Annecy is a town in the heart of the Alps on a beautiful lake known for its cleanliness. It has a nice historic building in the center and is a popular center for active tourism and sports. You can do water sports, walk in the mountains, and the city surroundings are especially popular with paragliders.
The city was founded on the site of a Gallic-Roman settlement around the 10th-11th centuries. In the Middle Ages it was the seat of the counts of nearby Geneva, and during the Reformation the Catholic bishopric moved here from this city. Annecy soon became a thriving center for the Counter-Reformation. The bishop here was the famous French theologian of St. Francis de Sales. During his time, Annecy lived its golden age as a center of religion, science and craftsmanship.
The old town of Annecy has been largely preserved intact through time. it is cut by a network of canals, which is why it is often called Alpine Venice. Picturesque bridges are built over the canals, and a walk along the streets allows you to travel in time.
The most famous building in Annecy is the Palace on the Isle, a small castle built in the 12th century that now houses a museum displaying collections on the history of the city. There is also the Basilica of the Visitation, where St. Francis de Sales, the sixteenth century cathedral of St. Peter and the Church of Notre Dame de Liesse.
A medieval castle dominates the buildings of Annecy. The stronghold houses a collection of paintings, sculptures and decorative arts related to the region, as well as a wonderful collection of Savoyard furniture. From the castle walls you can admire the beautiful panorama of the city and the lake.
The lake is Annecy's greatest attraction. Thanks to restrictive regulations introduced at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, it is now one of the cleanest alpine lakes. On its shores there are forests with numerous walking paths, the Gardens of Europe and the Paquier Promenade with the famous Lovers' Bridge. The surrounding mountains are popular hiking destinations, and many of the peaks offer launching points for paragliders.
