Annecy must be the most beautiful of French towns, still preserved in medieval architectural glory. With its quaint canals and tiny bridges, it is justly referred to as the Venice of the Alps.
Nestling on the shore of the beautiful Lac d'Annecy, this historic town and capital city of the Haute-Savoie, has lots for day-visitors and tourists.
Take a guided tour of the Old Town with its castle and museum. Visit the Alpine Lake Museum. Enjoy the Old Town with its canals and cafes, its shops and architecture: then take a boat tour of the lake and finally finish the day with a lakeside stroll.
Annual events and festivals
International Animated Film Festival (5-10 June)
The Festival of the Lake ( 5 August)
Antiques Festival (24-28 August)
Italian Film Festival (3-10 Oct)
Transhumance-the return of animals from the high summer alpine pastures(14 Oct)
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Outdoor sports
Sports activities
Lake possibilities include swimming, windsurfing and kayaking. The water is crystal clear and not too cold. The surrounding scenery provides a marvellous backdrop.
The lake shore and surrounding countryside are great for roller-blading, mountain biking and walking.
There is good sport-climbing on the nearby cliffs and a big local paragliding scene.
Regular weekly events include:
Cruises on the lake - every day in season.
Street markets in the old town - on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday mornings.
For more information check with Annecy tourist office: 33 (0) 50 45 00 33 www.lac-annecy.com
