When I mentioned to friends that we were going to Annecy, I often got the reaction, "Oh I love Annecy! It's so beautiful."

Located on the lovely Lac d'Annecy and surrounded by mountains, Annecy enjoys a beautiful setting. With the lake, the Thiou River, and several canals, the town takes advantage of its waters. Some refer to it as the "Venice of Savoy."

The Vieille Ville, or old town, is a warren of tiny streets, bridges over the canals and river, colorful buildings, and shops and restaurants. More...

The Palais de l'Ile is the iconic symbol of Annecy and one of the most photographed buildings in France. But it's much more than that and makes an interesting visit. More...

The other main attraction in town is the Musée-Château d'Annecy, perched on a hill in the center of town. Walk up the steep street to enjoy the museum and the views. More...

Annecy also has several interesting churches. The Cathédrale St-Pierre and Église Notre-Dame-de-Liesse are the center of town, while the Basilica and Monastery of the Visitation is on a hill overlooking the town. More...

And then of course there is the lake itself. There are lovely walking and biking paths, as well as opportunities for boating and swimming. More...

Want to see more of Lake Annecy? There are a variety of options for boat tours, ranging from a one hour trip to longer excursions that include meals. More...

If you'd rather see the Lac d'Annecy from land, you can easily drive around the lake in a half a day. More...

And for a special treat, if you can arrange to be in Annecy the second Saturday in October, you can enjoy the Retour des Alpages, the traditional celebration of when the livestock return from their summer grazing. More...

No matter when you visit Annecy, you can enjoy its fascinating history, beautiful architecture, and splendid natural setting.

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