The Divine Abbaye de Talloires
It will take you about an hour to drive all the way round Lake Annecy Lake, 5 hours by bike or, you can take a water taxi (water-taxi.fr) which is great fun and gives you fabulous views.
There are 12 beaches to enjoy and in summer they’re a perfect place to relax. I headed for the town of Talloires which is about 13km from Annecy, to spend a night in a gorgeous former 17th century monastery that’s been converted to a luxurious hotel. You may think that a monk’s cell might be a bit small as a bedroom but the monks that lived here had it good, the rooms are huge. The whole place is very beautiful and there are frequent exhibitions of artworks at the hotel.
There’s a private pontoon and an early morning dip is irresistible in what Winston Churchill described as “the most beautiful
bay in the world”. In summer the temperature of the water in Lake Annecy is around 22°C.
The 4*Hotel Abbaye de Talloires is where the first ever colour photo was taken in 1902. French physicist Gabriel Lippman captured the lovely cloisters for posterity. They’re still there and make for a sensational spot for an aperitif, Mark Twain the famous American writer who stayed here, thought so too. The restaurant is fantastic and Charly, the famous sommelier chooses wines that make you feel happy.
Talloires is a tranquil little town and very pretty with plenty of water activities but I recommend you hire an electric boat and discover a secret grotto and the blue lake painted by the artist Cezanne who stayed at the Abbaye in 1896.
Col de la Forclaz
From Talloires it’s a short drive to what is possibly one of the most stunning view points and best selfie spots in France – the Col de la Forclaz. From the lofty peak of this picturesque place, paragliders take off, whizzing over your head as you swoon at the colours of the Lake below. Cow bells tinkle like a fairy orchestra in the mountains and the scent of lush meadow flowers under a deep blue sky lull you into tranquillity.