, the Chablaisian Academy, the Academy of Faucigny, the Friends of Old Annecy, and the Natural History Society of Haute-Savoie.[10]
Additional local societies have since joined the founding members, including the Friends of Old Conflans, the Friends of Old Chambéry, the Friends of Viuz-Faverges, the Friends of Old Annecy, the Friends of Old Rumilly, the Friends of Old Sallanches, the Friends of Old Chamonix, the Association for the Preservation of Landscapes and Monuments of Haute-Savoie, the Semnoz Underground Hydrology Study Group, and the Friends of the Val de Thônes.[10]
The aims of the association are:[11]
- The organization of the periodic Congresses of the Learned Societies of Savoy, the coordination of their work, and the promotion of research deemed appropriate;[11]
- The publication of unpublished scientific work presented at these congresses;[11]
- Liaison, within the framework of these congresses, with departmental, regional, and national bodies likely to provide material and moral support for the organization of these congresses and the publication of their work.[11]
The Union formalizes meetings that originated at the end of the nineteenth century. Biennial meetings continue to be held in different locations in Savoy, with specific themes included on the agenda.[12]
Learned societies and local societies
This list presents the various societies of Savoy according to the provincial division:
Savoie Propre
Learned societies
- The Academy of Savoy, Academy of Sciences, Humanities and Arts of Savoy, founded in 1820;[13]
- The Savoyard Society of History and Archaeology (SSHA), founded in Chambéry in 1855;[14]
- The Natural History Society of Savoy, founded in 1844 by Louis Rendu, a member of the Academy of Savoy, and also by Jean-Baptiste Bailly;[15]
- Savoyard Academy of Medical Sciences, founded in 1937;[16]
Local societies
- Society of Art and History of Aix-les-Bains and its region, founded in 1993;[17][18]
- Society of the Friends of Old Chambéry (Chambéry), founded in 1933;[19][20]
- Society of the Friends of Old Conflans (Savoy), founded in 1930;[21][22][23]
- Association Connaissance du canton de Bourdeau, Le Bourget-du-Lac, La Chapelle du Mont du Chat, La Motte-Servolex (Val du Bourget);[24]
- Association for the Promotion of the Beaufortain (Beaufortain), founded in 1973;[25]
- Association for Research and Mutual Assistance in Savoyard Documents and Studies (AREDES), genealogical association of Savoy (Chambéry);[26]
- Association of the Friends of Joseph and Xavier de Maistre (Chambéry), founded by Jacques Lovie, Jean Boissel, and Jean-Louis Darcel in 1975;[27]
- Association of the Friends of Montmélian and its surroundings – Friends of Montmélian (Montmélian), founded in 1976;[28][29]
- Lake Archaeology Center of Aix-en-Savoie (Aix-les-Bains), founded in 1975;[30]
- Archaeological Research Group of the Combe de Savoie (Combe de Savoie), founded in 1975;[31]
- Kronos, archaeology, history, and testimony of the Albanais concerning its part belonging to the department of Savoy, founded in 1986;[32]
- Royal Circle of Savoy, founded in 2024;[33]
Maurienne
- The Society of History and Archaeology of Maurienne, founded in 1856;[34]
- The Academy of Maurienne, founded on 15 July 2008;[35]
Local societies
- Maurienne Genealogy, founded in 1996;[36]
Tarentaise
- The Academy of the Val d'Isère, founded in 1865;[37]
Local societies
Chablais
- The Chablaisian Academy, founded in 1886;[14]
- The Institute of the Savoyard Language, founded in 2005;[40]
Local societies
- French Association of Limnology;[41]
Genevois
Learned societies
- The Florimontane Academy, founded in 1607 by Francis de Sales and President Antoine Favre, reactivated in 1851;[14]
- The Salesian Academy, founded in 1878;[14]
- La Salévienne, the Society of History of Northern Savoy (near Geneva), founded in 1984;[42]
- The Fine Arts Society of Haute-Savoie, founded in 1909;[43]
Local societies
- Genealogical Center of Savoy, founded in 1977;[44]
- The Natural History Society of Haute-Savoie, founded by Henri Juge and François Plagnat in 1954;[45]
- Society of the Friends of Old Annecy (Annecy), founded in 1932.[46][47] Recognized as an "establishment of public utility" by decree on 10 September 1970;[48]
- Friends of Viuz-Faverges (Faverges), founded in 1972, at the origin of the Viuz Museum;[49][50]
- Friends of Old Rumilly and the Albanais (Rumilly, Albanais region), founded by Louis Buttin in 1954, at the origin of the Albanais Museum;[51]
- Friends of the Val de Thônes, founded in 1975;[52][53]
- Friends of Old Seynod (Seynod), founded in 1984;[54][55]
- Society of History of the Pays de Fillière (Groisy), founded in 2003;[56]
- Mycological and Botanical Association of Annecy;[57]
- Dauphiné–Savoy Mycological and Botanical Federation;[58]
- Rhône-Alpes Association of Friends of Saint James;[59]
- Friends of Savoyard Mills;[60]
Faucigny
Local societies
- Society of the Friends of Old Chamonix, Chamonix, founded in 1969;[62][63]
- Friends of Old La Roche;[64]
- Friends of the Grande Maison, in Contamine-sur-Arve, founded in 1994;[65]
- Culture, History and Heritage of Passy and the Research and Study Center on the History of Assy, Passy;[66]
- Association of Mechanical Music of Les Gets;[67]
See also
References
- ^ Guichonnet, P (1951). "Histoire de la Savoie" [History of Savoy]. Annales. Economies, sociétés, civilisations (in French): 287. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Dufourcq, Albert (1898). "Murat et la question de l'unité italienne en 1815" [Murat and the question of Italian unity in 1815]. Mélanges d'archéologie et d'histoire (in French). 18: 207–270. doi:10.3406/mefr.1898.8171. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ a b Jacquemard, Guy (November 20, 2011). "Qui sont et à quoi servent les sociétés savantes?" [What are learned societies and what purpose do they serve?]. Le Dauphiné libéré (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Sorrel, Christian (2006). Haute-Savoie en images : 1000 ans d'histoire, 1000 images [Haute-Savoie in pictures: 1,000 years of history, 1,000 images]. Histoire de la Savoie en images : images, récits (in French). Les Marches: La Fontaine de Siloé. pp. 380–381. ISBN 978-2-84206-347-4. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Brachet & Ajacques 2017
- ^ a b "Rapport sommaire 1928-1929-1930" [Summary Report 1928-1929-1930]. Mémoires de l'Académie des sciences, belles-lettres et arts de Savoie (in French). 5 (VII). Chambéry: XV–XXIV. 1931.
- ^ "Congrès des sociétés savantes de Savoie" [Congress of Learned Societies of Savoie] (in French). Archived from the original on February 15, 2006.
- ^ The articles of association were filed in April 1971.
- ^ Committee for Historical and Scientific Works (1976). Actes du 100e Congrès national des sociétés savantes : Colloque interdisciplinaire sur les sociétés savantes, Paris 1975 [Proceedings of the 100th National Congress of Learned Societies: Interdisciplinary Symposium on Learned Societies, Paris 1975] (in French). Bibliothèque nationale de France. p. 176. ISBN 978-2-7177-1292-6.
- ^ a b "Les Sociétés Savantes de Savoie" [The Learned Societies of Savoy]. Union des Sociétés Savantes de Savoie (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ a b c d "Mentions légales" [Legal notices]. Union des Sociétés Savantes de Savoie (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Mayencourt, Gil; Cala, Sébastien; Amacher Hoppler, Anna; Hausser, Claude (2025). "Pouvoir et emprise du sport: Pour une histoire croisée du tourisme et du sport depuis le XIXe siècle" [The power and influence of sport: A comparative history of tourism and sport since the 19th century]. Anthropologica (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Visite du salon et de la bibliothèque de l'Académie des Sciences, Belles-Lettres et Arts de Savoie" [Tour of the salon and library of the Academy of Sciences, Literature, and Arts of Savoy]. Journées Européennes du Patrimoine (in French). 20 September 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e Guichonnet, Paul (2007). Nouvelle encyclopédie de la Haute-Savoie : Hier et aujourd'hui [New Encyclopedia of Haute-Savoie: Yesterday and Today] (in French). Montmélian: La Fontaine de Siloé. p. 131. ISBN 978-2-84206-374-0. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Fritsch, Robert (1997). Camille Costa de Beauregard : fondateur de l'Œuvre des Jeunes du Bocage à Chambéry, 1841-1910 : chronique d'une œuvre dans la Savoie du XIXe siècle [Camille Costa de Beauregard: founder of the Œuvre des Jeunes du Bocage in Chambéry, 1841-1910: chronicle of a work in 19th-century Savoy] (in French). La Fontaine de Siloé. p. 14. ISBN 978-2-84206-066-4. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Official website". Académie des Sciences, Belles lettres et Arts de Savoie (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Société d'art et d'histoire d'Aix-les-Bains (SAHA) - AIX-LES-BAINS" [Aix-les-Bains Art and History Society (SAHA) - AIX-LES-BAINS]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French).
- ^ "Official website" (in French). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014.
- ^ Sorrel, Christian (1992). Histoire de Chambéry [History of Chambéry] (in French). Éditions Privat. p. 246. ISBN 978-2-7089-8303-8.
- ^ "Société des amis du vieux Chambéry (SAVC) - CHAMBÉRY" [Society of Friends of Old Chambéry (SAVC) - CHAMBÉRY]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French).
- ^ Maistre, Chantal; Maistre, Gilbert (1999). Conflans : promenade historique [Conflans: historical walk] (in French). La Fontaine de Siloé. pp. IV. ISBN 978-2-84206-112-8. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Société des amis du vieux Conflans - ALBERTVILLE" [Society of Friends of Old Conflans - ALBERTVILLE]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French).
- ^ "Patrimoine Conflans" [Conflans Heritage]. Les Amis du Vieux Conflans (in French).
- ^ "Connaissance du canton de Bourdeau, Le Bourget-du-lac.... (Connaissance du canton) - LA MOTTE-SERVOLEX" [Knowledge of the canton of Bourdeau, Le Bourget-du-lac.... (Knowledge of the canton) - LA MOTTE-SERVOLEX]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Association d'animation du Beaufortain (AAB) - BEAUFORT-SUR-DORON" [Beaufortain Activities Association (AAB) - BEAUFORT-SUR-DORON]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Official website". Aredes (in French). Archived from the original on May 11, 2004. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Association des amis de Joseph et Xavier de Maistre - CHAMBÉRY" [Association des amis de Joseph et Xavier de Maistre - CHAMBÉRY]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Association des amis de Montmélian et de ses environs (Amis de Montmélian et environs) - MONTMÉLIAN" [Association of Friends of Montmélian and its Surroundings (Friends of Montmélian and Surroundings) - MONTMÉLIAN]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Official website". Amis de Montmélian et Environs (in French). Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Centre d'archéologie lacustre d'Aix-en-Savoie (CALAS) - AIX-LES-BAINS" [Aix-en-Savoie Lake Archaeology Center (CALAS) - AIX-LES-BAINS]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Groupe de recherches archéologiques de la combe de Savoie (GRACS) - MOUTIERS" [Archaeological Research Group of the Combe de Savoie (GRACS) - MOUTIERS]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Official website". Kronos (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Cercle de Savoie" [Circle of Savoy] (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Société d'histoire et d'archéologie de Maurienne (SHAM) - SAINT-JEAN-DE-MAURIENNE" [Maurienne History and Archaeology Society (SHAM) - SAINT-JEAN-DE-MAURIENNE]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Official website". Académie de Maurienne (in French). Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Qui sommes-nous ?" [Who are we?]. Maurienne Généalogie (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Académie de la Val d'Isère (ADVI) - MOUTIERS" [Val d'Isère Academy (ADVI) - MOUTIERS]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Société d'histoire et d'archéologie d'Aime (SHAAIME) - AIME" [Aime Historical and Archaeological Society (SHAAIME) - AIME]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Official website". Société d'Histoire et d'Archéologie d'Aime (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Institut de la Langue Savoyarde" [Institute of the Savoyard Language]. Institut de la Langue Savoyarde (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Association française de limnologie - THONON-LES-BAINS Cedex" [French Limnology Association - THONON-LES-BAINS Cedex]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "La Salévienne, Société d'histoire de la Savoie du nord - SAINT-JULIEN-EN-GENEVOIS" [La Salévienne, Historical Society of Northern Savoy - SAINT-JULIEN-EN-GENEVOIS]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Société des Beaux-Arts de la Haute-Savoie : registre de délibérations (4 février 1909-25 octobre 1928)" [Society of Fine Arts of Upper Savoy: minutes of meetings (February 4, 1909–October 25, 1928).]. FranceArchives (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Official website". CGS (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Société d'histoire naturelle de la Haute-Savoie (SHNHS) - ANNECY" [Natural History Society of Haute-Savoie (SHNHS) - ANNECY]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Société des amis du vieil Annecy - ANNECY" [Society of Friends of Old Annecy - ANNECY]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Official website". Amis du Vieil Annecy (in French). Archived from the original on 2008-11-06. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Associations Reconnues d'utilité publique" [Associations recognized as being of public interest] (in French). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Amis de Viuz-Faverges (AVF - Portail Archéo Viuz) - FAVERGES-SEYTHENEX" [Friends of Viuz-Faverges (AVF - Viuz Archaeology Portal) - FAVERGES-SEYTHENEX]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Official website". Archeoviuz (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Amis du vieux Rumilly et de l'Albanais (AVRA) - RUMILLY" [Friends of Old Rumilly and the Albanais Region (AVRA) - RUMILLY]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Amis du val de Thônes (AVT) - THÔNES" [Friends of the Thônes Valley (AVT) - THÔNES]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Official website". Amis du Val de Thones (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Amis du vieux Seynod - SEYNOD cedex" [Friends of Old Seynod - SEYNOD cedex]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Official website". Les Amis du Vieux Seynod (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Official website". Les Amis du Vieux Seynod (in French). Archived from the original on February 8, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Association mycologique et botanique d'Annecy (Société mycologique d'Annecy) - ANNECY" [Annecy Mycological and Botanical Association (Annecy Mycological Society) - ANNECY]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Fédération mycologique et botanique Dauphiné-Savoie - SÉVRIER" [Dauphiné-Savoie Mycological and Botanical Federation - SÉVRIER]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Association Rhône-Alpes des amis de Saint-Jacques - ANNECY" [Rhône-Alpes Association of Friends of Saint James - ANNECY]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Les amis des moulins savoyards (AMS) - CRAN GEVRIER" [Friends of Savoyard Mills (AMS) - CRAN GEVRIER]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Académie du Faucigny - TANINGES" [Faucigny Academy - TANINGES]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Société des amis du vieux Chamonix - CHAMONIX" [Society of Friends of Old Chamonix - CHAMONIX]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Official website". Association des Amis ou Vieux Chamonis (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "ASSOCIATION LES AMIS DU VIEUX LA ROCHE" [ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS OF OLD LA ROCHE]. Pappers (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Official website". Les Amis de la Grande Maison (in French). Archived from the original on December 23, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Official website". Culture, Histoire et Patrimoine de Passy (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "Association de la musique mécanique des Gets (Musée de la musique mécanique) - LES GETS" [Association of Mechanical Music in Les Gets (Museum of Mechanical Music) - LES GETS]. Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2026.
Bibliography
- Truchet, Pierre (1994). "Histoire des académies et sociétés savantes de Savoie" [History of the academies and learned societies of Savoy]. Savoie et région alpine [Savoie and the Alpine region] (in French). Paris: Actes du 116e Congrès national des sociétés savantes à Chambéry. pp. 7–15.
- Brachet, Francine; Ajacques, Jean-Paul (2017). "Les technologies numériques : instruments de création d'un réseau savant savoisien" [Digital technologies: tools for creating a Savoyard scholarly network]. Les acteurs du développement des réseaux [Network development stakeholders]. Actes des congrès nationaux des sociétés historiques et scientifiques (in French). Paris: Éditions du Comité des travaux historiques et scientifiques. pp. 27–34. ISBN 978-2-7355-0872-3.