Not only is it one of the prettiest lakes around, but Lake Annecy is also “Europe’s cleanest lake” due to the very early introduction of environmental regulations in the 1960s. Famously painted in oil on canvas by Cézanne in 1896, the lake lies at the foothills of the French Alps and has a rich local history from both before and after the unification of the local region of Savoy with France in 1860. As well as the spectacular lakes and mountains scenery, the area is well known for its local cuisine including its cheeses, its fish such as Omble Chevalier and Féra, and its chocolate, especially the mountain liqueur-based Roseau.
With a relaxing lakeside setting on the eastern shores of Lake Annecy, Talloires and its medieval architecture became increasingly popular with well-known artists and writers and is now a lovely, laid-back village resort and an ideal base form which to explore the area.
Getting around the lake is also a relaxing experience with the local boat calling at the lakeside villages. Further afield we offer a collection of guided excursions including a weekly (numbers permitting) visit to Chamonix, which boasts the highest mountains in Western Europe accessible on foot- including the Aiguille du Midi (3,842 metres), giving an amazing view of Mont Blanc and the surrounding glaciated valleys.
