Sometimes we forget about how much nature is in France. From picturesque countryside to snowcapped mountains to brightly-colored coastal water, there is much more to this country than Paris. However, my favorite part about France’s nature is how well it intertwines with urban spaces large and small. The way that Annecy accomplishes its nature-city combo makes it look like something from an animated Disney film.
Annecy (pronounced “Ahn-SEE”) is close to the Alps. This mountain range sees plenty of skiers enjoying the snow, but is covered in vibrant greenery during warmer weather. The Alps also feature handfuls of lakes with light blue water. This all provides the backdrop for Annecy. The town’s lake (Lac d’Annecy) with mountains in the distance is almost too perfect to be real. It might even rival Prague as the most peaceful place on the planet.
Jardins de l'Europe is a park right by the water with perfect views of this otherworldly scenery. There are trees, boats, ducks, and the Pont des Amours bridge that reaches over the little Canal du Vassé waterway. I think Cinderella and the Prince spent some time here before the clock struck midnight.
The Pont des Amours bridge is still not even the best thing you’ll find by the water in Annecy. Close to where the Le Thiou river feeds into the lake is Le Palais de I'Île, perhaps the most photographed building in the whole town. It sits on a sort of island in the river. The townspeople first used it as a prison in the 1300s and then a coin-minting shop. Then the Savoys took over the region, a family which at one point also ruled over present-day Nice and northwestern Italy. They turned Le Palais de I'Île into a home. But during the French Revolution and World War II, it was again used as a prison. Oh, if these walls could talk. While Le Palais de I'Île looks gorgeous from all angles, and especially from Pont Perrière, definitely go inside to walk through this incredible timeline for yourself (and see medieval toilets).
Promenade Jacquet is a walkway which follows along the lake’s edge. The water here itself is almost always clear enough to see to the bottom. We even saw a few people swimming. Pont des Amours is one bookend for the walkway and the other is Plage de l'Impérial, a little beach and recreation area. Promenade Jacquet shows a slice of local life. People walking their dogs and going about their days as if living in a fairy tale setting is no big deal.
For views of Annecy from a different vantage point, head inland to the Musée-Château d'Annecy. This is another building straight out of a Disney movie. Exhibits inside discuss the impacts of Lac d’Annecy on local life, such as tourism and fishing. Be sure to look out of any and all windows to get those views I just mentioned. Go west behind the chateau to see more adorable winding streets, hidden parks, and Porte du Sepulcre. I know nothing about this landmark but I love it.
Speaking of animation, the French were pioneers of this form of entertainment. French artists set drawings into motion even before Walt Disney did. Annecy is home to the Musée du cinéma d'animation. While it may seem small, this museum shows off early animation equipment and features interactive exhibits. Annecy is also home to the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, which has been around since 1960.
Overall, what makes me want to visit Annecy again is all in the details. The sidewalks and bridges along Le Thiou have lovely cultivated flower boxes and each building’s pastel color seems to compliment the next. Follow the river further into town for more and more of these subtleties that all combine to create a fantasyland straight from an impressionist’s paint palette. It's just impossible to take pictures of every little painting-worthy corner. Even better, Annecy seems slightly undiscovered. Most conversations I overheard were in French and there were hardly any touristy souvenir stands selling mass-produced trinkets. While modern buildings were just walking distance away, the heart of Annecy was a step back in time. I hope it stays this way, so don’t tell anyone about this perfect little dreamscape.
PS: How many times am I going to use the word “perfect” to describe Annecy? The limit does not exist (shoutout “Mean Girls”).
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