Dainty Annecy

Rester, c’est exister, mais voyager, c’est vivre – Gustave Nadaud

(To be is to exist, but to travel is to live – Gustave Nadaud)

Annecy is a much sought-after destination by vacationers. Apart from being picturesque, it is peaceful and has ample green cover in terms of esplanades, gardens, and forests attracting the young and old alike. It is thus a family-favoured destination! Today, let’s continue our exploration of Annecy which is green & dainty.

Jardins de l’Europe

Juxtaposed to the crystal-clear lagoon-like Lac Annecy is the municipal park, Jardins de l’Europe (Gardens of Europe). It’s from here you will get the magnificent view of the La Tournette on the southeast shore of the lake. La Tournette is the highest of the mountains surrounding Lac Annecy and has an altitude of 2351m above sea level.

From a marshy land in medieval ages that housed ‘health huts’ for patients suffering from contagious diseases during epidemics, this place has come a long way. A landscaped garden in English style was commissioned after the completion of the “Hotel de Ville” (Town Hall). The garden was designed with 650 trees and 1000 bushes in 1863. Cut to the present, the huge, magnificent, deciduous, centennial trees grace the garden that offers the best picnic spot with a panoramic view.

Pont des Amours

Pont des Amours when translated to English means the ‘lovers bridge’. Am I witnessing a twinkle in your eyes with a smile line on your face as you read it? What if I tell you that its original name was a plain- Jane “Passerelle du Jardin public” that is “Footbridge of the Municipal garden”

There is no dearth of bridges in Annecy. However, Pont des Amours is unique in many respects. First and foremost, it’s a picturesque bridge over ‘Canal du Vasse’ connecting Jardins de L’Europe to Promenade Jacquet. Promenade Jacquet is yet another walkway with an eye-pleasing view of the lake and the mountains.

The other reason is the legend associated with the bridge. The legend has it that if one kisses one’s partner in the middle of the bridge, they will be united for life. Whether or not the legend is true, one is sure to fall in love with the view the bridge affords to those who wish to look beyond the legend!

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet”, said Shakespear famously. Whether you call it Pont des Amours or Passerelle du Jardin public, this bridge would make you spend a good amount of time over it either clicking Instgrammable photos or simply getting lost in the views!

Even Microsoft was enamoured with its charm. This bridge was one of the official photos of Windows 7 wallpapers!

Towards the side of the lake, one gets the mesmerizing view of the reflection of the mighty mountains in the open blue expanse of the lake.

Towards the city side, one gets the view of the tree-lined bay with petite wooded jetties where small boats rest marooned.

Did you like the “dainty” green side of Annecy? Do Let me know! Let’s meet tomorrow to stroll around the old part of this fabulous city.

Au revoir!

PS: If you missed joining the tour of Annecy yesterday, click here for a short video of a cruise at Lac d’Annecy to catch up!

This post is part of #BlogchatterA2Z challenge2022

Click here for posts so far in the “Exploring l’Hexagone” series