Capital of the Haute-Savoie region, Annecy is both a mountain town and a seaside resort. It is a jewel of a small town located on the north side of a lake with pure waters where the Alps are reflected. A chic and delightful destination. Stamped as a City of Art and History, Annecy offers a picturesque medieval center with its canals and bridges. As a jewel, the Palais de l'Île, a former fortified house from the 12th century, appears like a prow on an islet of the Thiou, a short river that waters the city in two charming arms: the Port and the Vassé canal. Hence the nickname of Venice of the Alps given to Annecy. The banks of the Thiou are lined with adorable boutiques that make the old pedestrian center a distinguished shopping spot. Annecy, which lies at the foot of the Bornes and Bauges mountains, is both lake and alpine and displays the same pluralism in its culture. Known to film buffs for hosting the International Animation Film Festival, it also hosts the spectacular Lake Festival. On the heights of the city, the historic symbol of Annecy, the castle built between the 12th and 16th centuries was inhabited by the Counts of Geneva, then those of Savoie. Now a communal building, it houses a museum and the Regional Observatory of the Alpine Lakes. In the country of Marc Veyrat, the starred chef with the black hat, good restaurants and pleasant terraces also attract visitors. So, would you rather have a fish fry or a Savoyard fondue? Pedal boat on the water or diving in the lake. Visit a museum or discover a nature reserve? The city of Annecy never ceases to seduce you.