At the foot of the French Alps is a picturesque, almost fabulous, resort town Annecy, as if he had come to life from the canvas of a medieval artist. Annecy is the center of the Haute-Savoie region, which is in close proximity to the borders of Switzerland and Italy. This left a unique imprint on the architecture of the city, which displays a mixture of Italian and French styles. And the canal running through the streets of Annecy, connecting the lake of the same name with the river Fier, weaves Venetian romance and charm into the image of the town.
As a rule, a visit to Annecy is included in the program of one-day excursions from Geneva (45 km), Grenoble (80 km), Lyon (140 km) or as part of a route through the resort towns of the French Alps. However, nothing prevents you from staying in this cozy place for a few days to fully enjoy its extraordinary atmosphere of antiquity, comfort and romance. In the south, Annecy is adjacent to the lake of the same name and green hills, gradually growing into picturesque mountains. Thanks to the advantageous geographical location Annecy received the title of resort city. The air here is alpine, nature is fragrant, cleanest lake is ideal for swimming and water sports.
Mountain-lake Annecy is full of attractions, which we will now try to tell you about.
Palace on the island
Several canals run from the lake through the city, the largest of which is Thiu, connecting Lake Annecy with the Fieux River. In the middle of the canal there is a small island, on which, as if growing out of the water, stands a small castle, which has retained its appearance from the 12th century. This castle is Annecy's most popular architectural landmark and is called the Palais de Ľisle, or Palace on the island.
In the XII-XIII centuries, the Palace on the island belonged to the vassals of the Counts of Geneva, and then turned into the residence of Helen of Luxembourg. Later, the miniature castle was used as a building for the Chamber of Accounts, the House of Justice, and a prison. And now it charms all visitors thanks to its unusual location in the middle of a romantic canal, and medieval buildings rise along its banks. The palace, built in 1132, has not been significantly updated since its construction, but now houses an exhibition historical museum Annecy.
Rue Saint-Clair and the castle of the Counts of Geneva
The luxurious castle of the Counts of Geneva, built in the 12th-16th centuries, looks great from the embankment and the pier. It once belonged to representatives of the junior branch of the famous House of Savoy. The oldest part of the structure, preserved from the 13th century, is the huge Queen's Tower, where the thickness of the walls exceeds 4.5 meters. The medieval castle was repeatedly exposed to fires, and as a result, by the 17th century, no one lived in it anymore, and the building itself was later used as a barracks.
It was only in 1953 that the Annecy authorities decided to seize this object from its previous owners and turn it into a tourist attraction. After restoration in medieval fortification There is a local history museum and a museum of modern art. The museum exhibition includes antique furniture and rare paintings, objects of Savoyard folk art and artifacts obtained by archaeologists.
The Perrier Tower houses a popular science collection including fishing gear, a model of the mountains and Lake Annecy, an aquarium with live fish that live in the lake. This is the most ancient part of the medieval castle, preserved since its construction in 1445. At the foot of the fortification lies the local street St. Clair with a picturesque medieval gate and many small shops.
St. Peter's Cathedral, Bishop's Palace and St. Maurice Church
In the central part of the town of Annecy, not far from the city hall, stands the ancient Church of Saint-Maurice, the architecture of which is reminiscent of Savoyard flaming Gothic. This is a classic Dominican church located near the Canal of St. Dominic, and in the choir of the temple there is an imaginary grave of the famous local nobleman Philibert de Montoux, who acted as an adviser to the Burgundian and Savoy dukes. Guests of Annecy visiting the Saint-Maurice temple are advised to pay attention to the interesting fresco located above the grave of the nobleman.
Particularly noteworthy are the antique church chairs with original backs, made back in the 18th century, as well as the throne held by a colossus, created in 1715. The Church of St. Maurice played a significant role in the life of the local community in the 15th and 16th centuries, and influential families and professional corporations built chapels in it. To the right of the old church there is a small chapel, where clothier's scissors can be seen on the window frame. And Saint Maurice himself is considered the patron saint of all Savoy, including the city of Annecy.
During a leisurely walk along the street, Russo attracts attention Saint Paul's Cathedral and picturesque Bishop's Palace, built several centuries ago. In the ancient cathedral, in his youth, the famous Jean-Jacques Rousseau sang from the choirs, and he described the town itself well in his work “Confession”. The historical center of Annecy is easy to explore on foot in a couple of hours or by bike. Its streets are home to many cafes and bars where you can order delicious Italian ice cream.
Garden of Europe and Lovers' Bridge
Annecy is a colorful city, in some ways it resembles a separate corner of Strasbourg, in some ways it resembles Alsatian Colmar. And the resemblance to Italian Venice is conveyed by the canals and the small Bridge of Lovers thrown across one of them, which now, like centuries ago, serves as a meeting place and walks for couples in love.
And next to the place where the romantic canal connects with the lake, there is a peninsula, on the territory of which there is a park called Garden of Europe with cozy benches and unique statues, romantic fountains and shady alleys. It looks especially beautiful in the fall, when the trees dress in crimson.
The Garden of Europe is an English park that appeared on the map of Annecy in 1863. The park has a picturesque lake with an artificial island. Since 1874, the original signpost erected by the Capuchin monk Arsen has been preserved on the embankment. Another attraction is the statue of the outstanding chemist Claude-Louis Berthollet.
Visitation Church (Eglise La Visitation)
In the 15th century Annecy was capital city County of Geneva, and after the victory of the Calvinists in 1536, nuns, canons of St. Peter and the diocese of Geneva moved here. Bishop Francis de Sales was also located here, who had to lead the Counter-Reformation movement, and also managed to give the town a different intellectual and religious character. As a result, Annecy became a real Catholic stronghold, in contrast to Protestant Geneva. After some time, the Vatican declared Bishop Francis de Sales a saint, and his relics are still kept in Basilica Visitación.
The nuns settled in this place in 1911, and the construction of the temple with a bell tower was completed only in the 30s of the last century. The church was consecrated in 1949, and since 1951 the temple was given the status of a basilica. Visitors to the cathedral can admire unique stained glass windows depicting events from the lives of Jeanne de Chantal and Francis de Sales. And they themselves are buried in copper sarcophagi covered with gold.
Lake Annecy
The picturesque Lake Annecy attracts resort town no less number of tourists than its architectural attractions. The area of the lake, which stretches 14.6 kilometers in length, is 2,759 hectares, and its width ranges from 800 meters to three kilometers. Lake Annecy is considered to be the cleanest body of water in the world, summer season its waters warm up to +20-22 degrees. It appeared on the map of Europe more than eighteen thousand years ago, when the Alpine glaciers began to melt, and now the water level is maintained by small mountain rivers flowing into the reservoir. On east coast reservoir, in the town of Talloires, there was previously a Benedictine abbey, but now its old buildings have been turned into a hotel.
At the beginning of August, a holiday is held on the shores of Lake Annecy with extraordinary water shows and grandiose fireworks. At this time, more than 250,000 tourists visit the French town to admire such a spectacle. Festivals and celebrations have been held here since 1860, when Napoleon III decided to celebrate the unification of France and Savoy in Annecy.
How to get to Annecy?
The distance from Annecy to Geneva is 45 kilometers, and to Grenoble - 85 kilometers. The train journey from Geneva, Grenoble or Lyon takes 1-2 hours, and from Paris Gare de Lyon to high speed train The TGV takes 3.5 hours to get to the small town. The cost of a ticket from Paris to Annecy is approximately 80 EUR. Travelers who want to save money can choose to travel on regional trains TER, where a ticket costs only 30 EUR, but such transport is much slower.
There is a stable train connection with Lyon, and the ticket costs only 20 EUR. From the towns of Aix-les-Benemes and Chambery you can get there by train in 30-50 minutes, and the ticket price in this case will be 7-8 EUR. The town of Annecy has a small airport that receives planes from Paris, Swiss cities and European countries.
The town of Annecy is beautiful at any time of the year. Tourists will love the local magic of calm and tranquility, and the contemplation of local architecture and stunning landscapes will not leave anyone indifferent. In this case, Annecy is considered summer resort, because even in winter the water in the lake does not freeze, and the lawns remain green.
Annecy (France) is a place of concentration of historical and natural attractions - a city for a quiet family vacation tourists on the shore of a beautiful lake framed by Alpine mountains.
The historical countdown of the city of Annecy begins with a mention in the chronicles of the era of Emperor Lothar (867 AD). During the period of the 10th – 15th centuries, the residence of the dynasty of the Counts of Genevois was located in the city. The transition to the control of Savoy took place in 1401. The annexation to France as part of the mentioned duchy occurred in 1860.
The resort town is located in Eastern France, not far from the Swiss border (about 50 km), being central part Haute Savoie.
The department borders Italy. The distance to Grenoble in the south is 85 km, in the north to Geneva 45 km. The area of the city's buildings is about 14 km 2; the Tew city canal runs through the center, which is a natural branch of the picturesque Lake Annecy and connects it with the river. Fie.
Annecy (France), whose attractions are popular among tourists from all over the world, is a town that many call the “Venice of Savoy”. Visitors come here to admire the beauty of the mountains, the serenity of the lake, the tranquility of the canals and the charm of the ancient cityscape, framed by a multitude of flowers.
Distinctive features of the city
Ancient streets paved with cobblestones; houses and castles that emanate history; clean mountain air mixed with the smells of numerous flowers; The picturesque shores of the transparent lake are far from a complete list of the features of Annecy.
Climate
The temperature background in summer is calm: minimum values are not lower than +10 o C, the highest temperature is not higher than +29 o C, there is little precipitation.
It's cool in winter time: up to -3 o C, heavy precipitation in November.
Ecology
The lake of the same name is considered one of the cleanest in Europe. It feeds on mountain rivers, the water temperature in summer is 20 - 22 o C above zero. Clean air from the forests surrounding the city, there is a lot of greenery and flowers on the streets.
Population
More than 51 thousand local residents live in the city.
Flora and fauna
Moving along the eastern shore of the lake, tourists at a distance of 12 km from the city find nature reserve Roc de Cher, one of the largest in the south-eastern part of France. Its area is about 70 hectares, located around the mountain that gave it its name, on the slopes of which many species of plants grow (more than 560 species), including oaks and hornbeams.
The vegetation forms the unique microclimate of the reserve. Deer and wild boars live in the foothill forests; swans live freely on the lake and in city canals.
How to get to Annecy
Annecy (France), whose attractions attract the attention of Europeans at any time of the year, is a settlement that is located at the intersection of various routes leading from geographically nearby cities.
By plane
It is only possible to fly to Annecy Airport from Paris Airport. The cost of a flight from Moscow to Paris in economy class is from 12,200 to 22,700 rubles.
By train
Tourists get to the railway station in the center of Annecy by train from the nearest cities:
By bus
There are daily regular buses from Geneva to Annecy, the journey takes about 1 hour, the ticket price is 300 - 400 rubles.
You can get to Annecy, France by bus from Geneva in just 1 hour. The bus ride from Lyon takes about 2 hours, the ticket will cost from 300 to 2000 rubles.
By car
For tourists traveling by car, the travel route passes through the countries: Belarus, Poland, Germany, Switzerland. It is necessary to pay attention to toll highways, parking areas and obey the speed limit.
The shortest route to Annecy from Geneva Airport via a modern expressway by car is just over half an hour. Routes from Grenoble and Lyon airports are within an hour's reach.
Transport Annecy
Tourists explore the historical center of the city on foot; it is more convenient to get to the surrounding castles by local buses.
Buses
To move around comfortably during the day, you need to purchase a travel ticket for 3.1 euros, which will be valid for 24 hours. A single bus ticket costs 1.2 euros.
You can buy a ticket at the city bus station or from the driver along the route. Regular flights Buses from Annecy run to many European cities.
Taxi
A trip from Annecy airport to the city center when ordering a taxi through the dispatch service will cost approximately 10 euros.
Rent a Car
Several rental companies at the airport offer car rental services starting from 20 euros per day.
Main attractions of Annecy
Annecy has a special attraction - the shady Bridge of Lovers, famous throughout France. This place is considered ideal for dates and quiet romantic walks. Ancient town also attracts tourists with its majestic castles, churches and houses.
Religious buildings
The city center is decorated with the massive Gothic Church of Saint-Maurice, founded in 1442 in honor of the patron saint of Annecy and the duchy - Saint Maurice. For two centuries since its founding, it has been the center of local provincial life.
St. Rousseau leads tourists to the stone palace of the 17th century. - the bishop's residence. Nearby is the ancient St. Peter's Cathedral, built in the 16th century. He is famous for the fact that the future educator Jean-Jacques Rousseau sang in the church choir in his youth. Later, in one of his works, he described the patriarchal, rural, measured life of the settlement in which he happened to live in 1728.
On the street Notre Dame is the Notre Dame de Lies church, founded in the 16th century, later destroyed, but restored again in the 19th century. Inside are sculptures of saints and an unusual altar.
A modern building built in the 30s of the XX century. under the leadership of the Sisters-nuns of the Visitacion, it has operated as a basilica since 1951. Colorful stained glass paintings reproduce fragments of the lives of saints Jeanne de Chantal and Francis de Sales, whose remains rest in the basilica in copper sarcophagi with gilding.
Museums
The local history museum with interesting exhibits is located in an ancient castle on a small island in the middle of the canal. The castle-fortress was founded in 1132; it changed many owners during this time; served as a palace of justice, a chamber of accounts and a prison.
On the elevated part of the city there is a castle that belonged to the dynasty of the Counts of Geneva (XII-XVI centuries), the walls and towers of which are made of stone and have a thickness of up to 4 m. For a long time it was abandoned after a devastating fire in the 16th century, but in 1953 it passed into municipal administration, was restored and transferred to the museum.
There are exhibited archaeological finds, works of ancient and modern art, antique furniture. On a hill stands the Montrotier castle (XIII-XIV centuries), in which the Florimontin Academy is located. It was founded 28 years earlier than the academy in France. The exhibition features antique carpets, historical costumes, porcelain dishes and products.
Natural attractions
At the point where the canal flows into the lake there is a peninsula, the territory of which is decorated with alleys, beautiful statues, magnificent fountains, numerous benches and boats on the lake.
This park complex is called the Garden of Europe, which began with the planting of trees and shrubs in 1863 (next to the plants there are information signs with names). Not far away on the surface of the lake you can see Swan Island.
Monuments
At the end of the embankment stands a statue of the local famous chemist Claude-Louis Berthollet, who was born in 1748 in Talloires. Carrying out various experiments, he came up with the idea of using the substance chlorine for the process of bleaching the fabric and paper produced. Place Saint-Clair is famous for the Kibere fountain, launched in the 17th century. and still in operation, with the trout heraldic sign above the bowl.
An ancient well (built by knights in the 15th century) next to the street. Carnot attracts tourists with clean cold water, being a place of frequent dates and meetings of local residents. On the cape next to the village. Duigne is the Chateau de Rufi, built in the 11th century. and privately owned.
Holidays in Annecy
Visiting guests can find places to relax near the city and on its streets to suit every taste.
Shopping
The streets of Saint-Clair and Royal are replete with a large number of shops and boutiques, ready to delight customers with a variety of goods.
Leisure
Over the surface of the lake, from a mountain 1.3 km high, extreme flight enthusiasts often take off; international paragliding competitions are held here.
Catamaran rides are offered on the lake. There are modern sports centers and equipped beaches on the shore.
Interesting places to relax with children
Walking travel exploring the city with children is interesting and educational; numerous cafes and establishments offering Italian ice cream invite you to relax and have a tasty snack.
Children will be interested in looking at the ancient sundial (1874), made by the hands of the monk Arsen on the edge of the city embankment.
A bus trip (about 10 km west of the city) to Montrotier Castle will allow you to immerse your child in the Middle Ages, look at the rich collection of weapons and armor of knights and strange African and oriental things. A trip to the mountain will be unforgettable observation deck near the city, which is used for launches by paragliders and paragliders.
Events in the city and surroundings
Several significant events are held annually in Annecy:
Excursions
Annecy (France), with its natural landscape to admire, is a city that offers leisure for guests. For example, a bicycle tour along the road along the lake (length about 40 km). Beautiful views of the surrounding mountains of La Tournette, Semnoz; forests on slopes; sand beach near the settlement of Sevrier they will meet on the travel route.
Boats with tourists depart from the pier several times a day for 2-hour excursions along the water surface of the lake. The main attraction, visible from the water on the shore, is the castle of Menton-Saint-Bernard, located on a hill, founded in the 12th century.
They offer a walking tour of the surrounding area - the river gorge. Fje with steep picturesque cliffs. At the beginning there is a bus trip to the village. Poisy, then you will have to walk further. The route is closed between October and March.
Annecy Hotels
Many hotels are open for visiting tourists.
Atipik Hotel Alexandra
Hotel for a budget holiday with standard rooms:
Hotel des Alpes
The hotel is located in the city center, standard rooms:
Hôtel Les Tresoms, Lake and Spa Resort
Comfortable hotel with spacious rooms:
Imperial Palace
Hotel with comfortable rooms and beautiful views of the surrounding area from the balcony:
- located at: Allée de l’Impérial (Emperial Alley), on the shore of the lake in the park, near Avenue. France;
- close to the zoological garden, casino and night club;
- indoor swimming pool;
- free parking;
- air conditioner;
- bathroom;
- cost of living for 2 people for one night – 11200 – 12500 rubles.
A remarkable historical hotel in the town of Talloires ( east coast lake) was formerly a Benedictine abbey.
What to bring as a souvenir
Annecy offers tourists the opportunity to capture forever memories of their holiday by purchasing souvenirs in local shops:
Annecy (France) - this city has attractions that can satisfy the discerning taste of tourists - lovers of antiquity and a calm, measured holiday in the lap of nature.
Article format: Lozinsky Oleg
Video about Annecy France
Annecy, a fairy-tale city in the French Alps:
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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. Jean, 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 in the 15th-16th centuries occupies central place in city life. 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. Franziska(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. Catholic Church proclaimed 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 façade 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. Pay attention to 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 ascent 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 one can appreciate the development of Annecy, which had 12,894 inhabitants in 1896 to settlement with over 138,000 inhabitants now.
You will fall in love with this fabulous city at first sight. Annecy (Annecy) impresses with its color and beauty. Included in the list of the most beautiful cities France. Today it is a popular tourist city. Many celebrities visited him. Among Annecy's guests are Queen Victoria, Churchill, Emperor Napoleon III, Charlie Chaplin, Jean Reno, Lenny Kravitz. What is so attractive about this French city? We also came to see)).
Alpine Venice, Alpine Rome, city of flowers, city of festivals - this is what Annecy is called. The city is located on the shores of the picturesque Lake Annecy, 40 km from Geneva, 150 km from Lyon. How to get there, what to see, where to stay, why the city is called that - we’ll tell you in this article.
Read about the entire travel itinerary in Switzerland and France and about a walk around Geneva here:
Annecy (Annecy) is the capital of the Haute-Savoie department, part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The first city of Bute was founded on the shore of the lake by the Romans in the 1st century. BC. In the 11th century, a city began to be built around the hill on which the fortress “grew.” Annecy housed the residence of the Count of Geneva in the 13th century and the Dukes of Savoy in the 15th century. The city became an important administrative center. And in the 1630s it turned into a Catholic religious center. It was in Annecy that the Genevan bishops fled from the Protestants. There was an “industrial” period in the history of the city. In the 17th century, large factories opened here, where fabrics were made. After the annexation of Savoy to France in 1860, tourism began to actively develop in Annecy.
The picturesque city and lake, surrounded by mountains, attract more than 2 million tourists every year. Most guests come in winter and summer. During the day, Annecy is visited by many tour groups. It is better to get to know the city without a crowd - in the morning or in the evening. That's why we decided to stay in Annecy for one night.
How to get to Annecy.
You can get from Geneva to Annecy in 50 minutes by bus and 1.5 hours by train with one change. We got there by bus. We used the service of a well-known European company. The bus is comfortable, clean, with toilets and power outlets. The ticket cost was 5 euros, bought online a month before the trip. Local Geneva bus companies have a ticket price to Annecy of 10-14 euros.
From Lyon, Grenoble, Chambery, the thermal resort of Aix-les-Bains, ski resort Chamonix and Courchevel are easily accessible by train or bus. Tickets can be purchased online on the French website railway. It is more affordable to travel by bus. We traveled from Annecy to Lyon by bus. Distance 150 km, 2 hours on the road. Tickets were purchased online. Cost - from 12 euros.
Annecy's bus station and train station are nearby, close to the historic city centre.
Where to stay in Annecy.
We booked an apartment hotel for our family Privilodges Le Royal - Apparthotel. It has an excellent location next to historical center city, 10 minutes walk from the bus station / railway station and 5 minutes walk from the lake and promenade. To the supermarket - 3 minutes, to the market - 5 minutes. Nearby, in the garden, there is a children's playground.
The hotel is old and that's why it's interesting. The first luxury hotel d'Angleterre in Annecy was opened in this building in 1852. Travelers stayed there on their way to a holiday in the Alps or to thermal resort Aix-les-Bains. The hotel's guests included Queen Victoria and the last French emperor, Napoleon III. In 2006-2010, the building was reconstructed and turned into a comfortable modern apart-hotel.
The hotel has free Wi-Fi, gym, laundry, small private parking (15 euros per night). It was very important for us that there was a storage room, because we checked out in the morning, and the bus to Lyon left at 15-00. It turned out that There are no lockers at train stations in Annecy, as in many cities in France. To leave your luggage while walking around the city, you need to negotiate with the owners of apartments, souvenir shops, restaurants, and bicycle rental points. However, there is no guarantee that your suitcase will be taken. Of course, this service will be paid. Therefore, we chose a hotel with a free luggage storage service.
Breakfast can be ordered separately and during warmer months it is served on the hotel's picturesque terrace overlooking the bishop's garden and the Notre-Dame de Liesse Church. We didn't order breakfast, we cooked it ourselves. Free tea/coffee is available to all guests (without breakfast) on this terrace after 11-00. We happily relaxed here with a cup of coffee and admiring the scenery.
Many hotels in France have this feature - the reception desk is open for limited hours. If you arrive outside of business hours, you can get the key in a special safe, the code for which will be sent to you by email a few days before arrival. Entrance to the hotel after reception closes only with a code. The code was given to us upon check-in. It’s an interesting system; no one else will be able to get into the hotel at night.
All rooms are equipped with a kitchenette with everything necessary for cooking, tea/coffee set, new kitchen set sponge/detergent/towel, safe, TV, bathroom. The only thing was that there was not enough salt in the kitchen. We bought it along with groceries at the supermarket. We prepared dinner and breakfast ourselves. Apartments with a kitchen significantly save your budget. This is what our apartment looked like. They had one bedroom, living room with kitchenette, TV. Clean, cozy, comfortable.
Special thanks to the hotel for the service and pleasant service. Everything is easy and with a smile. On the day of our departure, a girl, Svetlana, from Odessa, was working at the reception. Very attentive, polite, friendly. A cozy terrace, a kitchen in the apartment, a storage room and the location of the hotel became the main factors when choosing a hotel))).
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Evening Annecy.
An evening walk around Annecy gave us our first impression of the city: we found ourselves in a medieval fairy tale.
Annecy at dawn.
The next morning, my daughter and I traditionally watched the sunrise, as we did in the summer in ,. As Anya said, it is very convenient to watch the sunrise in the fall. There is no need to wake up at four in the morning and ruin the whole day, but just go out into the city at about 7-00 in the morning and you are guaranteed beauty. A fabulous atmosphere reigns in Annecy early in the morning. There are no crowds of tourists yet, the city wakes up in the first rays of the sun, and the lake looks incredibly beautiful and mysterious.
Lake Annecy is considered one of the cleanest in Europe. It was formed 18,000 years ago as a result of the melting of Alpine glaciers. Lake Annecy is the second largest lake in France. It is 14 km long and from 800 m to 3.5 km wide. The average depth of the lake is 40 m, and the maximum is 80 m. In summer, there are many vacationers on the shores of the lake. The average water temperature is 22 degrees. Around the lake are the mountain ranges of the French Alps.
At dawn, Lake Annecy is even a little mystical. He has his own the legend of Lady Angon. This is local folklore. Once upon a time, in Angon Castle on the shore of the lake, there lived a lonely orphan, a beauty named Bernolina. She met the Knight, her great and only love. The newlyweds got married and lived in marriage for 2 years, until the young wife wanted to receive a gift bright star from the sky. The knight loved the girl very much and decided to make her dream come true. For 100 days he wandered through the mountains and valleys. Finally found the treasured star. On the seashore, the Siren gave it to the young man on one condition: the Knight must give his wife a star before the start of that night, otherwise the girl will die.
The knight was in a hurry to get home, but tired during the storm, he mixed up the banks. To get to the castle you had to cross the lake. The fisherman offered such a service in exchange for the Knight's soul in 10 years. If this does not come true, his wife will die. The young man agreed to the condition of the devil in the form of a fisherman. After 10 years of happy married life, the Knight had to pay a terrible price to the “carrier”.
Bernolina suffered incredibly. Then the devil came to her with the following proposal: every day he would send her strangers, if the girl recognized her husband among them, he would return home. But Bernolina never felt her beloved among strangers and could not return him. In desperation, she threw herself into the icy lake from the high rock of Roc des Cher. And now the soul of the Lady from Castle Argon wanders in the waters of Lake Annecy and draws to its depths those unfortunate people who decided to swim in the hope of recognizing their husband...
Several mountain rivers flow into Lake Annecy. Through the main Thiou canal, laid through the entire city, the waters of the lake flow into the Fier River, which, in turn, flows into the Rhone. Thanks to its numerous canals, Annecy is called the Venice of the Alps (or Savoy). But, unlike the original, the water here is clean and transparent.
Canals, labyrinths of authentic streets of the Old Town are business card Annecy. Castle-fortress Le Palais de I'lle most often found in all photographs and postcards.
Another symbol of the city - Chateau d'Annecy— towers over the city. About him and others interesting places I'll tell you further.
Annecy. What to see in a day.
We already had a walking route around Annecy at home. At the hotel reception we received a free card. This is a small town with a compact historical center. Therefore, you can simply walk the streets, squares, and embankments for your own pleasure. The beauty around is incredible! Of course, along the way it’s worth considering the sights of Annecy: ancient houses, palaces, temples, Le Palais de I’lle castle-fortress, Château d’Annecy Castle, market, canals and the picturesque Lake Annecy.
This is the route we planned for a walk around Annecy. It took about 5 hours.
We go to the embankment of Lake Annecy through a cozy park Jardin d'Europe, Garden of Europe. It was opened on the peninsula in 1863. The park has a lot of benches, flowers, fountains, sculptures, playgrounds - everything is done for a comfortable stay.
Monument on the embankment chemist Berthollet. It is to him that the world owes the appearance of fabric bleach. In Annecy in the 18th century there were manufactories that produced fabrics with printed designs.
Lake Annecy amazes with its beauty, incredibly clear, azure water. Mountains rise all around.
Close to the embankment - Swan Island. Swans and ducks live here.
At first it seemed like it was a sign post. It shows the height of the city of Annecy and the surrounding mountains above sea level. When we looked closely, we saw that it was a sundial. It was invented in 1874 by a Capuchin monk, Father Arseny.
Pont des Amours, Bridge of Love (1907), spanned Canal du Vasse.
The canal and the plane trees above it - this “postcard” view from the bridge is often found in photographs of Annecy.
On the bridge of love they make dates. It is very romantic and beautiful here.
Annecy. France.
A large clearing begins behind the bridge Le Paquier with playgrounds, embankment, paths. It connects the Jardin d'Europe park with the famous l'Imperial Palace. This hotel and lakeside casino, built before World War I, restored in 1990. His guests were Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, Edith Piaf.
There are many boats and catamarans on the embankment that can be rented in the summer. This clearing was once a swampy pasture. It was often flooded with the waters of the lake. Thanks to a system of canals and a mechanism for regulating the water level of Lake Annecy, developed in the 19th century by the engineer Sadi Carnot, it is now favorite place for relax. Popular festivals, concerts, film screenings, and sporting competitions take place here.
It's nice to just sit on the shores of Lake Annecy and enjoy the surrounding beauty.
And finally, we supplemented the emotional aesthetic impressions with culinary impressions. Annecy is the capital of the Haute-Savoie region. The city is famous for its delicious Savoyard cuisine and local wines. There are a large number of restaurants in the Old Town, on the canal embankment. There is such a feature in France - you can eat in establishments from 12-00 to 14-00 and from 19-00 to 21-30. At other times the kitchen is closed and drinks and light snacks are available. Water is served to guests free of charge.
It's time for lunch. In one of the restaurants on the canal embankment we tried the famous local dish — tartiflette. It's a baked potato with cheese, bacon and cream. We also ordered gratin- also a discovery for me. I'm used to it being made from potatoes, but in Annecy this dish is made from pasta. The portions are large. Everything is filling and very tasty. A wonderful end to your trip to Annecy!
The suitcases were collected from the hotel. On the way to Annecy station we admired the buildings of the 19th century.
We wish you bright travels!
