A Day in Annecy, France

Last Weekend we drove to Annecy, a little town in France with only around 50.000 habitants (which probably doubles during summer time). Even though we knew we were in France, we could feel a certain swiss-italian air around us - the lake, the Alps, the numerous restaurants and cafes, the unending ice cream offer... and most of all, the canals - I could have said we were in Venice!

Just as its italian version, Annecy is fully booked over summer - there were probably as many tourists (aside from us) as locals. Or maybe even more? However, this should not be considered as a problem, but just a harmless warning.

To start, the best thing to be done is to make yourself with a map of the city center. It's far simpler than Venice (where I got lost several times and, even with a map, ended in a complete different direction). I found this map on the internet - unfortunately a little too late to make use of it, but it seems to be quite practical to get a first overview. From then on, the trick is in being curious - there are a lot of very small passages that lead to enchanted hidden paths and I doubt that you'll find all of them on the maps, such as Chemin des Remparts or L'impasse du Trippoz. There's a hidden corner near the Chateau when walking down the Chemin des Remparts and turning left. It's a viewpoint from which you can see the towns roof tops.

When continuing the same little road, you'll get to see lovely town houses and will be lead to another passage that then guides you to one of the main streets in the vieux ville, Rue Perrière.

Every last saturday of the month, these streets are crowded with people attracted by the vintage flea market and an art market (which mainly takes place on Vicenza Quay) going on from 8am to 5pm. There's definitely something for everyone - I fell in love with these vintage ice-skates!

The town center is big enough to spend a good day exploring its corners. Of course, the main touristic streets are also a must - anything around the Thiou is a bit more expensive, but it's definitely worth a walk. I also recommend walking taking a walk around Notre Dame and, if you have time, take a walk in the Chateau (doors close at 5pm during summer on a saturday!).

If you decide to spend some sunny days in Annecy, you can't escape from spending some hours on the shores of the cleanest lake in Europe. There are a few so-called beaches - remember, you're talking with an island girl here, a beach is not really a beach without waves and sand. Ok, being more permissive - there's one beach I would certainly recommend, which is the Plage d'Angon Talloires. It's simply and naturally beautiful. However, you do need a car to get to this spot, as its almost across Annecy, on the other edge of the Lake (about a 30 minutes drive).

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Unfortunately summer seems to be over in Switzerland (and so does in Annecy...). But I'll surely check again during winter - I heard it also has a good christmas market!