Annecy has got to be one of France’s most picturesque towns, with its turquoise lake and stunning mountain backdrop. It lies on the northern tip of Lake Annecy, 35 kilometres south of Geneva, and in the summer attracts thousands of visitors who come here to swim or hike. The medieval town centre built around a 14th Century Chateau is dissected by small canals and streams running out of the lake. That’s why it’s called sometimes the Venice of Savoie.
Considered to be the purest lake in Europe, the Lac d'Annecy represents the soul of the town. In the centre of the Thiou canal lies Palais de l’Isle, built in 1132. It was the primary residence of the Lord of Annecy, later became the Count of Geneva’s administrative headquarters, and finally a jail from the Middle Ages until 1865.
The Palais de l'Ile was classified as a Historical Monument in 1900, and today houses a local history museum. You can learn all about the fascinating history of the region at the Château d'Annecy Museum. 150 years ago, the Duchy of Savoy became part of France.
The Cathedrale Saint-Pierre d’Annecy was bilt by Jacques Rossel at the beginning of the 16th century as a chapel for a Franciscan priory and it was raised to the status of a cathedral in 1822. One distinguishing feature of the monument is the organ, which was built between 1840-1842 by Nicolas Antoine Lete.
For a romantic holiday you can visit the “rue Sainte-Claire” street and its romantic arches dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. On the middle of the Pont des Amours above “le petit” Thiou, be careful who you kiss: the legend says that after one kiss on this bridge you will remain together for life.
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