Annecy - Savoy Venice

The ancient city of Annecy is the main city of the French department of Haute Savoy. It is located on the shores of the cleanest lake in Europe, the mountain lake Ansi. The similarity to Venice gives the city many canals flowing throughout the city. The city was founded by the Romans in the middle of the 1st century and was called Bute. The name was later changed to Annecy le Vieux. In the 11th century it changed to New Annecy.

We will walk along the embankment of the Tew Canal, which is a natural river connecting Lake Annecy with the Fieu River. The Tew River is the smallest river, only 5 km long. The arcade cobblestone streets abound with charming canals with small beautiful bridges and colorful Piedmontese-style houses decorated with flowers. Houses in Annecy literally grow out of the water. Many old houses have preserved water doors and near their walls you can see stone stairs leading to the water, which used to be used for mooring boats.

An extensive system of canals was initially designed to regulate the water level in the lake, and in the 19th century the canals brought hydraulic energy to new industries that contributed to the development of the city.

We will meet on the promenade of Lake Annecy, walk through the luxurious English Park Gardens of Europe. You can make a wish on the Bridge of Lovers, there is a belief that if lovers make a kiss in the middle of the bridge, they will be together for life!

Annecy is an authentic city that has preserved its true appearance since medieval times, the streets of which keep the memory of amazing historical events. There are many cathedrals and churches: the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Liès, which was the family tomb of the Counts of Geneva, the Church of St. Francis of Sala, built in honor of the Bishop of Geneva, Francis of Sala, listed as a saint, and his spiritual student John de Chantal.

We will see the Gothic church of Saint-Maurice, which is the patron of the city of Annecy, the Town Hall, St. Peter's Cathedral, where Jean-Jacques Rousseau sang from the choirs in his youth. Here, near a small fountain with a golden balustrade, you will hear a romantic love story.

After walking along the old passages and bridges, we will see the “calling card” of Annecy – an old prison of the 13th century – the Palais de Lille, resembling a floating ship. Here in the cells of the former prison, located on the same level as the water, you can feel all the horror and suffering that the prisoners of the prison had to endure.

We will walk along the main street of the Old Town of Saint Clair, where shops and cafes hid in the "cool" arcades. To avoid flooding after the floods of the 15th century, houses, instead of wooden beams, were built on stone arcades. Arcades allowed pedestrians to move comfortably under them, to place in the workshops of artisans, and the middle of the street served for horse transport.

You will see the old gate of St. Clara of the 15th century, preserved from the old city fortifications of Annecy. They protected the entrance to the medieval city, at the top of the gate still preserved mashikuli. On a steep road that rises along the former city fortifications, we climb to Annecy Castle, beautifully towering above the city. The castle, built between the 12th and 16th centuries, long served as the residence of the Counts of Geneva-Nemoor, and Annecy was the capital of the County of Geneva.

If desired, you can take a boat ride on Lake Annecy. In the city of Annecy there are many different restaurants, where you can find magnificent French wines and dishes from freshly caught lake fish.

At your service is a comfortable car:

• Mercedes-Benz V-Class, 8-seat cabin.
• Wi-Fi in the interior of the car
• Child seats
• Free drinking water