The area referred to as "the little Venice of the French Alps" is Annecy, known for its picturesque canals and stunning alpine backdrop.
Annecy is situated at the northern tip of Lake Annecy, often considered one of the cleanest lakes in Europe.
The town features a well-preserved medieval old town, complete with cobbled streets and colorful buildings dating back to the 12th century.
The Thiou River flows through Annecy, creating a series of charming canals that add to the town’s romantic ambiance.
Annecy hosts the International Animated Film Festival, one of the largest and most prestigious animation festivals in the world, annually attracting filmmakers and fanatics from around the globe.
The Palais de l’Isle, a former prison and current historical monument, is one of the most photographed landmarks in Annecy.
The Lake Annecy area is popular for outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, swimming, and sailing, thanks to its stunning natural landscape.
Annecy is adorned with numerous parks and gardens, such as the Jardins de l’Europe, providing scenic views of the lake and mountains.
The city is strategically located close to major ski resorts, making it a popular base for winter sports enthusiasts.
Annecy’s culinary scene is renowned for local specialties, such as tartiflette and fresh lake fish, reflecting its alpine heritage.
The annual Annecy Carnival features colorful costumes and parades, drawing visitors for its unique Venetian-inspired celebrations.
- The historic Chateau d’Annecy, perched on a hill, offers panoramic views of the town and surrounding landscapes, showcasing the region’s history and architecture.
Small, colorful, crisscrossed by canals and bridges. This is the Little Venice of the transalpine…
There are places that look like postcards, photos taken by the imagination for their beauty and colors. They are small, sometimes little-known hidden places, they are gems that one would never think to find. They are small hamlets, charming little towns, incredible places that enter the heart by their atmosphere their colors. They are ideal places for a spring trip. There are so many of these villages in Italy, but even in countries close to us there is no shortage of these small towns that remain in the heart. The France, for example, is full of small villages reminiscent of wonderful and iconic cities, and one of these cities is precisely Venice. It is clear that their wonder will never be like that of the lagoon city, but it is precisely the small size that makes these places so distinctive and unique. In France there are many small towns that are commonly called “Little Venice.”, but there is one that most of all makes anyone who chooses to visit fall in love with it, and that is the Little Venice of the French Alps.
It is in Haute Savoie that you will find the Little Venice of the French Alps that will make you dream
We are at the foot of the worlds Bauges e Bornes, in the heart of Haute-Savoie, on one of the Europe’s cleanest lakes crossed by the river Thiou, in a natural setting that makes everything more special, this is where the “little Venice of Savoy”! We are talking about Annecy a rather large village of medieval origin crisscrossed by canals, with pastel-colored houses, stone bridges, in a location that makes it an ideal summer and winter destination. Annecy is a place to experience exclusively on foot and it is precisely this that will allow you to immerse yourself in an endless fairy tale. This enchanting center is made even more beautiful by a number of buildings to visit, but also by its artisanal boutiques or small bistros where you can have pleasant tastings of local wines and cheeses. In short, in Annecy nature, flavors, history and traditions come together and create an ideal destination for a trip across the border.
What to do and see in Annecy
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Annecy precisely because of all it has to offer manages to please everyone. Here is everything you can do if you are planning to take a trip to theHaute-Savoie, in the little Venice beyond the Alps. In this season…
Stroll around discovering the historic center
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It really takes a walk, a walk without a watch, to visit the historic center of Annecy and discover it step by step. No cars are allowed in this small center, which allows even more to experience the magic of this place and take a pleasant step back in time. It is by going on foot that you will cross canals, bridges you will be enraptured by the beauty of the small colorful houses that have a bit of the style of mountain houses and more noble buildings that are somewhat reminiscent of the Piedmontese style. The first stop to see is definitely Place Georges Volland the centerpiece of the village where the village market takes place every Sunday, Tuesday and Friday in the morning and really becomes a kaleidoscope of colors and scents. Look around with your eyes you will discover a small artisanal pastry shop, come in, it is the pastry shop Philippe Rigollot and sit at one of the outdoor tables at the Café de la Place.
Discover the famous Palais de l’Île
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One striking stop is the Palais de l’Île, a castle-prison from the 12th century that now houses a museum. It is a truly symbolic palace for the place because first it was a prison then a court and then the home of the castellan of Annecy and later, with the settlement of the Counts of Geneva, it was an “administrative palace.” Today there is a museum here that mounts historical exhibitions about the place.
Move away from the center to discover the beautiful Basilica of the Visitation
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It is not far from the center and is the iconic basilica of Annecy a building that dates from 1900 and has a neo-Romanesque style with a white stone facade and the main entrance dominated by a wide arch. The interior, on the other hand, features elegant marble columns and polychrome stained-glass windows depicting the lives of the two religious men buried here, and its special feature is the bell tower, integrated into the facade and 72 meters high-a truly stunning vantage point over the city and lake
Treat yourself to a mouth-watering break with wine and cheese tastings
The chistoric interior of Annecy is full of typical little restaurants where you can sample local cuisine in a romantic and quaint atmosphere. From the most traditional to the most gourmet offerings, all palates are catered for. An experience just not to be missed is to make a tasting of the very fine cheeses in the Haute Savoie area.. Local varieties include. Beaufort, Chevrotin and Tomme de Savoie. as well as many others. Raclette can truly be an experience not to be missed!
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