Annecy Favorites

Favorite thing: No one will forget their visit to Annecy. It is a one of most charming places I have ever visited. The town of Annecy is in Haute-Savoie France within the view of Mount Blanc, the highest peak in Europe. It's a very enjoyable 4-hour train ride from Paris. Annecy hugs Lac D'Annecy (lake) and has two canals that run into the town. The canals are lined with restaurants and there are flowers everywhere and you see swans glide through the water. There is a lovely park (Jardin de l'Europe) that lay between the two canals and from there the views of the lake and Mount Blanc are stunning.

Fondest memory: An evening here is spent eating at the small restaurants that line the canals and then watching street performers, who are the best I have ever seen. People stroll along the strand to watch the moon reflect in the water and sit under the trees in the park.

Favorite thing: Annecy has amazing architecture in the center of the city, combined with beautiful and tranquil canals with very clear water.

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Fondest memory: Walking around and taking in the buildings is what I enjoy doing most here. There are small hidden details in the architecture everywhere you look if you take the time to see them.

Favorite thing: Annecy once had it's own paddle steamer, "Le France". Built in 1909, it became the symbol of the lake during the Belle Epoque. In the sixties, the ship stopped sailing while the cost became too high. Also it was a terrible polluter; it needed more than a ton of charcoal / day. The ship started it's second life as café- theatre at the shore. But a certain morning in 1971 it seemed dissapeared. Divers found the ship at the bottom of the lake, along L'Impérial Palace. It still remains there, at a depth of 42 meters and is now a play ground for divers, bringing up remains.

Fondest memory: There is a whole room in the Castle-museum, dedicated to the history of this ship.

Favorite thing: This carousel is open even in off-season when it's not too cold. It's cheap and fun for the kids. It is on a spit of land along the lake shore, near the hotel de ville (mayors). It's near a lot of shopping, so is a good break for the kids in between stores!

Favorite thing: In Annecy take a look at the Palais de l'Isle, set on a small island in the middle of the canal, this building has been a prison, a mint and a court at various points in its history.

Favorite thing: We decided to rent a pedalo and explore the lake. I think it cost 30 francs for an hour, but it's well worth the price. We went so far out on the lake that it took us ages to get back and we had to pay extra. As can be seen from the photo, Sue did most of the pedalling while I worked on my tan:)

Favorite thing: Annecy has two lakes. The small lake with the canals in the heart of town and the big lake that has a view on the mountains. You can hire a boat here or a waterbike. In the city you can see nice churches and castles. For more information see the tips below :) Enjoy!

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Favorite thing: Cette flèche blanche illuminée la nuit évoque la lampe tutélaire qui semble veiller sur la ville. Cette basilique construite en 1922 ne fût achevée et consacrée qu'en 1949. Le monastère de la Visitation et la Maison Mère de l'Ordre fondée en 1610 par Saint-Francois de Sales et Sainte Jeanne de Chantal dont les reliques sont conservées dans ce sanctuaire. On compte de nos jours, 190 couvents de visitandines répartis dans le monde entier.

This illuminated white arrow the night evokes the tutelary lamp that seems to watch over the city. This basilica constructed in 1922 was finished and dedicated that in 1949. The monastery of the Visitation and the parent company of the order founded in 1610 by Saint-François de Sales and Saint Jeanne de Chantal whose relics are preserved in this sanctuary. One counts nowadays, 190 convents of visitandines distributed all over the world.