If we call Annecy " the Venice of the Alps "This is certainly because the canals and the lake give this Savoyard city a cachet that no other mountain town has.
André Montaud, president of the tourist office of Lake Annecy, presents his lake and his city. This former engineer in marine motorization lubricants - cargo ships and other ferries - is a mountain lover. It is therefore quite natural that he came to settle on the shores of the lake.
" The first particularity of Lake Annecy is the peaks that surround it " according to André. " The lake is at 350 meters above sea level and there are passes at more than 2,000 meters around. "
A totally natural lake
Lake Annecy is a totally natural lake. Fed by underground springs for the most part, this lake of almost 27 square kilometers is 41 meters deep on average. Lake Annecy is a pure and transparent lake.
" The present lake is actually smaller than it was. We find ancient glacial locks that formed the lake, more than 10 km from the current lake "explains the president. Let's skip the ancient history. " Lake Annecy is located in a jewel box, the same lake in another place would lose its beauty. "
A family lake
Lake Annecy is surrounded by a path adapted to gentle travel. Cyclists, joggers and people with reduced mobility can all meet there. The entire 40 kilometer trail is marked out with parking spaces and is served by both free electric shuttles and boats that allow for shortcuts when the family walk becomes more difficult. The trail is car-free for most of the way, giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy the countless views of the lake and its surroundings.
There is no shortage of activities on the shores of the lake. Motorboating, sailing, kiteboarding, water skiing, lazing around, visiting museums, castles or the old town of Annecy. " The risk is to have too many things to do "according to André.
Those who appreciate good food or luxury comfort will not be left out. " In total, we have 11 stars on the lake. Some 4 or 5 star luxury hotels as well, but all in discreet charm. "continues the president.
The offer of places to camp, picnic or do family activities is surprising. Children will enjoy visiting the castle of Menthon, which was the model for Walt Disney's Belle au Bois Domant castle according to our guide.
The sportsmen as well as the thrill-seekers will be able to practice paragliding. Lake Annecy is classified as one of the two most beautiful paragliding spots in France. And runners can choose to do a marathon around the lake or an ultratrail that will take them to high altitude.
Finally, a special mention from the President of the Lake Annecy Tourist Office, an experience not to be missed: " Take a tandem paragliding flight from the Forclaz pass. It costs about 150 euros per person, but the experience is worth the expense, it is certainly the best option to discover the lake of Annecy ".
For the anecdote, the lake of Annecy is the most northern point in Europe where you can find Mediterranean vegetation. " At the Roc de chère, the cliffs reflect the heat back to the other side of the lake and create a unique ecosystem." .
Maintaining the balance of lake practices
The president of the tourist office is not a boater, but he likes being on the lake. He explains the positioning of the activities on the lake: " The lake is both a place for boating and tourism. We try to maintain a balance between the activities so that no one use takes precedence. For example, we voluntarily keep the number of water skiing or towed buoy providers low. "
Surprising number of marinas
The offer of services on the water is also growing. There are no less than seven marinas on the shores of this body of water. In addition to the five proposed mooring points, there are 12 locations that allow boaters to stop for an hour or a day.
From the confidential marina of Menthon-Saint-Bernard with 10 locations at 382 places of the port of Sevrier, it is a total of nearly 1 500 moorings available around the lake. Not to mention the dozens of temporary places for passage or mooring for the day and the possibility of staying at anchor during the day ( it is not allowed to sleep in a boat at anchor ).
Specific navigation rules
As is often the case in inland waters, a RPP (Special Police Regulations) is in place on Lake Annecy. Local specificity, its presence on board ( in paper or electronic format ) is a must. You must therefore plan to download, read, apply and print it before going on the lake (downloadable here ).
In the zones authorized for navigation, the speed is limited to 5 kilometers per hour. On the small lake, the boats can go up to 50 kilometers per hour, to allow the practice of water skiing, only during the day and outside the zone known as " edge strip ". The pilots must, of course, keep a close and permanent watch on the possible presence of divers or swimmers.
An orange rotating light is present on the northern tip of the lake. It indicates, according to its speed of rotation, the state of the weather. A 40 laps per minute, there is reason to be careful . A 90 turns per minute, a storm is coming and it is mandatory to leave the water .
Wreck diving
Diving at archaeological sites is prohibited on the lake. " France is in Lake Annecy "says André with amusement. Indeed, a paddle boat named Le France has been lying at a depth of 42 meters in Lake Annecy since 1971. It is one of the reference sites for underwater diving on the lake, along the cliffs of "Roque de chère".
Expensive rock thermals
" Still at the expensive rock " explains the president of the Tourist Office " the practice of windsurfing and sailing are perfect. Thermals are sent back by the cliff heated by the sun and generate interesting air currents ". Still on the subject of sailing, André explains: " Overall, the waters of the lake are calm and peaceful, we do not come to Annecy to sail competitively ."
Jet ski prohibited
Like a growing number of lakes, the practice of jet-skiing - and globally of all activities using water jet propulsion - is forbidden on the entire body of water.
A word from the guide
What is a must-see on the lake? The passionate president of the Office du Tourisme du Lac d'Annecy has a hard time finding the perfect place. To make an exception, he has two choices this time.
" Come to what is called the garden of the Annecians, in Semnoz. It has a view on the 3 lakes, Léman, Aix and Annecy. It is very easy to reach by car, at low altitude and it is really one of my favorite places "explains André who adds " In addition, a view of the entire Northern Alps to the east and the Auvergne to the west ".
Second proposal of the guide: " The perspective from the Paquier d'Annecy. It offers 10 different horizon shots, it's breathtaking ".
The last word goes to our guide:
" You will come for the lake, you will leave with the landscape "
