Visit Lake Annecy

Annecy is a city in central-east France, in the Rhone-Alpes region, situated on the shores of Lake Annecy. As far as the history of this city goes, it was greatly influenced by that of two other cities, which are in its proximity, Geneva and Chambery.

Those interested in visiting Annecy should know that there are quite a few sites of interest in this city, such as Palais de lIsle, also known by the name old prison, which is one of the most photographed monuments in the entire country, being very old (it was built in the twelfth century) and also the symbol of Annecy. The Annecy Castle (Château dAnnecy in French), which used to be the home of the Counts of Geneva, now houses the Regional Office of the Alpine Lakes, as well as the Art and History Conservatory of Annecy, and is yet another one of the most notable attractions for tourists. Rue Sainte-Claire, which dates from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries; the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre, built in the sixteenth century, now home to numerous baroque pieces and artworks from the nineteenth century; the church of Saint-Maurice, housing paintings as old as five hundred years; the History Museum of Annecy, where of the money workshop of Geneva used to be; the European Gardens, where very diverse and rich vegetation can be admired; all these are just some of the places that tourists to Annecy must visit. But sightseeing is not only about old monuments and cathedrals. The city also enchants tourists with remarkable constructions of the twentieth century, such as the Bridge of Love (Pont des Amours), which is a fine example of iron architecture typical of contemporary times, or the Basilique de la Visitation, which offers a splendid view of the town.

Lake Annecy is the second largest in France, if we do not count the French part of Lake Geneva. Lake Annecy also goes by the name of Europes cleanest lake, ever since some very strict environmental regulations were introduced in the 1960s. The clarity and purity of the waters in Lake Annecy are preserved due to a main sewer, which encircles the entire lake, but also due a lot of cleaning-up work, which protects this superb environment. It is the water sports and swimming in particular that have turned this lake into a very popular destination for tourists.

Lake Annecy has a very old history, having formed as long ago as 18,000 years, from large alpine glaciers. The lake is now surrounded by mountains and fed by small rivers from these mountains, but also by an underwater source, the Boubioz. Both attractive towns and glorious mountain scenery surround Lake Annecy. The town of Annecy, considered to be one of the most charming and attractive towns in the Alps, is also surrounded by mountains and set right at the northern tip of Lake Annecy.

If you are planning an extended trip to France, there is no reason why you shouldnt stop in this region and discover a beautiful part of this romantic country.