Annecy is an alpine town in southeastern France 2 hours and 40 minutes from Paris, where Lake Annecy feeds into the Thiou River. It’s known for its Vieille Ville (old town), with cobbled streets, winding canals and pastel-colored houses. Overlooking the city, the medieval Château d’Annecy, once home to the Counts of Geneva, contains a museum with regional artifacts such as Alpine furniture and religious art, plus a natural history exhibit.
I read that you only need 1-2 days at most in Annecy.
I don’t agree.
It’s a very beautiful, colorful town with multi-canals sitting on a stunning lake full of swans and ducks.
Called “the Venice of…the North” with good reason…many canals and bridges.
No gondolas its true. But no flooding of Saint Mark’s Place or annoying cruise 🚢 ship one-day-trippers.
True Venice’s great artworks will not be found here. But nature has done a pretty good job providing feasts for the eyes. The air is divinely clean. So clean it makes you heady.
The food is very cheesy.
I had tartiflette the 1st night and nothing like it since. Such a tummy ache and I could not eat much. Powerful stuff. Reclette and fondue will have to wait for the Agriculture Salon next March..unless I feel brave.
All the restaurants are touristy. So what. They all serve more or less the same hearty, delicious, not very expensive food, so don’t waste time reading menus outside. Instead get there early. Get served the local specialties (already mentioned). And get out.
I’ve been in Annecy since Friday afternoon. We were supposed to arrive at 11:24. But 24 minutes away our lovely, speedy TGV broke down in Aix-les-Bains.
We arrived at 2:15.
Lunch in Annecy is served between 12 and 2:00. Show up at 2:15 and they will not give you the time of day, much less lunch. Things are very orderly in this beautiful, very clean Alpine town. I had to settle for a very good pizza (we’re close to Italy. The cook was Italian. The oven wood burning). Plus a requested green salad (basically an entire bag of arrugala with 2 tiny cups of vinaigrette. Salt and pepper not included). Still one mustn’t grumble. Getting anything green when traveling is always a miracle.
These are a bunch of my personal random thoughts. If you love knives you will be very happy in Annecy. Bring a hat (I did). Gloves and warm scarf (I did not). Monoprix is down the street fortunately.
I can say without question I love ❤️ Annecy 😊 And Bear 🐻 ❤️Loves it too. Bonne Sunday PBers. I will be back Monday afternoon. I messed up my return but not I’m sorry 😊 Now I will run out to the Sunday marché!! 🤸🏾♀️🦢💋🍎
Annecy looks charming. You and Bear must be having lots of fun exploring and eating! There certainly is a lot of cheese! How were your sleeping accomodations? You lucked out and get to stay another day & we get to see more of Annecy! Enjoy❤️
Gorgeous❣️ Love all your photos…it looks like Switzerland…love the pottery…and SO cheese/cow centric…I had to get out the Tums just looking at the pics, I would love it❣️
What a stunning location…lake, mountains, clean air, cheese…what’s not to love?? I’m betting that a red polka dot piece of pottery goes home with you to Paris! Enjoy the Marché, looking forward to seeing more photos.
Thank you for sharing this stunning treasure of a city with us. Love these photos, and will look forward to seeing any artwork you may create based on Annecy. Have you read Catherine Berry's delightful and informative book about her Australian family's years in the Annecy area? The title is "But You Are in France, Madame."
Loved Annecy when we were there about 8 years ago- and know the exact shop which features the polka dot pottery you shared! My nose pressed to the glass of their window and a broken heart that they were closed…until one day they opened briefly fior about 2 hours & we fortuitously happened to stumble in…several small pieces made their way into my suitcase. If I lived within driving distance I’d back my wagon right up to the door and buy them out the shop! Thanks for reminding me of our wonderful stay in this charming town.
I haven’t been to Annecy for decades. Thanks for the trip down memory lane...as beautiful as ever. I loved the park with the towering trees. During the pandemic I was in St Thibaud de Coux not far from Chambery teaching a French woman English. I had planned to go to Aix les Bains and so many other places but President Macron made sure those plans would have to wait for another day. Wise decision. The gift was daily mountain walks with a French septigenerienne who shared her world with me and helped me improve my French language sales. Thanks, too, to Kiwi with book title. I look forward to your tales and art...merci!
Now you tell me Elizabeth! I flirted like mad in that shop yesterday but couldn’t decide. The odd thing for such a touristic town like Annecy is most shops are closed on Sunday (when there are tons of visitors) and on Mondays too like the rest of France. It doesn't make sense. This town is so pretty. Every shot is an instant picture postcard. Beautiful bright, cloud-free sunny days which intensify the pastel colors of the stucco houses. And then here are the reflections in the canals. A painter’s dream if you know what you’re doing. And very challenging if you don’t. SUZY, what a wonderful adventure you had! Thanks KIWI for the book title…I’m sure I’d enjoy it too.
Carol, thank you. I appreciate knowing exactly where you are. You make it so interesting. Sigh……..I miss it all……….this virus has really isolated us all, but you take us there and we are comforted.
Sweet Annecy! It looks so much more crowded than when I was there - maybe 2005? In Winter, all the outdoor cafes take the tables inside and the streets are opened up. Some things change, but hopefully, the best things remain the same. Looking forward to what you find at the market. p.s. Airbnb has some awesome apartment rentals in Vieille Ville.
I love Annecy! I was an au pair in Aix-les-Bains in 1981(!). I learned to windsurf on Lac du Bourget, and climbed Le Dent du Chat. What memories! Thanks for bringing them back!
What a fabulous sounding town for an adventure- thank you for sharing and looking forward to the day I can consider visiting! ❤️
ReplyDeleteAnnecy looks charming. You and Bear must be having lots of fun exploring and eating! There certainly is a lot of cheese!
ReplyDeleteHow were your sleeping accomodations? You lucked out and get to stay another day & we get to see more of Annecy!
Enjoy❤️
Carol, stunning. Gorgeous photos and descriptions. Makes me want to go!
ReplyDeleteI would stay away from the specialite that made you sick. Holy moly! Bonne journee to you and Bear!
ReplyDeleteIt was me…not used to so much rich food that gave me a tummy ache not the food! I had another tartiflette with saumon today.
ReplyDeleteToue va bien ;))
Gorgeous❣️ Love all your photos…it looks like Switzerland…love the pottery…and SO cheese/cow centric…I had to get out the Tums just looking at the pics, I would love it❣️
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning location…lake, mountains, clean air, cheese…what’s not to love?? I’m betting that a red polka dot piece of pottery goes home with you to Paris! Enjoy the Marché, looking forward to seeing more photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this stunning treasure of a city with us. Love these photos, and will look forward to seeing any artwork you may create based on Annecy. Have you read Catherine Berry's delightful and informative book about her Australian family's years in the Annecy area? The title is "But You Are in France, Madame."
ReplyDeleteFascinating title! I’m going to look it up.
DeleteIt looks wonderful, Carol. What a terrific holiday you are having!
ReplyDeleteI love all you adventures around France. If I can’t be there I can follow you. Thanks so much for all the interesting information.
ReplyDeleteLoved Annecy when we were there about 8 years ago- and know the exact shop which features the polka dot pottery you shared! My nose pressed to the glass of their window and a broken heart that they were closed…until one day they opened briefly fior about 2 hours & we fortuitously happened to stumble in…several small pieces made their way into my suitcase. If I lived within driving distance I’d back my wagon right up to the door and buy them out the shop! Thanks for reminding me of our wonderful stay in this charming town.
ReplyDeleteI haven’t been to Annecy for decades. Thanks for the trip down memory lane...as beautiful as ever. I loved the park with the towering trees. During the pandemic I was in St Thibaud de Coux not far from Chambery teaching a French woman English. I had planned to go to Aix les Bains and so many other places but President Macron made sure those plans would have to wait for another day. Wise decision. The gift was daily mountain walks with a French septigenerienne who shared her world with me and helped me improve my French language sales.
ReplyDeleteThanks, too, to Kiwi with book title.
I look forward to your tales and art...merci!
Now you tell me Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteI flirted like mad in that shop yesterday but couldn’t decide. The odd thing for such a touristic town like Annecy is most shops are closed on Sunday (when there are tons of visitors) and on Mondays too like the rest of France. It doesn't make sense.
This town is so pretty. Every shot is an instant picture postcard. Beautiful bright, cloud-free sunny days which intensify the pastel colors of the stucco houses. And then here are the reflections in the canals. A painter’s dream if you know what you’re doing. And very challenging if you don’t.
SUZY, what a wonderful adventure you had!
Thanks KIWI for the book title…I’m sure I’d enjoy it too.
Carol, thank you. I appreciate knowing exactly where you are. You make it so interesting.
ReplyDeleteSigh……..I miss it all……….this virus has really isolated us all, but you take us there and we are comforted.
Aww Bev ❤️
ReplyDeleteYou’ll make it over soon I hope 🙏
Meantime I’m going to try to visit a new place every month. I’ve neglected seeing France for too long.
Like Ga, I wonder about your accommodations: Did you like them? Would you recommend them? You've never steered us readers wrong.
ReplyDeleteAnnency looks so charming - I love the canals. Can't wait to see your watercolors of the towns charms. So glad Bear got to accompany you. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteTalloire is amazing on the lake if you still have time.
ReplyDeletebon dimanche & merci pour le tour of Anncey !
ReplyDeleteSweet Annecy! It looks so much more crowded than when I was there - maybe 2005? In Winter, all the outdoor cafes take the tables inside and the streets are opened up. Some things change, but hopefully, the best things remain the same. Looking forward to what you find at the market.
ReplyDeletep.s. Airbnb has some awesome apartment rentals in Vieille Ville.
Ha I’m in a little 2** hotel. Suites me fine.
ReplyDeleteLocation is great and the light.
I love Annecy! I was an au pair in Aix-les-Bains in 1981(!). I learned to windsurf on Lac du Bourget, and climbed Le Dent du Chat. What memories! Thanks for bringing them back!
ReplyDelete