“ My god it ’ s beautiful ”
Napoleon III on seeing Lake Annecy
Take a detour to Talloires
I took a taxi boat across the lake and was dropped off at the pontoon of Auberge du Père Bise , a legendary hotel / 2 Michelin Star restaurant in Talloires , a tranquil medieval village . It was a bit of a Grace Kelly moment in that I felt like a princess and a celebrity ! The wind wooshed through my hair as the sun was setting and we sped across the still waters .
I drank in the sights – a castle on the edge of the lake , birds flying overhead , the mountains turning dark as the light fell . It ’ s expensive but one of those experiences that are rarely bettered .
1903 , the bistro of
Auberge du Père Bise where star chef Jean Sulpice came out to say hello and ask if I enjoyed my meal .
“ Enjoy it Monsieur le Chef ” I said , “ that is one of the best meals of my life ” and I meant it .
If you ’ re staying in Annecy it ’ s easy to get around on foot or by bus . You can also hide a bike and take a guided tour - book at the tourist office . And there ’ s one of those very French little train tours .
Outside of Annecy a car is pretty much essential .
Lake life
“ Lake Annecy . It ’ s a revelation , it ’ s a miracle . It is so enchanting that you have tears in your eyes ... It stretches out under the caressing sun , bordered by majestic