Annecy, France
You might be saying to yourself right now, “Annecy, France? Never heard of it.” I hadn’t either until I was looking for someplace to explore for half a day near Geneva, Switzerland. During my research, this small town, along with some pretty spectacular images, started popping up on my screen. When I discovered Annecy was very close to the Swiss border and that I could travel from Geneva to Annecy in about 45 minutes, I booked a tour. There are several options available on GetYourGuide, Viator, and TripAdvisor.
Annecy has been called the ‘Venice of the Alps’ and I’ve also seen it referred to as the ‘Pearl of the French Alps’. Why? Because Annecy has stunning scenic beauty. Annecy is famous for its pristine, crystal-clear lake, charming canals, medieval architecture and surrounded by dramatic mountain views. This town is adorned with meandering cobblestone streets, bubbling canals and pastel painted centuries old buildings adorned with flower boxes. The Old Town (La Virile Ville) is perfectly charming and you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale story. Everywhere you look, looks like a post card.
I visited in January, so the town was pretty empty of tourists. I practically had the place to myself during the morning hours and could enjoy a leisurely unimpeded stroll around the medieval Old Town, where the serene aqua blue waters flow beneath ancient stone bridges. I’ve seen reviews where people visited Annecy in the summer and they were very disappointed as it was extremely crowded; too many tourists, they couldn’t even have the luxury of taking souvenir pictures without having people getting in the shots. The weather in the summer is beautiful though, sunny & cool. So, if you decide to visit in the summer, try to get there in the morning to avoid the crowds.
The Old Town sits on the edge of Lake Annecy, France’s third-largest lake, fed by the French Alps. This lake is crystal clear; you can see right to the bottom, and the water is a remarkable shade of blue. Lake Annecy is classified as the cleanest lake in Europe due to the complete removal of all sewage discharges, and its spring-fed waters from the surrounding mountains are filtered by the limestone rocks. During warmer weather, there are plenty of water activities; you can take a cruise on the lake, rent a paddle boat to explore the lake, and enjoy the lakefront beach for a swim, among other things. Even during the chill of January, there where people paddle boarding on the lake.
There are 28 historic sights to visit in Annecy and just enough shops and cafés. There is the often photographed Palais de l’Isle, a 12th-century prison and landmark located on an islet in the Canal du Thiou. Also, Annecy has its very own castle: Château d’Annecy, once home to the Counts and Dukes; it is now a museum. Some significant WWII history happened at the château too. There are several historic churches as well, so enough sights to keep you busy for a few hours if you don’t include any water or lake activities. Annecy was a picturesque and relaxing getaway for me. The natural beauty and historic sights were worth the visit.
