French Church

The French Church (Französische Kirche, Église française) in Bern is among the oldest surviving religious buildings in the city. It sits on Zeughausgasse in the Old Town and has served French-speaking Protestants since the 1600s.

What is the French Church?

It began in the late 1200s as the church of a Dominican friary. The order arrived in Bern in 1269, and the church was built when this area still lay outside the town walls. Today it is an active Reformed parish holding services in French. Many sources call it the oldest church in Bern.

How did its fortunes change?

During the Bernese Reformation the Dominicans were expelled and the friary buildings became a hospital. The street, once named after the order, was renamed "Beim Totentanz" in 1527. The name recalled the Dance of Death that Niklaus Manuel painted on the friars' cemetery wall in 1516–1517. The mural was lost in the 17th century.

In the 1620s the church was handed to French-speaking Protestants, among them Huguenot refugees. Sources give either 1623 or 1625. The choir spent some time as a granary, and the friary buildings were pulled down in 1899. The nave received a new west front in 1753.

What will you see inside and outside?

• The Gothic choir, dating from the 13th century and the oldest part of the building.
• The rood screen, painted in 1495 by the Master of the Carnation and his workshop. It is regarded as the church's most precious feature.
• The 18th-century west facade, noticeably different from the medieval structure.
• A bright, plain nave typical of a Reformed church.

Pair a visit with a walk through the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Zeughausgasse is a short street running from the station area toward the centre, so the church lies on the way to many other sights.

How do you get there?

From Bern main station it is a few minutes on foot toward the Old Town. Much of the centre is closed to general traffic, so arriving by train and walking is easiest. Opening hours depend on services and parish events, so check the parish website before you go.

When should you visit?

Daylight hours show the interior best, when light enters through the choir windows. The church also hosts concerts, a chance to hear a Gothic space with music. The Old Town is busiest in summer and during the Christmas season, so mornings are calmer.

Frequently asked questions

Was the French Church a Dominican church? Yes. It was built in the late 13th century for the Dominican friary and taken over by French-speaking Protestants after the Reformation.

Why is it called "French"? Since the 17th century it has housed a French-speaking Reformed congregation, which included Huguenots.

What is the most valuable thing inside? The rood screen painted in 1495 and the 13th-century Gothic choir.

Where is it? On Zeughausgasse in Bern's Old Town, close to the main station.