Annecy is a town and a French city, capital and prefecture of the
Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. North of
the French Alps, after Geneva 40 km to the north, Annecy is part of
the axis of the agglomerations of the Alpine furrow in alignment
with Chambéry then Valence and Grenoble.
The “Pearl of the
Alps” from Raoul Blanchard's urban monograph forms a contact gap
between the Plaine des Fins and the Prealps, forcing its population
inside its building zone from the 1960s to the municipal merger of
2017. Since the absorption of the territories of Annecy-le-Vieux,
Cran-Gevrier, Meythet, Pringy and Seynod, Annecy rises to 29th place
among the most populous French cities with 126,924 inhabitants, as
well as in 6th regional position urban areas behind Annemasse and in
front of Chambéry.
Historical residence of the counts of
Geneva in the thirteenth century, then of the counts of Savoy in the
fifteenth century, the village became the capital of Savoy with the
prerogative of Genevois-Nemours including Genevois, Faucigny and
Beaufortain from 1434 to 1659. Its role religious intensified in
1536, during the Calvinist Reformation; while the bishop of Geneva
took refuge there, François de Sales made it an advanced citadel of
the Catholic Counter-Reformation, earning it the nickname "Rome of
the Alps". The Treaty of Turin led to the Annexation of the Duchy of
Savoy, attaching the city to France in 1860 under the reign of
Napoleon III.
Its nickname of "Venice of the Alps" refers to
the rivers (Vassé canal, Saint Dominique and Thiou canal) which
protected the city, then brought hydraulic power to textile crafts,
gradually giving way to the industrialization of nineteenth century
which remains today through the presence of head offices, such as
Fusalp, SNR, Salomon, Mavic or Entremont, maintaining the employment
area in 2nd place in France (2015). In the twentieth century, the
tourist sector benefited from the renowned purity of the alpine air
and the lake, the surrounding winter sports, the conservation of
green spaces and a cultural heritage in the process of being
renovated. The touristic-cultural turning point began in 1960 with
the organization of the Annecy international animated film festival
and the lake festival, each attracting around a hundred thousand
visitors each summer. Its first university establishments opened in
1973 before giving birth to the Savoie Mont Blanc University in 1979
in partnership with the establishments of Savoie Technolac and
Jacob-Bellecombette.
Architectural Heritage
Medieval period
Palais de l'Isle
dating from the 12th century, it was built in the middle of the
Thiou canal to serve as prisons and courthouses. It is the symbolic
monument of the city and one of the most photographed monuments in
France.
Castle of Annecy overlooking the city, it is the former
residence of the Counts of Geneva and the Dukes of Genevois-Nemours,
younger branch of the House of Savoy (12th - 16th century). It now
houses the Conservatory of Art and History of Annecy and the
Regional Office for Alpine Lakes.
The old town crossed by many
canals and pedestrian arcaded streets. One of the most beautiful is
the rue Sainte-Claire with its romantic arches from the 17th and
18th centuries. One can also discover many fountains there. Among
them is that of the Saint-Jean well at the intersection of rue
Carnot and rue Royale, the heart of commercial and political life in
Annecy.
The canals through which the lake empties and the valves
that regulate the flows constitute a water diversion and control
system designed by the engineer Sadi Carnot before he became
President of the Republic.
Contemporary period
Pont des
Amours - above the Vassé Canal and connecting the Gardens of Europe
to Pâquier, a fine example of typical early 20th century iron
architecture. * The Imperial Palace Hotel inaugurated in 1913, with
its public gardens, beach and casino.
The prefecture dating from
the 19th century.
The modern Bonlieu Cultural Center where a
national theater, a library, the tourist office, shops and offices
are gathered.
The modern and airy Courthouse of Annecy, currently
under repair after a bomb attack on January 22, 2001.
The
Napoleonic Berthollet high school, founded in 1888.
The Genevois
monetary workshop which now houses the Annecy History Museum
Town
hall - Annecy town hall built in 1855
Religious monuments
16th century Saint-Pierre cathedral, it was the cathedral of
François de Sales and houses many works of Baroque art and a
splendid 19th century organ.
Saint-Maurice Church - flamboyant
Gothic style from the 15th century and its paintings from the 15th
and 16th centuries.
Basilica of the Visitation - from the
twentieth century houses the tombs of Saint François de Sales and
Saint Joan of Chantal and offers from its esplanade a beautiful view
of the whole city and the agglomeration.
Basilica of
Saint-Joseph-des-Fins - built during the Second World War by the
famous architect Dom Bellot.
Environmental heritage
Annecy
is a city in bloom with 4 flowers in the Flower Cities and Villages
Competition and the grand prize for flowers.
Parks and
squares
The parks and green spaces the most popular with Annecy
residents are undoubtedly those located on the shores of the lake
which attract many walkers in all seasons:
Gardens of Europe -
located on the site of the gardens of a community of nuns, were
developed after the Treaty of Turin in 1863 and offer a diverse
collection of trees.
Le Paquier - large lawn with a clear view of
the lake. It accommodates the temporary stands installed for the
lake festival.
Imperial Park - it juts out into the lake behind
the palace of the same name.
Other smaller green spaces dot the
city: the Stalingrad square in front of the station, the Martyrs de
la Deportation square ...
Zoo
The Grande Jeanne animal
park is located in Semnoz, on the road leading to the summit. On
10,500 m2, it accommodates 19 fallow deer, nine red deer and around
twenty Corsican mouflons in semi-freedom.
Lanes on the banks
and walks
The shores of the lake and the quays of the old town
offer many possibilities for walks: avenue d'Albigny, the quays of
the Marquisats, the quays bordering the canals of the old town, the
Sainte-Thérèse du Québec promenade ...
Environmental aspect
Following the implementation of Agenda 21, the city has embarked on
many actions in favor of the environment: sustainable management,
better water management, reduction of phytosanitary products,
recovery of green waste. ..
Museums
Castle Museum
Regional Observatory of Alpine Lakes
Island Palace
Manor of
Novel
Saint-François Memorial
Arteppes (contemporary art)
Activities
Every Friday evening: roller skating tour
organized by Roll'n'cy
Boat tour of the lake Annecy lake boat
company
More than 100 walks and hikes around Annecy
Mountain
and paragliding activities
Stage of the Biathlon World Cup in
Annecy-Le Grand-Bornand from December 14 to 17, 2017
Theaters & concert halls
Theater: Bonlieu national stage
Concert hall: Le Brise-Glace
Exchange Theater
MJC from Novel
MJC Children's House
MJC of the Romans
Auditorium of the
Regional Conservatory of Annecy and Pays de Savoie
Arcadium
Cultural events
Spanish Film Biennale in March.
International Animation Film Festival (FIFA) - with the parallel
MIFA, International Animation Film Market. It is the biggest
festival of its kind. It brings together specialists in world
animation for a week in early June (the start of which always takes
place one week after the close of the Cannes Film Festival). Festive
atmosphere with film projections on a giant screen at the Paquier.
Summer and academic festival of dance and classical music - Sites
"Imperial Palace", "museum-castle", "studio des Balmettes",
"Saint-Pierre cathedral". Several music academies, numerous
performances, piano night, organ recitals. High level dance lessons.
Italian Film Festival in October. - projections, debates.
Festive events
Venetian carnival towards the end of February. -
for 2 days with more than 300 masks walking around.
Annecy
Landscapes July to September. - works, creations and reactivations
of plant and plastic pieces across the city
Lake Festival - the
most beautiful pyrotechnic show in Europe, combining music,
spectacle and fireworks.
Return from the pastures - Traditional
festival and parade of herds in the old town, the second Saturday of
the month.
Apple and honey festival in November.
Sport
events
Grenette Bernard Arsac July cycling grand prix. - Race of
the regional Daupiné-Savoie championship, organized by the "Étoile
cycliste annécienne".
Tournament of the Small Princes July. -
Tennis tournament. "Cours des Marquisats" and "cours du boulevard du
Fier" sites
Crossing of Lake Annecy - Swimming crossing of Lake
Annecy, more than 900 swimmers in 2007. First race for licensees
from 14 years old and unlicensed from 16 years on 2,400 meters
between La plage from Chavoires to Veyrier du Lac and the gardens of
Europe. Second race, open to everyone over 1,000 meters from the
Imperial Beach. New in 2008: a 5,000-meter course reserved for
license holders and counting for the French Open Water Swimming Cup.
L'Ancilevienne September. - Tour of Lake Annecy by team of 2
competitors. In partnership with the Autisme Eveil association.
By plane
Annecy aerodrome has only one connection to Paris.
Annecy Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc Airport (IATA: NCY) +33 4 50 322
322
The nearest airports are Geneva, Lyon Saint-Exupéry and
Grenoble-Isère
By train
Annecy is served by several direct
TGVs (5 return trips per day on average in 2006) from Paris Gare de
Lyon, by Corail Lunéa from Paris Austerlitz (1 daily return trip in
2006, also direct) and by numerous TER connections from Lyon
Part-Dieu (10 direct daily round trips on average, and service
possibilities via Chambéry or Aix-Les-Bains), Chambéry,
Challes-les-Eaux and Aix-les-Bains le Revard (numerous round trips).
Annecy train station
The nearest airports are Geneva,
Lyon Saint-Exupéry and Grenoble-Isère
By train
Annecy is
served by several direct TGVs (5 return trips per day on average in
2006) from Paris Gare de Lyon, by Corail Lunéa from Paris Austerlitz
(1 daily return trip in 2006, also direct) and by numerous TER
connections from Lyon Part-Dieu (10 direct daily round trips on
average, and service possibilities via Chambéry or Aix-Les-Bains),
Chambéry, Challes-les-Eaux and Aix-les-Bains le Revard (numerous
round trips).
Annecy train station
By car
The A41
motorway connects Annecy to Chambéry and Lyon to the south, and
Geneva to the north, and Chamonix to the east. If you want to visit
the old town of Annecy, located in the heart of Annecy, follow the
signs indicating "old Annecy" (not to be confused with
Annecy-le-Vieux, a very pretty town located immediately on the
shores of the lake at the west of Annecy, but which has only a few
ancient monuments in the capital).
By coach
Daily
connections to Grenoble, Chambéry, Geneva and Lyon
Around the
city
By car
The city center is not very big and the old city
is reserved for pedestrians. Many car parks are available nearby
(Bonlieu, Hôtel de Ville, Manufacture, Mairie, Sainte Claire, Les
Romains).
Annecy being part of a pilot project for a city
center without cars, it is not recommended to enter the center with
your vehicle. Better quickly find a parking lot (several often
full). It is even advisable to park outside the city and take the
bus to the center.
The road that goes around the lake is very
busy in summer, tourist season obliges. Traffic jams are frequent,
but a magnificent bike ride allows you to get around the lake with
your family.
Walk
It is the best way to discover the old
town.
By bike
It is possible to take a bus with your
mountain bike to the summit of Semnoz. From there mountain bike
trails allow you to reach the city. It is also possible to rent
bicycles at the station and near the Marquisats parking lots when
you arrive from Sevrier and St-Jorioz The cycle path completed in
2005 allows you to reach Faverges along Lake Annecy for more than 20
km.
By bus
Annecy has several bus lines.
Sibra Company.
Main lines with Crolard buses