A trip on Lake Annecy, France, by boat.

Now I am not a great fan of the Tour. Mainly because of its shameless commercialisation and the endless steam of doping scandals. However if you never seen the spectacle, which is the Tour de France, have a look . May be it is your thing. You certainly have to admire the riders and their endurance, crossing France over a 30 day period.

The Tour hits lake Annecy on Thuesday 23th July 2009 for a time trial around the lake.  Departure is from Annecy towards Sevrier, St Jorioz, Doussard, Talloires, Bluffy, Veyrier and finish in Annecy-le-Vieux. The approximately 40 km long route around the lake is certainly scenic but not too challenging. Talloires contains the only one difficulty of the lake with the climb of the Thoron until Bluffy and will be the ideal point to see the rider at their most pain!

My advice: if you are going to see the Tour de France on lake Annecy, reserve a place along the road the night before, stay there overnight and take plenty of food and drink. The road around lake Annecy will be completely blocked. Roads RD 909 A and RD 42 will be closed for circulation between 7 am and 9 pm. Dig in for 48 hours to enjoy a few minutes of riders passing by. That is what it takes to see  the Tour de France, not just on lake Annecy.

To get up the Tournette, you will have to be reasonably fit as there are no roads or cable cars to make the trip up any easier. The closest you get is the alpine village of Montmin, just behind the Col de la Forclaz. But don’t despair I have seen people as old as 90 years making the hike up this great view point.

I climb the Tournette at least once every two year,  if I can. Just because there are other great things to do around lake Annecy and I am not here all year around … and there is work too.

Yesterday was one of those days. I drove up the Col de la Forclaz (a previous mountain climb during past Tour de France), and headed to the car park just above Montmin. Early morning and early afternoon are the best times to go. Late afternoon would be even better but depending on your condition it might not leave you enough time to get up and down before dawn. I started my hike just after two to avoid the worst of the heat although I love the sun. The hike up Tournette is sun blessed, which translates in a lot of sweat and pain climbing it during a hot summer day.

The track up is signposted 4.5 hours from the car park but I regularly manage to get up there in 2.5 hours. Having said though, the terrain is not the easiest and the views over lake Annecy are great from almost anywhere along the hike. It is really best to take your time,` have a few mini breaks and enjoy the views.

There is also wildlife to be seen such as eagles and Capricorns. Yesterday I encountered a whole family of Capricorns at close range, less that a few feet away. Trapped on a rock they had to pose for photos with lake Annecy in the background. I could not believe my luck.

I reached the top along some very steep drops and some rocky terrain to find the views, over lake Annecy on one side and Mont Blanc and the Chamonix valley on the other side, short of sensational. The rewards for the physical demands the hike up Tournette put on you are exceptional and you truly have a birds eye view of the entire region. You really can’t stop long enough to take it all in.

I am never in any rush for the decent, but you can they up there for ever. Sadly I said goodbye and started my decent along the south ridge. Beware, I know the area well but I still managed to get lost which made the decent almost as long as the ascent.

A not of caution, the hike up and down Tournette can be as long as 7 – 8 hours not catering for extensive breaks. It really is a day trip, start early in the morning and take plenty of water and some food. The climb up is not dangerous but you should not be afraid of heights, walking boots and walking poles are essential. I only recommend this mountain tour if you have done some alpine hiking before. It is strenuous!! However the views are well, well worth it.

lake Annecy views

Tournette - views over lake Annecy

top of the Tournette lake Annecy

A walking tour around Annecy Old Town and a look at the French Alps. May 2009

You don’t have to look far to find find some nice walk along the lake. Hiking trails are available at variable length and difficulties. The seven hour hike up and down the Tournette is only recommended for the more adventurous but the stunning view over the lake is more than a just reward for the efforts.

If cycling is your thing lake Annecy offers the lot. If you are looking for a gentle ride there is a wonderful (flat) cycle path that goes most of the way from Annecy to Albertville along the lake and old railway lines.

There are plenty of woodlands,  mountain valleys and passes nearby if you feel more like a day tour. Some more some less exhaustive but beautiful in itself:

Le Semnoz – 18 km through beautiful protected woodlands to the top of a small ski station.

Col de la Forclaz – 9km up and down the pass alongside lake Annecy. Great views from the paragliding take-off nearby.

Col de Cherel – 16 km  mountain bike route, partially on gravel through a beautiful protected mountain valley.

Lake Loop via Col de l’Epine – 64 km including 3 climbs, follow the route of the 2007 Tour de France.

Col des Contrebandiers – mountain bike up to the greatest cliff view overlooking the lake and town.

There is obviously a lot more on offer than just cycling. Here my suggestions for lake Annecy activities during June:

• Tour the lake by boat and enjoy the exquisite scenery of the mountains as a lovely backdrop.
• Visit one of the many local farmers markets.
• Enjoy a coffee and crep in the old town along one of the many canals
• Water temperature should warm enough for even an early morning swim.
• Get one of the boats hire places along the lake to take you water skiing or wakeboarding.
• Relax lake side – most bars / restaurants are now open for business, enjoy a lakeside coffee or beer.
• Sunbath on one of the many beaches around the lake

June visit to lake Annecy can be the time to sunbath all day long. However as you can see there are plenty more reason to visit lake Annecy in June.  June is all about enjoying summer activities along the lake without the summer crowds.

views from my house Annecy

April on lake Annecy brings you early spring sun, fairly warm weather, a colourful pallet of spring flowers and blooming trees. What differentiates lake Annecy from other regions is the stunning backdrop of alpine lake and alpine mountains in addition to the light green of the blossoming forests along the hillsides nearby the lake.

The view from the west side of the lake overlooking the still snow covered Tournette (2300m) is just spectacular. The contrast of mountain peak snow reflecting the sun, the gentle green of meadows and forest below and the dark blue colour of the lake is something else. Something you find nowhere else.

April is great for an activity holiday as it is probably a little to cold for beach and sun bathing holiday (although I managed a swim in lake Annecy last April). Lake Annecy is also a great destination to combine summer and winter activities. Most ski resorts nearby such as La Clusaz, Megeve or even Meribel are still open for business most until the end of April subject to snow conditions.

I often visit lake Annecy during April to combine mountain biking, hiking and skiing at nearby Les Saises. There are lots of other things to do too.

Here my suggestions for lake Annecy activities during April:

• Cycling and mountain biking – temperature ideal for cycling
• Walking – both lake Annecy, Annecy town and the nearby mountains offer plenty of trails
• Sightseeing – perfect time to explore all the treasures around lake Annecy.
• Sailing – mild early spring winds ideal for sailing beginners
• Skiing and boarding – La Clusaz is just 30 min away from lake Annecy and offers 100km of slopes
• Shopping – Annecy and the villages around the lake have some great shops, plenty to kill a day or two.

April visit to lake Annecy is probably not the time to sun bath all day long but as you can see above there are plenty of things to do keeping you, your friends, family or kids happy.