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Annecy
by Lars Haagen Petersen
Annecy is one of Europe's most beautiful cities and this is partly due to the many canals running through the town and because of the clearest and cleanest lake in Europe - Lac d'Annecy. The city centre can be dated back to the Middle Ages which by no means makes it less charming.
Lake Annecy - September 2009
Annecy has a long and rich history dating back to Roman times. The city was once the capital of the Counts of Geneva, and later of the Dukes of Savoy. The city has preserved many of its historic buildings and monuments, such as the impressive Château d'Annecy, the Gothic Palais de l'Isle and the Romanesque Cathedral Saint-Pierre. The city is also known for its old town, which is filled with colorful houses, cobbled streets and flower-filled canals. The city has been nicknamed the "Venice of the Alps" because of its romantic atmosphere. Unfortunately, many tourists have noticed the beautiful area and this has made it almost impossible to drive in the city - and what is worse - it is almost impossible to park a car. If you plan to stay overnight in the city a good tip would be to find an accommodation with its own parking space otherwise you may have to park the car a couple of miles from the centre.
About parking in Annecy
Palais de l'Isle jail
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September 2009
Palais de l'Isle jail is an old castle from the 12th century,
which is located on an island in the river Thiou in Annecy. It was originally built as a fortress
and a custom-house of the Counts of Geneva, who held power over the city. Later it was used
such as a mint, a palace, a courtroom and a prison. It has also been known
as "the house in the shape of a ship" because of its characteristic appearance.
Wanted
The Palais de l'Isle jail has witnessed many historical events and personalities. It has housed famous prisoners such as François Bonivard, a Swiss patriot who stayed inspired by Voltaire's poem "Le Prisonnier de Chillon", or Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a French philosopher who was arrested for having written "Émile ou De l'éducation". It has also been the scene of dramatic trials, such as the one against Joan of Arc's mother, Isabelle Romée, who was accused of witchcraft in 1430. The Palais de l'Isle jail is today a museum and a center for architecture and cultural heritage. It offers an exciting insight into the city's history and identity. It also shows some of the original cells and instruments of torture used in the prison.
Over 100 prisoners at once
During the French Revolution, the prison became overcrowded. In 1794, more than 100 prisoners were confined in the small building, and several rooms were converted into extra cells. One can only imagine how cramped and unhealthy the conditions must have been.
A prison guard bought his job
Until the 17th century, the position of prison warden was actually sold to the highest bidder. Whoever bought the position was responsible for the prison – and at the same time had to try to make money from its operation. This tells us something about how different the legal system worked back then.
From Pont des Amours to Vasse channel Annecy - October 2009
The many tourists, have for obvious reasons left their mark on the city which has 120,000 inhabitants. All sorts of restaurants and souvenir shops have sprung up, but fortunately without being as obtrusive as you see so many other places.
Palais de l'Isle jail by night - September 2009
Annecy is in the Haute-Savoie
department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It lies on
northern tip of Lake Annecy (Lac d'Annecy), 35 kilometres south of Geneva.
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On a hot summers day..... |
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...there will be a lot of boats on Lake Annecy (Lac d'Annecy) |
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...especially near the city Annecy where boats can be rented. |
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Lake Annecy - September 2009
When we visited the city it was outside the tourist season, but still there were a lot of people and I dare not think of how crowded there must be in the high season.
Annecy is also a popular destination for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts. Lake Annecy is the second largest natural lake in France and offers many opportunities for activities such as swimming, sailing, kayaking, fishing and water skiing. Around the lake you can enjoy the fantastic view of the surrounding mountains, which are part of the Alps. You can also walk, cycle or drive along the many paths and roads that connect the picturesque villages and landscapes. In winter, you can easily reach some of the best ski resorts in France, such as La Clusaz, Le Grand Bornand and Megève.
Annecy - September 2009
Lake Annecy (French: Lac d'Annecy) is a lake in Haute-Savoie in France. It is named after the town of Annecy, which marks the beginning of the Thiou, the tributary of Lake Annecy. It is the third largest lake in France, after Lac du Bourget and Lac de Grand-Lieu, if the French part of Lake Geneva shared between Switzerland and France is excluded. It is known as 'Europe's cleanest lake' due to strict environmental regulations introduced in the 1960s.
Lake Annecy hides several secrets
When you stand by the crystal clear, turquoise blue water of Lake Annecy, it is hard to imagine that just 60-70 years ago the lake was close to being destroyed. In the 1950s and 1960s, the growing population around the lake led to increasing pollution, algae growth and falling oxygen levels in the water. Instead of allowing development to continue, the municipalities around the lake joined forces on an ambitious project, in which all wastewater was led away through a common sewage system. The result was one of Europe's greatest environmental successes, and today Lake Annecy is considered one of the cleanest inhabited lakes on the continent. The turquoise blue water is therefore not only due to the forces of nature itself, but also to a determined effort to protect the lake. Beneath the glossy surface, there is also a history that goes back several thousand years. Archaeologists have found remains of Stone and Bronze Age villages, which today lie on the bottom of the lake. They were once on the bank, but changes in water levels have since flooded them. The finds are so significant that they are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps.
The shipwreck 'Le France'
The lakebed also holds a much more recent history.
The passenger ship 'Le France', built in 1909 and capable of carrying around 700 passengers,
rests here. After more than 50 years of faithful service, the ship was taken out of service
and served for a few years as a floating holiday home. On the night of March 13, 1971, it
suddenly sank to the bottom at a depth of around 42 metres. Stories of sabotage and insurance
fraud have abounded over the years, but the most likely explanation is a combination of poor
maintenance, frost damage and a leak in the hull. The wreck still lies on the lakebed and is
today considered one of Europe's most famous freshwater wrecks. The small river Thiou, which
runs through Annecy's old town, is only around 3½ kilometres long and is often considered one
of France's shortest rivers. In the Middle Ages, it was the lifeblood of the city, where the
water powered mills, sawmills and forges. Today, the canals are surrounded by cafés and flowers,
giving Annecy the nickname "Venice of the Alps".
Palais de l'Isle jail
The city has many bridges that allow
visitors to enjoy the fairytale charm of the city. Flowers in pots are seen
everywhere and decorate e.g. on the bridges and not least on the elegant
footbridge by the lake.
From
Annecy -
September 2009
Annecy is an extremely popular tourist
destination that attracts many visitors every year. According to reports, Annecy
receives around 3 million visitors each year and this may explain why it is so
difficult to park.
From
Annecy -
September 2009
The lake was formed about 18,000 years ago when the great Alpine glaciers
melted. It is supplied with water from many small rivers from the surrounding
mountains (Ire, Eau morte, Laudon, Bornette and Biolon) and a powerful
underground spring, Boubioz, with a depth of 82 meters.
Parking spaces in Annecy's Old Town are limited, especially during the summer months. The easiest solution is to use
one of the centrally located parking garages, such as Parking de l'Hôtel de Ville, Parking Bonlieu or
Parking Sainte-Claire, all of which are just a few minutes' walk from the historic centre. If you are visiting
in July or August, it is advisable to arrive before 9–10 a.m., as the parking garages tend to fill up quickly. If the
city centre is already full, the local authorities recommend using one of the free
Park & Ride facilities on
the outskirts of the city and taking a bus into the centre. One last piece of advice I would like to highlight: Many tourists spend a lot of time driving around the narrow streets,
even though it is often both faster and less stressful to park once and experience Annecy on foot.
Andre glimrende rejsemål
Other fine destinations
Ni breve til geheimearkivar m.m. C. F
Wegener:
There are many towns and villages around the lake, including Annecy, Veyrier-du-Lac,
Menthon-Saint-Bernard, Talloires, Doussard, Duingt, Saint-Jorioz and sårier. A
cycle path goes partly around Lake Annecy past Sevrier and St Jorioz to Ugine.
The goal is to reach Albertville. The lake is about 14 km long.
The cycle path around Lake Annecy, also known as the "Voie Verte", is about
42-43 km long. The route is mostly flat and follows a car-free cycle path,
making it a pleasant bike ride free of worries about cars. However, there are
parts between Bout-du-Lac and Menthon-Saint-Bernard where a cycle path has not
yet been built, and there you will have to cycle on the road.Parking in Annecy
