At the edge of the turquoise Lac d'Annecy, bounded to the east by the turreted peaks of La Tournette and to the west by the long wooded ridge of Le Semnoz, Annecy is one of the most beautiful and popular resort towns of the French Alps, though the tourist traffic can get a bit wearing in high season. Historically, it enjoyed a brief flurry of importance in the early sixteenth century, when Geneva opted for the Reformation and the fugitive Catholic bishop decamped here with a train of ecclesiastics and a prosperous, cultivated elite.
Annecy is a pleasant residence, and is home to a number of important places and monuments.

With many remarkable sites, Upper Savoy is endowed with an exceptional natural patrimony. Highest point of Europe, the majestic Mont-Blanc massif is a paradise of those passionate about climbing, ski and astonishing landscapes. The vast ski domains, the famous winter sports resorts, the Nature reserves, but also the renowned thermal spas, the lakes convenient to nautical activities, the magnificent city of Annecy, nicknamed Venice of the Alps or the delicious Savoyard specialties, are amongst the numerous interests, which make Upper Savoy a privileged destination.

Cultural visits in Annecy

The Palais de l'Isle
It was built in 1132 right in the center of the Thiou, the famous canal in Annecy. It is definitely the most distinctive monument of the city, and is impossible to miss.