The charming French town of Annecy, comfortably located in the east of the country, has long conquered the hearts of tourists. And this is not surprising. It is located on the shores of the lake of the same name in the department of Haute-Savoie, where the border of France and Switzerland lies.
Annecy is surrounded on all sides by Alpine mountains. From here to Geneva is a stone's throw, less than 50 km. The landscapes here are mesmerizing. And this town, decorated with many flowers, became famous as the “Venice of Savoy”. After all, its ancient streets with medieval buildings and numerous churches in the Venetian style are cut by canals and streams flowing from the lake; a castle of the 12th century rises here.
This resort town has a distinctive feature - a special atmosphere of peace, for which tourists come here.
Like any resort town, Annecy has an attraction that no tourist can ignore. This is a medieval palace nestled in the historical center on a small island in the middle of the Thieu Canal. The original architectural design makes this ancient building of the 12th century, facing the center of the canal and decorated with beautiful turrets, attractive to every tourist. Against the backdrop of the island palace Palais de L'Isle, everyone is sure to take a photo as a souvenir.
Now this ancient castle houses a local museum, and once it was the residence of the ruler of Annecy, there was a court within its walls, and the castle also served as a prison. Together with the embankment houses on both sides of the canal with the island palace, this cityscape looks very romantic.
Location: 3 – Passage de l’Île.
One of the most ancient temples in Annecy is the Church of Saint Maurice. This Gothic structure is located near the island palace. The construction of this Dominican church dates back to the mid-15th century.
Of interest to tourists are the interior interiors of the temple with unique paintings that decorated the church immediately after its construction was completed. By the way, Saint Maurice is the patron saint of this city.
Location: Rue Saint-Maurice.
Annecy is a town that requires walking. Walking will help you see many interesting places. From the Thieu Canal, where the Palais de L'Isle is located, it is very close to Rue Rousseau, where you should definitely stop by to admire the late Gothic style of St. Peter's Cathedral.
It was erected in the 16th century and became central to the bishopric of this city. The street bears the name of the great French educator Jean-Jacques Rousseau, of course, not by chance. In his youth, Rousseau lived in Annecy and even participated in the choir of this cathedral, where he studied music. Years later, Rousseau spoke about life in this town in his famous “Confession.” Next to the cathedral there is a former episcopal palace, today there is a conservatory in it, and they also teach dancing here.
Location: 8 - Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
In the very center of Annecy, next to Rue Carnot, there is a well preserved, which was built in the mid-15th century by the Knights of the Order of Saint Jean. It has become a kind of iconic place where locals make meetings and dates.
This round ancient water source, located next to the church, was improved and decorated in the 17th century, turning it into a kind of fountain. You can still drink water from it today. It is curious that the members of the local municipality who improved the well immortalized their names on it.
Rue Carnot continues with Rue Notre Dame; you need to walk along it to visit another of Annecy’s many churches - Notre Dame de Lies. It was built in the 16th century, but then was destroyed.
This temple was restored in the 19th century. You must definitely go inside to admire the unusual altar of this church with sculptures of saints.
Location: Passage Notre Dame.
Like any ancient city, Annecy has an ancient castle with towers. It stands on a high hill, towering above the city buildings. It belonged to the Counts of Geneva, who built it at the beginning of the 13th century. When these lands went to France, the castle housed barracks for several centuries. Today, within its ancient walls there is a local history museum, a collection of paintings and an observatory. Therefore, tourists should visit here.
Location: Place du chateau.
And then it makes sense to go down to Rue Saint-Clair to fully experience the charm of this town. It is on this street that you can admire the bright facades of ancient houses with quaint balconies and windows, walk under the arcades, where there is brisk trade in small shops and shops, and cozy restaurants. Once a week, a market takes place on Saint-Clair, offering goods for every taste.
Here, on Place Saint-Clair, near one of the arcades, you can see the small Kibere fountain. This water source was built in the first half of the 17th century. It is curious because it depicts a fish, this is the symbol of Annecy - trout. Moreover, you can also find trout in the design of residential buildings; they love symbolism here.
What would a city on the water be without the Lovers' Bridge! Annecy also has it. True, not as old as other sights of the city; this metal bridge was built at the beginning of the 20th century across the Vasse Canal. But this does not in any way affect its popularity among young people and tourists.
People make dates here, people come here to admire the wonderful view of the canal framed by dense treetops. The bridge is decorated with a forged openwork lattice. After passing through it, you can take a walk in a wonderful European park.
The resort of Annecy is also a magnificent lake among the Alpine peaks, where tourists spend their time with great pleasure. They are captivated by the picturesque landscapes and the opportunity to travel along the lake on foot or by bicycle.
However, it is quite possible to take a trip around the lake by bus, have a snack in a cozy restaurant on the shore, and breathe in the purest alpine air. And although Lake Annecy stretches for less than two dozen kilometers, there are more than enough opportunities to enjoy the amazing surface and purity of its water. There are beaches and sports towns here, and you can simply admire the unique beauty of nature. No wonder Lake Annecy is considered one of the best attractions in Haute-Savoie.
Hotel de Sales
Rue du Paquier, where the former private Hotel de Sales(Hôtel de Sales) - a red building with white arcades and a cast-iron balcony - was built at the end of the 17th century by the grandnephew of Francis de Sales. On the façade of the building you can see busts of the 4 seasons and a bust of Night, facing east. Note the beautiful gates and the artistic iron balcony with intertwined laurel leaves, a symbol of eternity, and the massive letters BMS for Benoit Maurice de Sales.
Before the urban changes of the late 18th century, the street ended at the junction with the Rue Carnot, in front of the façade of the Church of Saint John of Jerusalem. In 1822, Rue Royale was built here.
Well of St. Zhana
Well of St. Zhana exists today and is reminiscent of the monks of the Order of St. John, known as the “Cavaliers of Malta.” On the side stone of the well you can read the names of the members of the municipality of Annecy who contributed to the renovation work of the city in 1689.
Notre-Dame de Liesse
Turn left rue Notre Dame. From the first Church of Notre Dame de Lies(Notre-Dame de Liesse) only the 16th century bell tower remains. The church, destroyed during the Revolution, was restored in neoclassical style in 1850. Pay attention to the main altar - a real creation of architecture.
To the left of the church is the former Town Hall, which became the dwelling of the priest; with the image of a trout from the coat of arms of the city of Annecy.
Eglise Saint-Maurice
St. Maurice Church– an old Dominican church built in the 15th century. It is located in one of the most picturesque corners of the city on the St. Dominic Canal. In the choir you can see the painted, imaginary grave of Philibert de Montu (1458), adviser to the Savoy and Burgundian dukes, a local nobleman. The ecclesiastical chairs with backs date from the late 18th century, and the altar held by the colossus dates from 1715.
Church of St. Maurice occupied a central place in city life in the 15th and 16th centuries. Professional guilds and influential officials built chapels. You can see the draper's scissors on the window frame of the second chapel to the right of the church.
Saint Maurice is the patron saint of the city and Savoy.
Eglise Saint Francois
Church of St. Francis(Eglise Saint Francois) - occupies the site of the church of the first monastery of the Visitation order, founded by Francis de Sales and Jeanne de Chantal in 1610. It was rebuilt in 1644 in the architectural style of the Counter-Reformation. Until the end of the 18th century, it served as a room where the graves of its founders were located. In 1795, due to the abolition of clergy property, the monastery and church were converted into a printed calico factory.
Restored in the 1990s, the church was annexed to the Italian community in 1923. The large altar of the church choir is a reconstruction of the 19th century. The altars of the lateral chapels and the gilded statue of Jeanne de Chantal are fine examples of the 18th century Baroque style.
Place aux Bois
On Square Eau Bois, where lumber and firewood were once stored, now stands a statue of Francis de Sales, surrounded by his books. The holy Bishop of Geneva, born in the town of Toran in 1567, wrote a huge number of works dedicated to his vision of the world. The Catholic Church has declared him the patron saint of journalists and writers.
The large porch shows the church of the second Monastery de la Visitation, built in the period 1634-1636. Nowadays, this monastery houses the monastery of the sisters of St. Joseph.
La Maison de la Galerie
A little further along the rue de la Providence is La Maison de la Galerie. It was there that Francis de Sales and Jeanne de Chantal established the Order de la Visitation in 1910. In addition to the modest chapel and cell of Jeanne de Chantal, there is a monastery courtyard and garden.
Palais dole
Continue on to the Faubourg des Annonciades, pass through Port Perrières and you will reach Palais de Lisle - Annecy's main attraction.
On the bridge in front of the entrance to the building on the left you can see part of the Tiu Canal, surrounded on both sides by houses whose facades go under water. They reflect the appearance of the old city, as they were here even before the construction of the embankments. Le Palais de L'Isle was for several centuries a palace of justice and a prison. Now there are exhibitions of architecture and old things, and you can also visit former prison cells. The oldest part of the building dates back to the 17th century. From the embankment of the diocese you can see the water gate.
Turn right into Passage de Celestin.
Cathedrale Saint-Pierre
Towers before you St. Peter's Cathedral. It was built in 1535 to receive Franciscans. Soon after this, it became a temporary refuge for the Genevan bishops hiding in Annecy from the Protestant reform. The facade of the church is made in the Renaissance style. Inside is an 18th-century throne depicting Francis de Sales preaching before the Senate of Savoy. He was the Genevan bishop of Annecy between 1601 and 1622. The lateral altar was presented as a gift. In the stained glass windows of the apse (1933) you can trace the life of Francis de Sales.
In 1780, renovation work was carried out using architectural finishing plaster imitating marble. You can admire the paintings “The Liberation of St. Peter Mazzola” (1781) and “The Entombment” - inspired by the famous artist Caravaggio.
As you exit the cathedral, facing you will be a statue of St. Peter, which adorns the music school for training church choristers, where Jean-Jacques Rousseau studied music as a teenager. On the right is the Lambert residence (16th century), where Francis de Sales lived. Next door to the cathedral is the Episcopal Palace (late 18th century), which now houses a conservatory and dance school. You can enter the building. Note the canopy above the front door, which depicts a series of oval engravings by artist Claude Vial (1991).
In the courtyard of the Episcopal Palace there was once a small house where Madame de Warens, whom Rousseau met in 1728, lived. She was 28 years old, he was only 16. A small monument, Golden railing post, keeps memories of this meeting.
Rue de la République
Cross the small bridge that takes you into the Episcopal Garden, then walk along the Quai Madame de Warens (wooden footbridge) and turn left onto Republic Street. From here you have a stunning view of the Thu Canal. Barrier shields direct water flows to the turbine of the cotton manufactory (1804 - 1955).
Place Sainte Claire
On St. Clare Square there is an ensemble of recently built real estate, the remains of a cotton manufactory founded in 1804 in the old monastery of de Claris. At the foot of the arcade span is located Kibere fountain(1635). Pay attention to the trout - the symbol of the city. To the right of the gate of St. Clara's, the Gallo house retains a beautiful 18th-century façade.
To the left of the gate of St. Clara takes the steep climb of the Nemours road, which climbs along the former city fortifications and leads to the castle.
Chateau d'Annecy
Annecy Castle was founded by the counts of Geneva, who stayed there since 1219. After the purchase of the Genevan province by Savoy in 1401, in the 16th century the castle became the residence of the Dukes of Genevois-Nemours. From the end of the 17th century until 1940, the castle housed barracks, and today the castle premises house the castle museum and the Regional Observatory of the Alpine Lakes (ROAO).
The entrance to the castle was fortified in the 16th century with a trench around the castle. The castle gates were protected by a palisade and a drawbridge. The huge Queen's Tower, one of the oldest parts of the castle, dates back to the 13th century. During archaeological excavations, defensive structures were found.
Then you can go down to the left of the castle ramp and see the towering towers Cathedrals of St. Paul and St. Petra. Opposite you, under the arcades, pay attention to the strange leaning door, which is in this condition due to subsidence of the ground.
You can walk along the road Tour de la Renne(Queen's Tower), then along Avenue de la Visitacion.
Basilique de la Visitation
Monastery and Basilica Visitación tower over you with their impressive dimensions. The Visitacion sisters settled in the monastery in 1911. The construction of the church, which has a functioning bell tower, was completed in the early 30s of the twentieth century. It was consecrated in 1949 and began operating as a basilica in 1951. Inside the cathedral you can admire stained glass windows depicting the lives of Francis de Sales and Jeanne de Chantal. They are both buried in sarcophagi made of gilded copper.
In the small museum next door you will see luxurious sarcophagi containing wax figures dressed in traditional costumes. A beautiful panorama of the city opens from the esplanade. From this point it is possible to appreciate the development of Annecy, which had 12,894 inhabitants in 1896 to a settlement with more than 138,000 inhabitants now.
At the foot of the Alps, covered with snow caps on the border of Switzerland and France, there is the resort of Annecy. Annecy is the center of the Haute-Savoie department. The department is adjacent to Italy from the east, and Switzerland from the north. Thus, French and Italian cultures are intertwined here; Annecy has been part of France only since 1860. Annecy is located 85 km north of Grenoble, 45 km south of Geneva. The population of the city itself is 50 thousand people, and with agglomerations there are more than 200 thousand.
The medieval origin of the city can be easily judged by the appearance of the old part:
A classic mountain-lake resort, called the Venice of Savoy due to the presence in the city center of the Canal du Thiou, connecting the lake and the Fieux River (the canal is a natural branch of Lake Annecy towards the Fieux River):
Medieval Palace on the Island
The most popular place in Annecy is a small island in the middle of the canal, where there is a medieval castle that grew right out of the water:
It is called the Palace on the Island (Palais de L`isle). Its history is as follows - in the 12th–13th centuries it belonged to the owners of the island, vassals of the counts of Geneva. Then for some time it served as the princely residence of Helen of Luxembourg (wife of Jean, Count of Geneva), the palace of justice, the chamber of accounts, and was even a prison. Due to the position in the middle of the canal and the surrounding comfort, in fact, the charm of this place is formed. Well, the age, of course, is impressive - the palace-castle was built in 1132 and has not been significantly updated since then. Inside it now houses the Annecy History Museum with a local history exhibition.
Castle of the Counts of Geneva and Rue Saint-Clair
Also, the main attraction of the city is the castle of the Counts of Geneva, standing on a hill (built from the 12th to the 16th centuries). View of the castle from the pier and embankment:
This is the junior branch of the future House of Savoy. The huge Queen's Tower (the thickness of the walls reaches 4 and a half meters) is one of the oldest parts of the castle and dates back to the 13th century.
The castle was often subject to fires in the 17th century. was abandoned. Later served as a barracks. But in 1953 it was finally seized by the city authorities and restored. Inside there is the Museum of Modern Art and a local history museum - archeology, Savoyard folk art, paintings, furniture. The Perrier Tower has a popular science collection (an aquarium with fish from the lake, a model of the lake and mountains, fishing gear). This is the oldest part of the castle (1445) with walls four meters thick.
At the foot of the castle is Rue Sainte-Claire with many shops and a romantic medieval gate:
Church of St. Mauritius, Bishop's Palace and St. Peter's Basilica
In the city center, opposite the city hall, stands the Church of Saint-Maurice (1442) in the spirit of “Savoyard flaming Gothic”. The style, strictly speaking, is characteristic of Savoy, since it differs from the “flamboyante classique” in its massiveness.
This is an old Dominican church built in the 15th century. Its location on the St. Dominic Canal is one of the most picturesque. In the choir there is a painted (imaginary) grave of Philibert de Montu (1458) - advisor to the Savoy and Burgundian dukes, a local nobleman. There is a fresco above it. The church chairs with backs date from the end of the 18th century, and the throne held by the colossus dates from 1715. The Church of St. Maurice occupies a central place in local life in the 15th and 16th centuries. Professional corporations and powerful families built chapels. You can see the draper's scissors on the window frame of the second chapel to the right of the church. Saint Maurice is the patron saint of Annecy and Savoy.
In general, Annecy is generous with its churches - a walk along Rue Rousseau will lead to the Bishop's Palace (XVII century) and St. Peter's Cathedral (XVI century), where Jean-Jacques Rousseau sang in the choirs in his youth.
By the way, in 1765–1770, in his Confessions, Rousseau described the intimate and quiet life of a small town, still quite rural, which he met in 1728.
Annecy is a pedestrian city, at most cycling. You can walk around everything on your feet at a pleasant pace in a maximum of three hours. There is no shortage of bars and cafes, there is also a casino, and Italian ice cream is popular. The entire modern part of the city is concentrated on the northern side of the peninsula.
Lovers' Bridge and Garden of Europe
Annecy is like the Alsatian town of Colmar or a corner of Strasbourg. But there is still an allusion to Venice - this is a small Bridge of Lovers (Pont des Amours) across a canal, almost covered by shady trees. The bridge was named so because lovers usually made dates on it:
And at the place where the canal flows into the lake, on the peninsula, there is a magnificent park, the Garden of Europe (Jardin d’Europe) with alleys, fountains, statues, benches and boats:
In autumn the forest looks more wonderful than in other seasons:
The Garden of Europe is a park in the English style, planted in 1863. You can find out the name of the tree by the small signs located next to the trees. The artificial Swan Island is located in the lake. At the edge of the embankment there is a gnomon (signpost), which is a sundial, which was developed in 1874 by the Capuchin father Arsen. Next comes the statue of Claude-Louis Berthollet (1748–1822), an eminent chemist born in Talloires; He was the first to use chlorine to bleach paper and fabrics.
Visitacion Church
Annecy in 1460 was officially the capital of the County of Geneva, and in 1536, after the victory of the Calvinists in Geneva, the Geneva diocese, the canons of St. Peter, and nuns moved here. From 1602 to 1622, the bishop was Francis de Sales, who led the Counter-Reformation movement. As bishop, Francis strengthened the religious and intellectual character of the city, which became a small Catholic stronghold in relation to Protestant Geneva. Subsequently, the Vatican canonized him. The Visitation Basilica is dedicated to Saint Francis and Saint Jeanne de Chantal, whose relics are preserved in this altar.
The Visitacion sisters settled in the monastery in 1911. The construction of the church, which has a functioning bell tower, was completed in the early 1930s. It was consecrated in 1949 and has been operating as a basilica since 1951. Inside the cathedral there are stained glass windows depicting the lives of Francis de Sales and Jeanne de Chantal. They are both buried in sarcophagi made of gilded copper.
Lake Annecy
Lake Annecy (area 2759 hectares, length 14.6 km, width 0.8–3 km, depth up to 82 m) must be described separately.
It is officially considered the cleanest in the world. Its temperature in summer is approximately +20... +22 °C. The lake was formed about 18,000 years ago, after the melting of Alpine glaciers. It is fed by many small mountain streams. On the first Saturday in August, Annecy hosts a grand Lake Festival with fireworks and water shows, and this is the peak of the tourist season - about 250 thousand people come to Annecy. All this began in 1860, when Napoleon III came here to “celebrate” the annexation of Savoy to France. Annecy also hosts an animation festival (6 days in June).
On the eastern shore of Lake Annecy in the town of Talloires there is a former Benedictine abbey (now a hotel).
Popular excursions around Annecy are on the lake by boat and by bicycle along the lake shore. Castles and mountains
In addition to exploring the city itself, a stay in Annecy certainly includes active recreation in the immediate surroundings. The first most popular excursion is on the lake by boat. In summer they usually depart 6 times a day, lasting 2 hours. The most noticeable thing that can be seen from a boat on the coast is the towers of the Chateau de Menthon-Saint-Bernard on a 200-meter hill:
The first wooden fortress appeared here around the 10th century, and the modern structure was founded in the 12th century.
The second option is to go along the lake by bicycle (the complete circle is 40 km). The closest mountain to the east is La Tournette, 2351 m, it is visible in the distance in the photo of Visitacion, to the south are the Montagne du Semnoz mountains, there are several belvederes and forests. There are sandy beaches near the village of Sevrier in the southern part of the lake.
The Fie River Gorge (Gorges du Fier), with cliffs up to 90 meters high, is also a good choice for nature excursions, but on foot:
To get to the gorge, you need to take a bus to Poisy. It should be noted that from October to March the gorge is closed to the public; this is a typical summer excursion.
Montrottier Castle on a hill (Chateau de Montrottier, XIII-XIV centuries) belonged to another branch of the Menton family (now it belongs to the recreated Florimontin Academy, founded 28 years before the French Academy):
In good weather you can see Mont Blanc from there. In the castle you can see collections of porcelain from all over the world, costumes, and carpets.
The privately owned 11th-century castle Chateau de Ruphy is picturesquely located at the very tip of the cape near the village of Duigne:
On the first Saturday of August, Annecy celebrates the Lake Festival - a show on the water with fireworks. The Jazz Festival takes place on the second and third weekends in July.
If we move into the category of impressions and sensations, then Annecy has a certain magic of calm, which is highly recommended for people tired of stress. All together: streets, bridges, lanterns, walking alleys, passages, lake, canal and views of the surrounding mountains, has an almost psychotherapeutic effect. Annecy is more of a summer than a winter resort. In January, even the lawns here remain green, and the lake is not covered with ice.
You can get here from Lyon, Grenoble or Geneva by train (1–2 hours), many trains also come from Paris (Gare de Lyon, 3.5 hours).
The town of Annecy stands on the shores of the lake of the same name, in the eastern part of France and about fifty kilometers from the Swiss border. This place, seemingly unremarkable in anything, has gained great fame among tourists all over the world. Travelers rush here to stroll through “the most beautiful village in France” and have a snack by the water, surrounded by the carnival-colorful colors that literally decorate the entire center of Annecy. Well, a photo against the backdrop of the Island Palace is a mandatory attribute, without which a trip to Annecy is simply unthinkable. Annecy is called the “Venice of Savoy”: the town is penetrated by many canals and streams originating in the lake. And the Michelin Guide gives this small town three full stars as a tourist destination.
Annecy is the beauty of the Alps without the Swiss-Alpine prices and the opportunity to admire the surface of the lake against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks without the need to stay in luxury hotels in the absence of others. And on the other hand, there is a lovely, lovely medieval setting with cobbled alleys, canals, boats and old houses in the center.
How to get to Annecy
The easiest way to get to Annecy is not from French territory, but from Geneva. Regular buses go here about 5 times a day on Sundays, and even more often on weekdays. Travel time is about an hour. The nearest international airport is also in Geneva, and using the new expressway it takes just over half an hour to reach Annecy. A little further away are the airports of Lyon and Grenoble, but the drive from them is no more than an hour. Annecy also has its own airport; it accepts flights only from Paris. In addition, you can get to Annecy by direct train from Paris or Lyon (the train station is right in the center of the town).
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Weather in Annecy
A little history
It's hard to believe it now, but Annecy was once the main city of the Duchy of Geneva. After the French Revolution, Savoy became part of France along with Annecy; after the restoration of the Bourbon dynasty, for some time the city belonged to the kingdom of Sardinia, but then was again sold to France as part of Savoy in the second half of the 19th century.
Guides in Annecy
Entertainment and attractions in Annecy
Annecy is the beauty of the Alps without the Swiss-Alpine prices and the opportunity to admire the surface of the lake against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks without the need to stay in luxury hotels in the absence of others. And on the other hand, there is a lovely, lovely medieval setting with cobbled alleys, canals, boats and old houses in the center. The pedestrian area in Annecy's Old Town is absolutely charming and of course always crowded with people. Round Italian wells, embankments, mansions and churches - everything in general looks very harmonious, especially strewn with crimson and purple flowers of potted plants.
6 things to do in Annecy:
- Take a stroll along Rue Saint-Clair with its romantic arcades from the 17th and 18th centuries.
- Throw a coin into the Saint-Jean fountain, which is on Royal Street - in the very center of the modern city.
- Kiss on the Iron Bridge of Lovers.
- Take that same photo with the palace in the background.
- Eat Italian ice cream on one of the pedestrian streets. You'd be supposed to eat brioche or something like that, but the locals unanimously prefer Italian ice cream parlors - and they know what they're doing.
- Find the shop of Jean-Jacques Gamblot, floral artist. This place is truly capable of capturing your imagination, even if you are not going to buy anything - just look at the entrance to the store.
The medieval castle on the hill occupies a more or less central position in the city. It was built, according to rough estimates, around the 12th-16th centuries, and the counts of Geneva and the dukes of Savoy lived here. The castle burned down several times, was abandoned by its owners in the 17th century and was then used as military barracks until the end of World War II. But then the city bought and restored the chateau, and today a museum of Alpine popular art is opened there. Its collection includes many sculptures and paintings by local authors, as well as 15th-century furniture, a photo archive and models of Alpine chalets. The oldest part of the castle's structure is the powerful Queen's Tower, built in 12; its walls exceed 4 m in thickness. Nowadays an observatory is opened in the tower. And from the terrace in front of the castle there is a charming view of the Old Town of Annecy.
There are no authentic city souvenirs in Annecy, but there are many shops and art stalls of local artists, sculptors, ceramicists, and so on.
The notorious Annecy Island Palace of the 12th century, generally speaking, does not really look like a palace. Although it was really built on an island in the Thiu Canal (in fact, the palace occupies the entire area of the island) and really served as the residence of the Genevan counts. Subsequently, this powerful fortified structure was used as a prison and as a court, and today there is a tourist office here. The sharp stone corner of the Island Palace, which cuts into the water of the canal, framed by houses on the neighboring embankments, is Annecy's most famous view.
The Lovers' Bridge is just as replicated as the Island Palace, although compared to it it is a pure remake. It is considered obligatory to walk across the bridge, but it looks prettier from a distance, with colorful boats in the foreground and the lake surface framed by willows in the background. Local artists know about this and from the very morning they set up easels on the canal embankment leading to the bridge.
Annecy Cathedral was built in the 16th century as a Franciscan chapel. This explains the rather modest appearance and small size of the cathedral. The church received cathedral status only in 1822. Nevertheless, a very good organ by Nicolas-Antoine Lete, a royal master, created in the 40s, is installed inside. 19th century.
There are a lot of tourists in Annecy, really a lot. And don’t let the pastoral charm of the provincial town deceive you: unfortunately, there are plenty of pickpockets here too. At all iconic points (especially near the castle and on the bridge overlooking the Island Palace), it is better to keep a close eye on your pockets.
Another noteworthy church in Annecy is the Roman Catholic Church of St. Maurice, the oldest in the city. Initially, in the first half of the 15th century, it was built in the Gothic style as a Dominican chapel. The interior of the chapel is remarkable for the 15th century painting to the left of the choir: it creates an optical illusion of three-dimensionality. And another interesting church is dedicated to Our Lady and built in the neoclassical style. The church is distinguished by a rectangular 16th-century clock tower with three rows of ten beautiful Gothic windows. The church is easily recognized by the gilded statue of the Virgin Mary crowning it.
Popular hotels in Annecy
Annecy Events
In April, the city hosts a cozy farm festival, great fun for the whole family. In June there is a six-day animated film festival, and in July there is a four-night night blues festival. The most crowded gathering awaits visitors to the city on the first weekend of August: this is the Lake Festival with luxurious fireworks that attract more than 100,000 spectators annually. And in October, on the second Sunday of the month, the Alpine Harvest Festival is celebrated here with folk music, food and entertainment.
Annecy area
Lake Annecy is the pearl of the French Alps and the Savoy region. Its length is about 17 km, depth is approximately 45 m; The water here is one of the cleanest in Europe, dark, like the sea, and the air is amazingly clean. Although small in size compared to Lake Geneva, there are all possibilities for recreation for every taste: picturesque towns on the shore, sports centers, good beaches, first-class restaurants, many hiking and cycling routes. A regular bus, departing from Annecy, goes around the lake, and with a rented car this trip becomes even more enjoyable.
France is a country of poets, artists, scientists and writers, powerful kings and desperate revolutionaries. A country of exquisite cuisine and equally exquisite beauty. But it has a tiny pearl that can touch even the most sophisticated tourist, its name is Annecy, which is deservedly called the “most beautiful village” in France.
Annecy on the map of France
Annecy, France is a city located at the base of the Alps, on the border with Switzerland. Annecy, sometimes called Annecy, is the center of the Haute-Savoie department. In the north, the department borders with Switzerland, and in the east with Italy. Until the mid-19th century, Haute-Savoie belonged to Switzerland, and the city itself was the residence of the Counts of Geneva. In 1860 the department became part of France. The city of Annecy is located 85 km north of Grenoble, and 45 km south of Geneva.
Thousands of years ago, clear water lakes and the proximity of mountainous alpine valleys and meadows contributed to the birth of a settlement called Annecy, or Annecy (Latin Annesium). The first information about Annecy dates back to 2500 BC. e. It was a settlement of 2000 people. Later, Annecy was a port on the lake, that is, a large and significant place. The village is mentioned in documents from the time of Emperor Lothar, in 876, which is why this year is considered to be the time the city was founded.
Weather in Annecy, France
The climate in Annecy is moderately warm. There is a large amount of precipitation, the driest month is July (precipitation 66 mm). Maximum precipitation falls in November – 96 mm. The average annual temperature in the city is +10 °C. The warmest month of the year is July with an average temperature of +19.5 °C. The lowest temperature occurs in January, it is about +0.6 °C.
Annecy France
Interesting! The city lost the competition to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. Biathlon and other sports competitions are held in the city and its surrounding areas in winter.
Annecy in France: attractions
Annecy (France) is called the “Venice of the Alps”, as three rivers and many canals pass through the city. In the city you can see many attractions related to the history of not only the city itself, but also the entire department of Haute-Savoie.
Island Palace Palais de L'Isle
Located on a small island right in the middle of the Tew Channel, which flows between the lake and the Fewer River. It is called the Palace on the Island and is shaped like a ship. This is the most popular place in the city and it is believed that visiting Annecy and not taking a photo at the palace on the island is an unacceptable waste of time. This castle was built in 1132 and belonged to the Counts of Geneva until the 13th century. Its peculiarity is that every centimeter of the island was used during construction, so its shape resembles a ship.
Initially, it was conceived as an office for accepting payments when crossing the bridge. Then it was a prison, a mint, a residence for the nobility, an almshouse, an orphanage, a drawing school, a gymnasium, and a palace of justice. At the beginning of the 20th century, a city bathhouse was almost built in its place, but with the advent of the revival period of the ancient palace, it began to be protected as a historical architectural monument. Due to the position in the middle of the canal and the comfort of the surrounding streets, in fact, the charm of this place was created. Inside it there is now a museum of the history of Annecy with an exhibition about the history of the region.
Palais de L'Isle
Annecy Castle
This is the castle and residence of the Counts of Geneva. The castle is located on a hill. It was built from the 12th to the 15th centuries. The castle often burned and was finally abandoned in the 17th century. Later it was used as barracks until the end of the Second World War. The city bought the castle in 1953 and it now houses a museum of modern art and a local history museum. The Perrier Tower has a popular science collection. This is the oldest part of the castle with walls four meters thick. Also, an observatory is now open in the tower, and from the terrace in front of the castle there is a charming view of the old town of Annecy and the lake.
Church of Saint Francis de Sales
The Church of St. Francis stands on the banks of the Thieu River, the shortest river in France. The church was built in the 17th century in honor of Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva, as well as his spiritual disciple Joanna de Chantal.
Saint Francis was born in 1567 in the castle of Sales, 20 kilometers from the city. The castle of Sales was destroyed by Louis XIII in the 18th century. Francis received religious education and became a priest. He was a talented preacher, helped the poor and disadvantaged, and was distinguished by meekness and patience. Author of many books.
Church of Saint Francis de Sales
Cathedral of St. Petra
Saint Peter's Cathedral in Annecy is a national historical monument and cathedral of the diocese of Annecy. It was built at the beginning of the 16th century. Combines architectural elements of late Gothic and Renaissance. In the first half of the 17th century, the very young Jean-Jacques Rousseau studied and sang in the Saint-Pierre Cathedral. The future composer and thinker entered the seminary, and then studied at the choir school and sang in the choirs of St. Peter's Cathedral. In 1822, the cathedral was given cathedral status. In the 19th century, a large organ by the master of the royal court, Nicolas-Antoine Lete, was installed in the cathedral.
Interesting! The main cathedral bell weighs about three tons. The interior is decorated with an altar in the New Baroque style, as well as stained glass windows depicting scenes from the life of St. Francis de Sales.
Lovers' Bridge
Couples in love should definitely check out the Lovers' Bridge, which is widely known among tourists, although it was built quite recently. Despite its short lifespan, the bridge has already become part of the legends of tourists. Lovers definitely need to cross the bridge so that their feelings become stronger and the union is preserved forever. However, the bridge looks nicer from afar, with boats in the foreground and the lake surface surrounded by ancient willows in the background.
Lake Annecy
The lake itself, framed by mountains, is so beautiful that it is an undoubted attraction at any time of the year. There is a boat company office next to the lake and in the summer they sell tickets for pleasure boats. You can also book a lunch or dinner cruise on Lake Annecy. Since the end of October, this company has been running boat trips only once a day - at 3 pm, and at 11 am on weekends. Such an hour-long walk costs 14 euros.* You can, on occasion, take a private boat for a slightly higher price. When viewing the shores of Annecy, you can see chapels, houses and the Annecy castle itself on a ledge of the shore.
Lake Annecy
Events in the City and surroundings
In August, Annecy hosts the Flower Festival and Lake Annecy Festival. During these holidays, unrealistically beautiful fireworks are displayed over the lake at night. It is possible to view the lake from the ring road around it, but it is often very busy, so it is much quieter to explore the shores of the lake during excursions by boat. They provide options for stopovers or return on a later flight. A variety of trips with stops on the shores of the lake are offered by Compagnie de Navigation at Place Bois, next to Quai Bayreuth; a full circle around the lake costs €13.30*.
On the east coast there is a large castle of Menthon (Chateau de Menthon) with towers. The road to it is marked with a sign near the town of Menthon-Saint-Bernard. A few kilometers from this town stands on the shore the lovely Talloires. Here is the luxurious Hotel de Vabbaye, a former 11th-century Benedictine monastery.
The Fier River, flowing from Lake Annecy, formed the narrow Fier Gorge (Gorges du Fier) in the rocky limestones. The path leading into the gorge, which is 300 meters long, is marked on the D14 highway with a sign near Lavagna. The path goes down, passes along the gorge along high bridges, from which you can see the Montrottier Castle (Chateau de Montrottier). You can reach it along the path, walking another 3 kilometers. The 13th-century castle houses an eclectic display of furniture, pottery, lace, and exotic objects from former French colonies.
How to get to Annecy
You can reach Annecy by train or bus from Geneva. The Routiere bus station in Geneva is the closest to Annecy, there is a direct bus from here, the ticket costs 15.5 francs, * the journey takes 1.5 hours. When paying by credit card, you may be charged an additional 2 francs.
Address of Routiere station in Geneva: Place Dorcière, 1201 Genève. Located on the left bank, near the railway station. This station is one small booth and a platform for buses.
In Annecy the station is larger, it is combined with the train station. A round trip ticket is valid for one day, the time is not indicated on the ticket. The city also has an airport that accepts domestic flights within France.
Annecy has a calm, almost rural life, so a holiday here will help you relax and take a break from the bustle of the city.
* Prices are current for 2018.