I mentioned in my post about the Venetian carnival in Annecy earlier this month (CLICK HERE to read if you missed it) that I would post about the rest of my visit.
The train ride from Paris Gare de Lyon station to Annecy is about 3.45 hours. My hotel, the Mercure Annecy Centre, was just a three-minute walk from the train station and not more than ten- minutes from all the local sites. The quiet and immaculate room had a comfortable queen- mattress, a full bathroom with a bathtub, and thoughtfully placed electrical outlets next to the bed. The front desk staff couldn’t have been nicer, and they told me about the carnival.
Annecy is in southeastern France in the Haute-Savoie region and just 22 miles from Geneva, Switzerland. The two big draws of Annecy are the pristine lake surrounded by the snow-capped French Alps, and the old town, which has canals running through it.
The weather was delightful, clear and sunny, and not too cold, with the temperature reaching about 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the two days I was there. I strolled along the lake where the sun glistened over the water, casting a gorgeous green hue over the lake. The water was so clear, I was tempted to take a swim if I had a wet suit or if it was about ten degrees warmer.
After furiously dashing around most of Sunday trying to get as many shots as I could of the participants gorgeously costumed for the carnival, I spent most of my time meandering through the old town. It was fun discovering ancient buildings with plaster and stone facades and painted shades of pale pink, mustard yellow, apricot, and laurel green. Every street or two, there was a bridge where water gently streamed through a canal with the vast mountain range peaking in the background.
Even though it was still winter, I indulged in a scoop of yummy, coffee ice cream from Le Glacier des Alpes, rated the best ice cream in town.
Across the street from the hotel was an excellent restaurant, Chez Ingalls, which had two, large dining rooms with tables generously spaced apart. It was cold that evening, the temperature dropping down into the 30s, so I savored a warm bowl of mushroom soup with chestnuts, followed by a succulent piece of salmon topped with a lemon, cucumber, and tomato confit.
Before leaving on the 9:30 am train on Tuesday, I took a brisk walk one last time on the lake to take in its beauty and deep breathing in the mountain air.
Mercure Annecy Centre
26 Rue Vaugelas, 74000
https://all.accor.com/hotel/2812/index.en.shtml
Le Glacier des Alpes
16 Rue Perrière, 74000
https://glacierdesalpes.fr/
Chez Ingalls
26 Rue Vaugelas, 74000
https://www.chezingalls.fr/
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- Venice Carnival in Annecy, France
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