This is a French city whose charm, landscapes and gastronomy hit the bull’s eye to visitors, summer and winter. The little extra thing? Its lake, officially elected the cleanest in France, but also in Europe.
It is not a legend or a marketing formula: the water body of this city was classified as the cleanest in Europe. Indeed, regular analyzes confirm this and this dates back to the 1960s …
At that time, the town launched an ambitious policy of depollution. The wastewater was deflected, the treatment was reinforced, the motor boats were supervised and the constructions around the limited lake. Result: limpid water, specific to swimming, continuous monitoring. Thus, even in the middle of summer, the beaches remain accessible, well -organized nautical activities, protected natural areas. Kayak, paddle, swimming, sailing, pedal boats, guided cruise: the offer is wide, reasonable prices, numerous providers.
Nevertheless, its success is not based solely on the lake. The city also puts on a solid gastronomic offer. Eight star restaurants are installed here, a record for a city of this size. There is no shortage of more affordable options, such as local addresses specializing in cheeses in the region: raclette, reblochon, Croziflette, Gratin Savoyard. For a meal at less than 20 euros, several well rated establishments offer traditional quality cuisine. The products are mainly local. Some craftsmen have been installed here for several generations. This is also the case for glaciers: there are a dozen in the center.
Visitors also come for outdoor activities. A cycle path goes around the lake for about 40 kilometers. She is practicable with family, with many points of break and catering. The arranged beaches are well distributed. That of Saint-Jorioz, for example, is equipped with a diver, volleyball courts and shaded areas. That of the Marquisats, closer to the center, is frequented at the end of the day, in particular by the inhabitants who meet there after work. Finally, for those who prefer to walk, several routes make it possible to reach points of view on the lake and the city. His name? Annecy.
She was then nicknamed “the Venice of the Alps” because of the canals crossing her old town. This nickname dates back to the 19th century, when the first romantic travelers began to compare its alleys lined with water and its flower bridges to those of Venice. The name has remained, even if it is mainly due to the aesthetics of the places, much more than any structural or historical resemblance to the Italian city. In short, this is an ideal point of fall in summer or during a break this fall.