Annecy: Audio Guided Walking Tour (1h – 20 audio comments)

The huge expanse of grass that you see on the other side of the canal is none other than the Pâquier. Its real name is Champ de Mars, but the people of Annecy still call it Le Paquier, which means Pasture and recalls that the space was once located outside the city.

We arrive at the Pont des Amours. Another symbolic place in the city. The bridge offers a breathtaking view of the lake and Swan Island. Its romantic name actually has a double meaning.

It is time for you to reconnect with the surrounding beauty and enjoy your stroll along the gardens of Europe. This English park has changed a lot. In medieval times, it housed what were called “health huts” installed on small islands lost in the middle of swamps.

This strange sundial, with its original nickname, Brother Arsène's Gnomon, is a 7-pointed star capable of measuring time. It's a bit technical so I advise you to read the plate for more details.

With the air of a Swiss postcard, Lake Annecy is the real star of the city! Second largest glacial lake in France, behind Le Bourget, this lake, protected from the discharge of wastewater and monitored closely, has earned the nickname of the purest lake in Europe!

On the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, as its name suggests, you have on one side, the town hall and opposite, the Saint-Maurice church. That's a lot of churches for such a small town! Annecy is nicknamed “the city of the 5 bell towers”!

You are now arriving at the square of Saint-François-de-Sales, in front of the church of the same name. It is also called the parish of the Italians, for the simple and good reason that it is frequented mainly by the Italian community of Annecy.

You see it and you were waiting for it, so let's attack right away through the famous Palais de l'Île, more commonly known as the old prison. It is the most photographed monument in the city.

You have noticed that the streets of Annecy have remained very typical of the Middle Ages. Fortified gates are a good example.

Here you are in front of Annecy Castle, overlooking the old town on the mountainside. Strategically placed to monitor the entire plain, it made it possible to observe movements on the road between Geneva and Italy.

There is no shortage of opportunities to take beautiful photos in Annecy! Here, there are no flowery canals or a sparkling lake, but the Esplanade Saint Maurice still offers you a beautiful panorama over the Savoyard roofs with the beautiful mountains in the background.

Here you are on the first stone bridge in Annecy, built in the 13th century. It allowed the Alpine road that linked Geneva to Italy to cross the Thiou.

From the Quai de l'Évêché, you can observe a magnificent line of ancient houses at the water's edge. A decor that leaves you dreaming

Here you are in one of the main streets of the city. It was the first street that allowed you to cross Annecy entirely by cart!

Here we are in a much more modern square, Place Sainte-Claire. A little bit like an 80s ski resort, but that doesn't matter.

Here you are in front of one of the Thiou canals. This river may be one of the smallest in France, barely reaching 4 kilometers, but it had a considerable impact on the creation and expansion of Annecy!

Some memories are noteworthy, others deserve a Golden Baluster. On Easter day in 1728, Jean Jacques Rousseau met Madame de Warens.

You are now arriving in front of the church of Notre-Dame de Liesse. It was founded in the 14th century by the counts of Geneva who wanted a place worthy of the name to accommodate their future burials.

When Rue Royale becomes Rue du Pâquier, you can observe a very old well border. This well dates from the 15th century in fact.