Annecy – A Slice of Heaven in the French Alps

We got our first taste of the French Alps in Annecy. We will never forget the stunning sunsets and delicious cheese.

As we were lost driving up the winding roads from Annecy to Montmin on Saturday night, we started to wonder if we were crazy. We had left a charming town full of restaurants to drive over twenty kilometers to eat dinner.

Then we found the restaurant, Chalet la Pricaz, and we knew that we were sane after all. The restaurant oozed of local charm, and the sunset view was extraordinary.

We plopped down at an outside table, ordered a bottle of overpriced local wine and watched the sky explode into a myriad of shades of oranges and pinks. A lilting melody of cowbells from the cows on the hill provided just the right background noise.

The charcuterie plate was comprised of local saucisson and jambon. The ultra-rich tartiflette was filled with a melange of reblochon cheese, potatoes, cream and lardons.

It started to cool down a bit, so we went inside to finish our meal with pain perdu, a delicious version of french toast smothered in fresh red berries. Our senses tingled with happy memories as we made the winding ride back to the hotel.

Our Arrival in Annecy

We had arrived in Annecy earlier in the day via two trains and a rental car. Our first train, the Eurostar channel train, left quite early in the morning. So early that we had to take a car service because the tube wasn’t yet operating.

The train ride from London to Paris went quickly since we ate tasty cheeses procured the day before at Neal’s Yard Dairy as we traversed the English Channel. To get to the second train, we had to take the Paris metro from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon.

The TGV then took us to Lyon, where we had to wait over an hour since the rental car office was closed for a two-hour lunch break. Once we got our zippy little Peugeot, we enjoyed the scenic yet expensive auto route to Annecy.

What Makes Annecy Special

Annecy is in the French Alps right next to a crystal clear lake. The picturesque city is characterized by canals and old buildings.

This lakeside French village is no secret. Travelers who visit find a variety of things to do in Annecy from water sports to shopping. As for us, our favorite Annecy activities involved walking around the lake and through the city’s food market.

Annecy Market

On the Sunday morning of our visit, throngs of shoppers crowded the town. Hundreds of vendors sold all kinds of local goods including cheeses, meats, bread, pastries, fruits and vegetables, i.e, perfect picnic fixings to take to the lake.

Final Annecy Thoughts

Annecy is a great place to eat great food, sip French wine and enjoy views of the lake. Or, in our case, enjoy the sunset from above.

Original Publication Date: October 5, 2012