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Taking in the History , Natural Surroundings & Wonderful Gastronomy in
Lac Annecy Tourisme & Congres
Annecy - France
Article & Photography by Michael Morcos
Annecy is located in the Haute- Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France . Blessed with natural beauty , history and activities , this town has plenty to offer the World Traveler .
As with most French towns , Annecy has plenty of historical locales , boutiques and a wonderful old town with lovely canals that meander throughout the area .
This is one of those picture perfect towns , and on a sunny day visitors can delight in the wonderful opportunities for pictures and videos . The old town is a major draw with plenty of restaurants , bars and ice cream shops . A tourist paradise , treasures can be found in boutiques of all kinds . Local arts and crafts , area delicacies , wine and so many other things , ideal for gifts and for your home . On a lucky day , the local farmers will be out selling their fresh fruit and vegetables at the weekly markets !
The old-town is a good place to become lost , but the town is small enough to find your bearings ! Aside from walking through the
narrow streets of the old town , history buffs can enjoy a couple of castles .
The Palais de l ' Isle is an old castle that has alternately been used as a courthouse and a mint , and was classified as a historical monument in 1900 . Today the castle houses a local history museum .
There is also Château d ' Annecy ( Annecy Castle ), which was the home of the Counts of Geneva and the Dukes of Genevois- Nemours , and , in 1953 , the town restored it with the help of Monuments historiques and installed another museum within it .
Annecy is also known as the " Venice of the Alps ", based on the two canals and the Thiou river flowing through the old city . The waterways were initially used to protect the city and to empower its artisans to spread their wares . The city experienced an industrial development in the 19th century and some of its industrial legacy remains today with the head offices of Salomon , Entremont and Dassault Aviation located in the town .
Other activities await visitors , as the town is located on the pristine waters of Lac Annecy , and has the Alps right behind the lake . As such , it is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts who can enjoy water sports , boating and swimming , as well as mountain-based fun like skiing and hiking . There are also cruises along the waterways to see and learn about the magnificent castles and homes of the rich and famous who vacation in this wonderful town .
Annecy is also home to the Festival International du Film d ' Animation d ' Annecy ( AIAFF ). Taking place at the beginning of June , the festival became an annual event in 1998 and has been a popular draw ever since .
Again , as in many French vacation locations , the food here is heavenly . So many choices await the hungry visitor , from exotic international restaurants to an overwhelming choice of typical French mountain cuisines that include the many local cheeses and the delicious local sausages .
www . en . lac-annecy . com
American World Traveler / Fall 2016