Annecy

This morning we had an early start, as we went to Annecy for the day by train. We walked to Lyon Part-Dieu train station and waited for our train. In France they don’t announce the platform until 20 minutes before departure, so everyone waits downstairs for the platform number to go up and then there is a dash to the platform to wait for the train to arrive. We had purchased first class tickets but, guess what, there wasn’t a first class compartment on the train (Bugger, Not happy Jéan!). It was a lovely two-hour (approx. 100 km) train trip through some beautiful countryside as we made our way up into the mountains to Annecy.

A little bit about Annecy, located at the foot of the Alps on Lake Annecy It is considered one of the most picturesque cities in France. It is the former capital of the Duchy of Geneva, a division of the Duchy of Savoy, which became a part of France in 1860. Before, Savoy had been ruled at different periods by the counts of Geneva, the kings of Sardinia and France. Savoy is a very distinctive area of modern France, and Annecy is a distinctive city, with a heritage that is Alpine more than French. There are a number of canals and waterways running through the city, earning it the nickname “Venice of the Alps”.

We arrived in Annecy just after 11 am, with blue sky and the sun shining. After consulting maps we decided to head in the general direction of the lake, wandering along the laneways and small streets of the old city. It definitely is a beautiful and picturesque place, and very photographable. We walked along the Canal Thiou down to the lake, and then along the lake to the Pont des Amours. We passed the Palais de l’Île and found a lovely Creperie on one of the canals to have lunch. Ian had a Tartiflette (a local specialty) made with sliced potatoes, onions, lardons and reblochon cheese, which is baked in the oven. I had a galette (a crepe made with buckwheat) and chose one called “Le Fôret” which had chicken, champignons, reblochon cheese, an egg and béchamel sauce, which was delicious. We shared a half bottle of local wine called “La Tacconniére”, a dry and crisp white wine from the Seyssel region in Savoie. We also shared a crepe Citron with a cup of coffee for dessert.

Following lunch, we continued to stroll around the old town, discovering some lovely old buildings, small gardens and laneways. About 2.15 pm we decided to stop at “Auberge du Lyonnais”, a lovely hotel nestled by Le Thiou, for a glass of wine and to people watch until we needed to head back to the station to catch our return train. On our return train there was a first class section, which we secured seats in. The two hour trip home went relatively quickly as we chatted to a lovely young British couple about everything from politics - American, Australian and British - lack of rental properties for young people, sustainability, Australia’s voting system, travel, jobs we and they have, tennis, cricket and much more.

On returning to Lyon we bid them farewell and Ian and I headed off to the Paul Bocuse market to pick up something for dinner, but found the market basically closed. Plan B was to buy a baguette and some other supplies and have dinner in. I am so glad we are having another quiet evening in as I am knackered and I know why - I have walked in excess of 19,000 steps which translates to 12.35kmLæs mere