The Annecy “Blue Lake”
The Annecy “Blue Lake” combines sweetness and the great charm of living at the foot of high mountains of Savoy. It offers a large number of activities in the air, water or snow thus it is paradise for cyclists, windsurfers and scuba divers who come to admire this unique lake site. Beyond its exceptional landscape, it can boast of being one of the cleanest and purest lakes in the world.
Annecy Lake was formed 18,000 years ago during the melting of the large alpine glaciers. It is renowned for its unique setting that has inspired many artists. Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne (1839-1906) immortalized the lake in his famous oil painting, The Blue Lake in 1896 inspired by the light which bathes the place and is reflected in the turquoise water.
Well Preserved Environment
Annecy Lake has a rich and preserved environment. It has more than twenty species of fish, including Whitefish, Char, and crayfish, to the delight of recreational fishing fans. The lake also offers a wide range of water activities. Water reaches an average temperature of 22° to 25°C in summer, and the banks have been designed to secure and facilitate swimming.
Windsurfing and Scuba Diving
Several areas are reserved for surfers wishing to enjoy the mountain winds and air currents. Lately, scuba diving has become quite common in Annecy Lake. One can discover the lake archaeological sites (dating back to the Neolithic period) and wrecks like the old France, which mysteriously sank in 1971 and now lies 42 meters deep.
Paradise for Cyclists
Annecy Lake is also an ideal place for biking and skating. A bike path along the lakeshore spans more than 46km. Preserved from the car traffic, it is one of the most popular bikeways in France. The Annecy Lake Tour even became the circuit against the clock for the 18th stage of the Tour de France 2009.
Every year, the bike path becomes the place of “Ancilevienne”, cycling race in pairs with two front runners taking turns to perform around the lake as quickly as possible.
Lifestyle and Gastronomy
Annecy Lake is synonymous with friendliness and lifestyle. This is primarily a center of French gastronomy. Four Michelin-starred chefs have their place on the sides of the lake!
It is also famous around the world for the quality of its regional dishes like Tartiflette, and its handicrafts such as Reblochon or Crozets.
Annecy Lake Festival
Every year, the lake is used as a stage for an evening (every first Saturday of August), the largest fireworks show in Europe taking place there. During the Feast of Annecy Lake, over 200,000 spectators gather around the lake to watch 80 minutes of fireworks punctuated by music, lights and special effects in an unusual setting and time.
Wishing to buy a home in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region near the Annecy Lake? Sextant French Properties is here to guide you through the different steps of your acquisition.
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