Annecy

We had a chilling out day initially in the campsite on Lake Annecy getting our clothes washing done and swimming in the lake. We really enjoyed it.

The next day we got going early and caught the bus into Annecy town. The Sunday market was on which was really colourful with lots of action alongside the river and in the old narrow streets.

There was one stall with returned Amazon packages with a price but with no idea of what is inside - it’s pot luck what you get. There were a lot of fruit and vegetable stalls - which is what we bought. After a restorative coffee under the old arches next to the stalls we had a walk around the old part of Annecy and over the Pont d’Amour to the lakeside parks - one with very large trees planted over 200 years ago. Being Sunday, and also as there was a running festival on, it was very busy.

We then went to the Palace de l’Isle - a 12th century building on an island in the river. It has been a castle, prison, administration and justice building during its life. This is it from the outside - and some old paintings of it in the past.

We saw some of the upper level holding cells - now repurposed as display rooms and a yoga area. There was also the guards kitchen - still in original condition.

We then went downstairs to the dungeons which were a bit spookier with just a sloping board and a narrow window onto the river.

Some ghost hunters had apparently captured a picture of 3 prisoner ghosts lying on the board. Very creepy!

We then went through the courtyard to the building at the other end. It was a chapel and now has an art installation of glass chains symbolizing the life of the prisoners there.

By now we were getting hungry so went looking for lunch at one of the many restaurants. We found one in the old arched buildings. Below is Glenn before and after wine. We had the menu du jour of leeks with confit egg and pork with mustard sauce and lentils - presented beautifully on lovely pottery dishes. It was very enjoyable.

Now with energy restored we climbed up the hill to the chateau on top of the hill. We had the combined ticket with the Palace de L’Isle costing 8 euro - very reasonable. The cost of most monuments here is very cheap.

The chateau is actually a museum on different subjects.

The first section was about archeology on the lake finding lots of posts that had supported houses over the water.

Celtic rings on rock were found on the side of the lake - exactly like the ones we have seen in Scotland.

An old pottery kiln with bowls and the fossilized skeletons of 2 supposed mermaids were also found - very weird.

We moved building and on the way checked out the views over the town and if the castle.

The next museum was on the medieval castle including a collection of cabinets and old plates to print a pack of cards and various designs.

The last parts were a modern art gallery and an exhibition on Peru with lots of old pieces probably taken by the original French explorers. They were quite bloodthirsty with explanations of their beliefs of human sacrifice to appease the gods above and below.

We then went back down the hill and headed home on the bus with the short walk to the campsite at the end - with a few clouds around.

Some storms came in so we were stuck inside and watched a movie - the first time we have done that really. There were some heavy showers overnight but it all cleared up by the next morning.