Annecy

Related Topics:
Annecy

Annecy is a town in the Haute-Savoie region of eastern France, on the shores of Lake Annecy, 22 miles south of Geneva.

Administration

Annecy is a commune of the Haute-Savoie département, in the Rhône-Alpes région. It is the préfecture (capital) of the département.

The agglomeration of Annecy is organised into an agglomeration community which regroups 13 communes.

Annecy is the capital of three cantons:

The Canton of Annecy-Centre is made up of a part of Annecy and has 15,344 inhabitants;
The Canton of Annecy-Nord-Est is also made up of part of Annecy and counts 19,540 inhabitants;
The largest canton is that of the Annecy-Nord-Est, which is formed from a part of Annecy and the communities of La Balme-de-Sillingy, Choisy, Épagny, Lovagny, Mésigny, Metz-Tessy, Meythet, Nonglard, Poisy, Sallenôves et Sillingy. Its population numbers 44,164.

History

Annecy is located between Geneva and Chambéry. Thus its history was strongly influenced by these two towns between the 10th and the 19th century. Starting as the capital of the county of Geneva, after the demise of the counts of Geneva, it became integrated into the House of Savoie in 1401. In 1444 it was set up by the Princes of Savoie as the capital of a region covering the possessions of Genevois, Faucigny and Beaufortain. With the triumph of Calvinism in 1535 it became the capital of the Counter-Reformists; the bishop's see of Geneva was transferred hither, but suppressed in 1801, though revived in 1822. During the French Revolution it became attached to the département of Mont Blanc, of which capital was Chambéry, and after the Restauration it was returned to the house of Savoie. In 1860 it became the capital of Haute-Savoie.

Francis of Sales was born at the castle of Sales, close by, in 1567. He was bishop of Annecy from 1602 to 1622.

Geography

Population (1999): 52,100 (in 1999), agglomération of Annecy: 135,000
Altitude: 448 m

Annecy is situated at the northern end of the lake of Annecy, and is 25 miles NE of Aix les Bains. It occupies a strategic location on routes between Italy, Switzerland and France.

Culture

Annecy hosts two annual film festivals:

The Animated Film Festival, or "Festival du film d'animation" in June
The Annecy Italian Film Festival or "Festival du film italien d'Annecy" in October

It also hosts a biennial Spanish Film Festival at the end of March.

Cran-Gevrier near Annecy is home to the 27th Battalion of the Chasseurs Alpins.

Sites of interest

Annecy is a pleasant residence, and is home to a number of important places and monuments:

The Palais de l'Isle also called the "old prison", was built in the 12th century. It is the symbol of the town and is among the most photographed monuments in all of France.
The Château d'Annecy (Annecy Castle) was the home of the Counts of Geneva and the Dukes of Genevois-Nemours, an offshoot of the House of Savoie (12th-16th century). Today it is home of the Art and History Conservatory of Annecy and the Regional Office of the Alpine Lakes. ^*,^*]
The Cathedral of Saint-Pierre built in the 16th century was the cathedral of François de Sales, and is home to a number of artworks and baroque pieces from the 19th century. ^*,^*]
The rue Sainte-Claire and its romantic arches date from the 17th and 18th centuries.
The rue royale, with its numerous shops, gardens and the fountain of Saint Jean, is the heart of the commercial and political activities of the town.
The money workshop of the Genevois now houses the Musée de l'Histoire d'Annecy.
The church of Saint-Maurice has a flamboyant gothic style of the 15th century, and houses some very interesting paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries. Saint-Maurice:^*]
The European Gardens made just after the annexing of Savoie in 1863 where one can admire the very rich and diverse vegetation.
The Pont des Amours (Lovers' Bridge), a beautiful example of the iron architecture typical of the 20th century.
The Impérial Palace inaugurated in 1913, with its public gardens, its beach and its casino.
The Basilique de la Visitation built in the 20th century, home of the tomb of François de Sales and Jeanne de Chantal, and offers a magnificent view of the town and the agglomeration. ^*]

There is also a public library, with 20,000 volumes, and various scientific collections.

Education

Twin towns

Annecy is twinned with:

References

External links

Communes of Haute-Savoie | Towns and cities twinned with Cheltenham, England | Préfectures

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Annecy