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Vacations - France, Annecy
from: Jay BauderIf 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.
About the author:
Jay is the web owner of http://www.Rental-Cars-In.com
that provides information and resources on rental cars,
vacations, airfare, hotels, and travel. You can visit his
website at: http://www.hotels-in.net
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