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Annecy, France -- The Venice of the Savoy Region
If you find yourself
traveling in the region of Savoy (the high Alps) in
France, you should make time to visit the city of Annecy.
Sitting on the edge of the clear blue
waters of the Lac d' Annecy (Annecy Lake), near the
Swiss and Italian borders, Annecy is a study in contrasts.
It blends all the conveniences of the modern world with
old-world style charm, culture and architecture.
One of the main attractions in Annecy
is the "Vieux Village", where the beautiful
Thiou Canal runs through the center of old Annecy, and
a walk along the cobblestone pathways next to the canal
brings to mind pictures of Venice. You be amazed at
the clearness of the water, the many beautiful flowers,
the quaint shops and numerous sidewalk cafes. During
the summer months, you can enjoy many different types
of music by local street musicians. There are a variety
of festivals, exhibits and cultural events throughout
the year for your pleasure.
Because of its geographical location,
Annecy has had a somewhat turbulent past, and was invaded
many times over the centuries. It became the property
of the County of Geneva and then the County of Savoy
because of marriage, inheritance and then being sold.
Annecy and the Savoy region were invaded or ruled by
the Sicilians, Sardinians, Spanish and Austrians.
In 1860, to free itself from Austrian
Domination, the King of Sardinia asked Napoleon III
for military assistance, and offered the Savoy region
(which included the city of Nice) in return. The Savoyards,
who were impressed with the order and strength of the
French regime, voted to join the French Empire in April
of the same year. The Savoy region was divided into
two "departements" – the Haute-Savoie
and the Savoie, with Annecy and Chambery becoming the
two capitals.
During the Middle Ages, the river played
a key economic role in the development of Annecy. In
1870, the Building Engineer for the city, Sadi Carnot,
completed a system of gates to regularize the flow of
the Thiou, raise the level of the lake making it easier
for merchants and bringing trade to the city. Sadi Carnot
became President of the French Republic in 1887.
The spring-fed lake of Annecy appeared
18,000 years ago and is about 27.2 km. Today, it is
proudly listed as one of the cleanest lakes in the world,
and there are beautiful parks and boardwalks surrounding
it where you can enjoy a stroll at sunset.
There are so many sites to see in Annecy,
it’s hard to know where to begin. When you’re
in the old part of the city, there are few cars –
in fact, most of the extremely narrow, winding streets
are for pedestrians only.
You could start your tour of Annecy
with the Chateau d'Annecy, which is located on a limestone
spur of the Semnoz Mountain. The chateau sits on top
of a hill that looks down onto the rooftops of the town
and Lake Annecy. The Musee d’Annecy (the Museum
of Annecy) is also located in the chateau, and provides
information about the history of the town.
The oldest part of this former stronghold
is the Queens Tower, which dates all the way back to
the 12th Century. In 1394, the chateau became the official
residence of the Counts of Geneva, and remained until
the death of the last family member, when the Dukes
of Savoy took possession of it. It was abandoned in
the 18th Century, and then used as a barracks from 1742
until 1947.
The Palais de l'Isle is another monument
in Annecy – in fact, it is said to be the most
photographed building in France. Its unique, triangular
shape makes it look like the bow of a ship, and from
certain angles it appears to be floating in the canal.
In the 12th Century it became the first residence of
the Governor of Annecy, and then was used for administrative
purposes when the Counts of Geneva settled in Annecy.
It was also the court building, the Mint and a prison
during the French Revolution. It now houses a museum
and a variety of exhibitions throughout the year.
Enjoy the walk to the Sainte-Claire
gate that was named for the old Clarisses convent built
near Annecy. The gate has remained intact, and when
you see its old hinges, machicolations, and its bell
turret, you can understand the importance of this location
in Annecy as a tactical point facing towards Aix-les
Bains and Chambery. This gate was part of the city’s
pre-defense.
The Notre-Dame-de-Liesse church is characterized
by its Roman bell tower (that leans slightly), the Jean-Jaques
Rousseau square and the old town hall are other sites
worth seeing.
Friday is market day in the old section
of town, and everywhere you look there are vendors selling
fresh fish, flowers and fruits and vegetables, as well
as a wide variety of other wares.
The rest of Annecy is a large, thriving
city that boasts the finest of cultural entertainment
and all of the conveniences of modern life. You can
find plenty of supermarkets, fashion boutiques and industry
of every kind in this lakeside paradise.
And there is no shortage of physical
activities – everything from boating, water skiing,
paragliding and swimming to golf, skiing and jogging.
You’ll find something for everyone
in Annecy, so make a point of stopping to smell the
roses (and all the other beautiful flowers) in this
beautiful city by the lake.
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