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Simply Savoie

Guided walking – snowshoeing – via ferrata in the French Alps with Mark Tennent

Annecy

Favourite Places ? Around Lac d’Annecy

The Lake Annecy area has to be one of my favourite places. Lac d’Annecy itself is the third largest lake in France with a surface area of 27.59 sq.km. and has very clean water.

Annecy Town

Annecy itself is a bustling town and the administrative capital of the department, Haute Savoie. It is 50km from Chambery and only 40km south of Geneva. Annecy is sometimes known as the ?Venice of the North?. The medieval part of Annecy that adjoins the lake is traversed by the river Thiou. The narrow old streets with ?hidden? passages is a labyrinth of shops, bars and restaurants.

Talloires is very pretty and if you want to spoil yourself a visit to Pere Bise’s Michelin starred restaurant right on the lake-side.

Geography

Over-looking Lac d’Annecy to the east is the edge of the Aravis mountain range. Along the eastern shores there are the mountains of Mont Veyrier, Les Dents de Lanfon and La Tournette (2351m) overlook the lake. The principal road on this side goes through Veyrier-du-Lac, Menthon-St-Bernard and Talloires.

The West side of Lac d’Annecy is bounded by the ?Parc naturel r?gional du Massif des Bauges?. The principal road along this side of the lake passes through Sevrier, St Jorioz and Duingt. At the end of the lake, known as the ?Bout du Lac? there’s a nature reserve with a very pretty, sign-posted, short walk.

The Bauges mountains, a limestone massif, is recognised as a GeoPark by UNESCO. The culminating point is Arcalod ( 2217m). Close to Annecy is the whale-back mountain of Le Semnoz, mainly tree covered, but the ridge is a great view point. In winter there are a couple of ski lifts and tracks for cross-country skiing. In summer herds of cows and goats roam amongst the alpine pastures.

Activities

Walking & Climbing

One of the most challenging walks close to the Lake is La Tournette ( 2351m). The starting point is usually accessed via the Col de la Forclaz and then by a rough track to a farm; the Chalet de l’Aulp. The farm also has a cafe and you can buy their cheeses too. From here a steep path sets off from here passing through an initial exposed traverse before reaching the Refuge de la Tournette. More easy scrambling and grassier slopes lead to the final section to the summit ?block? which is protected by chains and a short ladder takes you to the summit. A superb panorama awaits you.

There’s plenty of easier walking too. Short rambles to longer walks either in the Aravis or in the Bauges. You can find out more about my walks based around Lac d’Annecy and the Bauges on my website.

Swimming

If you enjoy swimming Lac d’Annecy is a wonderful spot. The water temperature can reach the low 20’s in summer. There are a number of ?beaches? where swimming is under the watchful eye of lifeguards within marked areas. You can of course swim elsewhere but at your own risk.

Cycling

On the west side of the lake the old railway line has been converted into a great cycle path that runs the full length of the lake. The cycle path is also shared by people on roller skates and even roller skis and the odd pedestrian too; so you need to be attentive. The east side of the lake is less easy for cyclists although there’s on-going works to increase the amount of cycle path. I tend to start on the East side from Doussard in the morning before the traffic increases. Near St Bernard it’s possible to take small backroads between the main road and the lake to avoid cycling with the traffic.

Paragliding

You are likely to see lots of paragliders flying here is the summer months as it’s one of the premier flying sites in France. If you would like to see what it is like you can take a flight with a professionally qualified instructor. There are many paragliding schools particularly near Echarvines above Talloires.

Golf

There are two golf courses in the area, one at Talloires and the other at Giez; on the way to Ugine.

Cycling around Lac d’Annecy

After a morning completing my French tax return I needed a break!

I set off from my home towards Annecy, passing by the edge of Albertville, Ugine and then picking up the cycle track that uses the old railway line.? Soon I was at Doussard and watching some paragliders coming into land.

Rather than continue on the cycle path I followed the road through some small villages before meeting the track again.? There were people sunbathing on the grass beaches close to the lake; it was in the 30’s but I didn’t see poeple in the water.

I reached Annecy which was thronged already and threaded my way carefully through the centre.? Unfortunately after leaving Annecy there’s no cycle path but I cut off on to some little side roads between the lake and the main road to find some peace and quiet.

At Echarvines there were countless paragliders in the sky under the Dents de Lanfons.? A new section of cycle path is in the process of construction on the narrow, steep road that drops down to Talloires.

The lake shimmered in the sun but now back with the traffic I needed to keep my concentration on vehicles coming up fast from behind.

Finally, I was back at Doussard and picked up the outward route for the return home.? 120 km and beautiful weather and scenery.

A Walk Above Lake Annecy

Lake Annecy, with its turquoise waters, was the backdrop for our walk today. Annecy is reached in under 40 minutes from Geneva which makes it an ideal location for a short break.

Today we were heading for the mountains that dominate the Eastern side of lake Annecy. The principle tops are those of La Tournette (2351m) and Les Dents de Lanfon. Across the lake the limestone mountains of the Bauges spread out before us. The Bauges are not high, the highest summit being the Pointe d’Arcalod (2217m), but the tops are frequently guarded by steep and rocky slopes.

We reached the starting point for our walk after driving up past the Col de la Forclaz. On a sunny day a steady stream of paragliders take to the air from just above the col here. Leaving the car we walked up through the alpine pastures to reach the Chalet de l’Aulp. Today it was shut up as the cows have not yet come up to their summer pastures. Other walkers were heading for La Tournette which was still sporting large snow-fields on its steep flanks guarded by high limestone cliffs.

We followed a path, initially through woods and crossed a couple of gullies. Birds were singing in the trees and a squirrel hopped across the path in front of us. Soon we came out of the shade of the trees into green, alpine meadows and the Col des Nantets a good spot for a drink and a snack. From here we could see down towards the town of Thones in the Aravis the gateway to the villages of Le Grand Bornand and St Jean de Sixt.

Passing the chalet des Nantets the path zig-zagged up through sparse pines to reach rockier terrain. A short rocky passage, protected by a hand-line, brought us into a grassy hanging valley. Crocuses added a splash of colour against the still hay-coloured grass. A few old patches of snow lay in the hollows. We passed by the Chalets de l’Aulp Rian, deserted for now but soon to be a farmer’s home for the long days of summer whilst watching over herds of cows.

A signpost indicated the Col des Fretes below the imposing Dents des Lanfons however we continued climbing a shallow re-entrant. At the top limestone outcrops, stunted pine trees and a 360 degree view; time for our picnic. The backdrop of Lac d’Annecy, the mountains of the Aravis and beyond the snow and ice-covered mass of Mont Blanc and its satellite peaks.