Annecy by Eurostar

Annecy is the capital of the Department of Haute-Savoie in south-eastern France. This beautiful city is located at the northern tip of Lake Annecy not far from Geneva. This city has a population of just over fifty thousand people and has been strongly influenced by Geneva and Chambery. This unique city has been blessed with access to the waters of Lake Annecy and the Semnoz forest.

Annecy is one of the oldest cities found in the Northern Alps. It has been dated to have begun about 3100 years before the birth of Christ. In 1107, new fortifications were constructed that would eventually become a castle on the site of the current city. The town grew in importance when the Count of Geneva moved to take up residence in the city. The castle that would be royalty's home until 1394 was built to provide a place for the Count to live. Two horrible fires in 1412 and 1448 did a great amount of damage to the city. Amadeus VIII helped the city to rebuild after these fires. The city regained its importance and title of capital of the country. Many of the royal family of France had connections to this royal line.

At one time, the Protestant Reformation influenced the town and its religious centre. Many beautiful buildings still exist from this time period. In 1535, the city became the centre for the Counter-Reformation. The French Revolution affected the entire region. In 1815 the Bourbon Restoration returned the city to the Kingdom of Sardinia. After it was sold to Savoy this city became the capital of the new department of Haut-Savoie.

Travel to Annecy by Eurostar

Annecy is easily accessed with the Eurostar London to Annecy Train. The journey through Eurostar London Annecy Train is very convenient and provides a stress free environment. Eurostar train is a high-speed passenger train that allows the connection of people from London to Paris, Brussels, Lille and many other top destinations in Europe. While this type of travel might be a little more expensive than other types of flights or ferries, it has an excellent record of punctuality with its 186 mph high-speed travel. You can visit many locations in Europe with only one ticket because of the connections that Eurostar has with many other train companies in the UK.

To begin your journey you simply take the Eurostar London Paris Train from London's St. Pancras International Station to Paris Gare Lyon Train Station and then travel to Annecy by Eurostar partner TGV Duplex train service. Travel time is about seven hours.

Eurostar Prices for Eurostar London Annecy Train

Trips to other cities in France can be taken with Eurostar tickets for very reasonable prices. The trip from London to Paris then to Annecy will start at about £272.

Annecy Attractions

Visitors to Annecy can enjoy a great many attractions and is very rich in historical monuments.

The Visitation Basilica is located on the edge of the Cret du Maure forest and was founded by Francois de Sales and Jeanne de Chantai in 1960. The building represents this unique architecture of the church.

The Conservatory of Art and History is located in a seminary that was built in the seventeenth century by the Bishop of Geneva. This site is the location to several paintings from the seventeenth and eighteenth century. Many of the paintings are comprised of work by Mont-Blanc.

The Notre Dame-de-Liesse Church was built in 1851 and it replaced an earlier structure built in the thirteenth century. The Sardinian administration had this neo-classical style building commissioned. Instructions were given to preserve the existing clock tower and well as part of the gothic walls.

Saint Peter's Cathedral was constructed during the sixteenth century and this building served as the first chapel for the Franciscan convent. During the Revolution this building was converted to a temple dedicated to the Goddess Reason until 1822 when it once again became a Cathedral.

The de Sales House was built by the Sales family during the seventeenth century. It was used as the home of the prince of the House of Savoie and eventually became the primary Bank of Savoie. It was at this location that bank notes were printed in direct competition to the Bank of France. Many of the art work that makes up the facade on the building represents the four different seasons.

The Perriere Gate is a thick wall that connects the city's castle with this gate and protected the city from the people who entered into the city.

Saint-Maurice Church is the former church of the Dominicans as was created during the fifteenth century and it represents the flamboyant gothic style of the time. Several chapels make up this church and were built by different noble families or artesian corporations from 1478 and on. The building also holds the painting, "trompe l'noeil."

Nightlife in Annecy

Annecy has many places for people to enjoy the nightlife including bars, cafes, pubs, street dances, fairs, and carnivals. You can enjoy a drink after a long day of enjoying the sights at Le Captain Pub or the Le Vieux Necy if you want a little more boisterous crowd. If piano bars are your thing, Le Duo is a great place to get a drink and enjoy the music.

A popular bar with the gay crowd includes the Happy People Disco where people can enjoy drinking and dancing the night away. If you seek an elegant place to relax after a trying day of sight-seeing, the Casino de l'Imperial is a great place to relax and enjoy a little gambling. It is part of the Imperial Palace hotel.

Hotels in Annecy

Several different types of hotels are available for those who are enjoying the sight and sounds of Annecy. No matter what your budget might be, there is a hotel to meet your budget. Some of the hotels are located in central locations and have beautiful views of the different types of architecture the city is famous for.

Famous Hotels of Annecy

• Au Faisan Dore
• Hotel La Demeure de Chavoire
• Hotel du Nord
• Imperial Palace Hotel

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