Enchanting Annecy - ours to discover
The French Alps have long ceased to be a well-kept secret when it comes to the most spectacular scenery, best skiing and friendliest locals in all of France. Nonetheless it is surprising at how few foreigners travel to the region of Haute Savoie and its capital Annecy. International visitors still tend to focus on Paris and the South of France and few venture into the Alps, unless it is for skiing in the Chamonix, Mt. Blanc area. Even nearby Geneva, one of my least favorite cities in all of Europe, tends to attract more of an international crowd because of the United Nations.
Don't get me wrong, visitors DO flock to Annecy and it is highly touristic, but 85% of them are French - so the city and nearby lake cater predominantly to the domestic market. In addition, the town of Annecy has a highly dynamic local infrastructure both as a busy market town, manufacturing center and gateway to the French Alps.
What makes Annecy truly outstanding, however, is its scenic location in the Alps, on the shores of Lac d'Annecy and on the banks of the THIOU river - along with its magnificent architecture and well-preserved Old Town. As the center of the Counter-Reformation, the city in addition boasts a high number of beautiful catholic churches attesting to its reputation as the "Rome of the Savoie". With a population of 130 000, Annecy is also a highly diverse and multi-faceted urban area featuring quaint quiet corners with small-town feel and in other parts, modern shopping malls or busy highways and even less tastefully developed industrial districts.
So how to make best use of our time in Annecy? The best advice would be to come during a market day, including Sundays, when vendors from all over flock to the medieval pedestrianized inner city to set up base and sell their local produce including wine, cheese, fruit, vegetables and many unique regional specialties. While almost following cliche impressions of how visitors from abroad may view France, the entire set-up is quintessentially French, authentic and thus culturally enriching, with market vendors shouting out to advertise their merchandise and Annecy residents patiently standing in long lines for their baguettes at the local bakery. Unique, colorful, authentic and picturesque motifs beckon at every turn as crowds slowly push forward through the narrow cobble stone pedestrian area of Old Town Annecy in the direction of the landmark monument of the town, the PALACE OF THE ISLE - Palais de l'Ille.
Among the most photographed momunents in all of France, the Palace of the Isle from the 12th century has seen many a use over the centuries, including local hospital, jail and town hall. It sits quaintly on a small island surrounded by two branches of the Thiou river in relative proximity to the lakefront of Lake Annecy.
So following the overcrowded market area in the pedestrian zone, nothing better to do than venture along the THIOU on the extensive river walks - heading inland for a good 1-2 kilometers along carefully manicured park areas and terraces - and then back in the direction of Lake Annecy as far as the Boat Pier, where regular Lake Cruises depart from. A highly recommended activity for a sunny afternoon, a cruise on Lac d'Annecy is unique and scenically magnificent, as there are few lakes in the Alps with such pristine water and steep 7000 feet high mountain ranges within such close proximity to the lakefront.
Following our visit to the weekly market in Old Town, a stroll on the Thiou river front and a lake cruise on Lac d'Annecy, we then embark on the "secret Annecy" walking tour suggested by the local tourist authority, including various churches such as St. Maurice and the Cathedral of St. Pierre, numerous inner courtyards nearby and small hidden side alley linking these churches to the main pedestrian zone, RUE CARNOT, leading as far north as the city's modern shopping mall and SNCF train station.
No better way to wind up our enchanting time in Annecy than to sit by the river front at a nice sidewalk cafe or restaurant enjoying a good glass of local wine and fresh catch from the lake. And if you overnight in Annecy, by far the most spectacular day of the year is the local summer solstice celebration throughout France, FETE DE LA LUMIERE with huge music performances, live outdoor acts and dancing all over the city and the lake front. Given all its beauty, charm and ambience, Annecy truly marks the best of what France can be!
Don't get me wrong, visitors DO flock to Annecy and it is highly touristic, but 85% of them are French - so the city and nearby lake cater predominantly to the domestic market. In addition, the town of Annecy has a highly dynamic local infrastructure both as a busy market town, manufacturing center and gateway to the French Alps.
What makes Annecy truly outstanding, however, is its scenic location in the Alps, on the shores of Lac d'Annecy and on the banks of the THIOU river - along with its magnificent architecture and well-preserved Old Town. As the center of the Counter-Reformation, the city in addition boasts a high number of beautiful catholic churches attesting to its reputation as the "Rome of the Savoie". With a population of 130 000, Annecy is also a highly diverse and multi-faceted urban area featuring quaint quiet corners with small-town feel and in other parts, modern shopping malls or busy highways and even less tastefully developed industrial districts.
So how to make best use of our time in Annecy? The best advice would be to come during a market day, including Sundays, when vendors from all over flock to the medieval pedestrianized inner city to set up base and sell their local produce including wine, cheese, fruit, vegetables and many unique regional specialties. While almost following cliche impressions of how visitors from abroad may view France, the entire set-up is quintessentially French, authentic and thus culturally enriching, with market vendors shouting out to advertise their merchandise and Annecy residents patiently standing in long lines for their baguettes at the local bakery. Unique, colorful, authentic and picturesque motifs beckon at every turn as crowds slowly push forward through the narrow cobble stone pedestrian area of Old Town Annecy in the direction of the landmark monument of the town, the PALACE OF THE ISLE - Palais de l'Ille.
Among the most photographed momunents in all of France, the Palace of the Isle from the 12th century has seen many a use over the centuries, including local hospital, jail and town hall. It sits quaintly on a small island surrounded by two branches of the Thiou river in relative proximity to the lakefront of Lake Annecy.
So following the overcrowded market area in the pedestrian zone, nothing better to do than venture along the THIOU on the extensive river walks - heading inland for a good 1-2 kilometers along carefully manicured park areas and terraces - and then back in the direction of Lake Annecy as far as the Boat Pier, where regular Lake Cruises depart from. A highly recommended activity for a sunny afternoon, a cruise on Lac d'Annecy is unique and scenically magnificent, as there are few lakes in the Alps with such pristine water and steep 7000 feet high mountain ranges within such close proximity to the lakefront.
Following our visit to the weekly market in Old Town, a stroll on the Thiou river front and a lake cruise on Lac d'Annecy, we then embark on the "secret Annecy" walking tour suggested by the local tourist authority, including various churches such as St. Maurice and the Cathedral of St. Pierre, numerous inner courtyards nearby and small hidden side alley linking these churches to the main pedestrian zone, RUE CARNOT, leading as far north as the city's modern shopping mall and SNCF train station.
No better way to wind up our enchanting time in Annecy than to sit by the river front at a nice sidewalk cafe or restaurant enjoying a good glass of local wine and fresh catch from the lake. And if you overnight in Annecy, by far the most spectacular day of the year is the local summer solstice celebration throughout France, FETE DE LA LUMIERE with huge music performances, live outdoor acts and dancing all over the city and the lake front. Given all its beauty, charm and ambience, Annecy truly marks the best of what France can be!
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