River Thiou, Annecy, France

After spending Sunday morning exploring Thonon Les Bains we set the SatNav for Annecy. It estimated a drive of about an hour and seeing as we were in no hurry we chose the option to avoid tolls. It was a good choice as the minor roads were pretty good and the drive was more interesting passing through the small settlements along the way. We arrived at Annecy around 2pm. It was another blue sky day and the crowds were out in force enjoying the warm late spring afternoon.

Old Town, Annecy, France

Nestled at the top end of Lake Annecy the town has  wide open park spaces that look onto the lake. Although busy it wasn’t too crowded and the only problem we encounted was with diversions due to roadworks in the centre of town.

Mouth of the River Thiou, Annecy, France

We’d intended to stay at a free Aires but it was full so we headed out of town to the Panoramic campsite which is in a beautiful spot overlooking the lake.

“Panaoramic” Campsite, Annecy, France

The SatNav gave us a treat as it took us through barely passable roads up the steep hills above the lake. We weren’t sure whether the signs meant campervans accepted or campervans forbidden and we quickly discovered it was the latter as a woman waved angrily at us from a window. On arival at the campsite we discovered that access was from the other side of the site but, of course, neither we or Sat Nav had know this – merd!

Cycleway, Annecy, France

Once parked we took the bikes and headed to the cycleway that runs for over 30km along the side of the lake. It’s a fantastic resource – about 3m wide, with a lane each way. It’s only open to cyclists and rollerblades and at many minor roads that it crosses the cyclist and rollers have priority. Being a Sunday and fine it was busy but manageable. We cycled around 12km to the centre of town, parked the bikes and started to explore. The old town centre is stunning and is centred around the River Thiou that runs through it and onto the lake.

River Thiou, Annecy, France

The classic verandahed terraces line the route of the river and the many lanes through the old town. Although it was Sunday all the shops and cafés were open. Of particular note were the home made ice cream shops that were doing a great trade.

Palais D’Île, Annecy, France

There were many retro and quirky shops and the town really had a sense of style about it. We headed home around 7pm and over dinner decided that tomorow we would explore much more of the cycleway.

Former Supermarket Trolley, Annecy, France

Jérémie tu viens d’une ville merveilleuse. Le panorama est magnifique et la vieille ville est très charmant. J’ai decouvert que Annecy est une de la plus ancienne ville de l’Alpes de Nord. Plus reccement elle a accueilli le Festival du Film d’Animation d’Annecy depuis 1960. Le population en 2008 étais environ 55,000.

Busker with his cat, Old Town, Annecy, France