Issue No. 28

What not to miss in Annecy
This is a city that’s made for flaneurs
– that French word which has no
real equivalent in English but is often
translated as to wander. It means so
much more. It means to wander in a
leisurely way, to soak up the ambiance,
to see the sights – Annecy is a flaneur’s
dream town. And, it is the best way to
get to know this place, simply wander,
get lost in its flower-filled streets, take
a break at a café, enjoy a leisurely lunch,
walk some more, stop for aperitifs, walk
some more, relax over dinner and fall in
love with this pretty city.
Get up early to see the Pont d’Amour at
its best. There is a myth that says that
if two lovers kiss on the bridge, they
will stay together forever. That aside,
you have the most beautiful views over
the lake and into the city as the water
flows gently under the bridge. Watch the
sun come up and light up the water, it’s
rays spiking over the tree lined quays,
stroking the rooftops of the city and
through the stained glass windows of the
14th century church of Saint-Maurice,
the oldest in Annecy.
You can’t miss the 12th century Palais
de L’Île in the middle of the Thiou
Canal which has recently undergone
a restoration. It is now an interesting
museum you can visit to discover its
history as a fort, prison, school…
Climb a small mountain to reach the
medieval Château d’Annecy, now a
museum and exhibition venue. There are
marvellous views over the town from the
castle ramparts.