Sunday 5/5/19 – Well I made it to Annecy via two train hops. No problem since the trains run so smoothly. Annecy is in the Savoie region of France. This region has Europe’s highest mountains and is called the penthouse of the French Alps. Savoie maintained its independence from France until 1860. It is home to the very first Winter Olympics in Charmonix in 1924. Today’s Savoie is France’s mountain-sports capital showcasing the 15,780-foot Mont Blanc as its centerpiece. People say it feels more Swiss than French.
As per Annecy itself (pronounced ahn-see), it has a population of 50,000 and hugs Lake Annecy. Humans have called Annecy home for more than 5,000 years. The city has thrived thanks to its proximity to Geneva, Switzerland’s powerful counts and its easy access to routes over the Alps to Italy. In Roman times, Annecy was an important city of about 2,000 people, complete with a forum, temples, and thermal baths. In 1401, Annecy became part of the Savoie region, eventually serving as capital of a large slice of the House of Savoie. The 1800s saw the rise of hydroelectric power in Annecy and the establishment of a reliable industrial base. The 1900s brought tourism to the lake, and Annecy hasn’t looked back. Tourism definitely drives their economy.
I got in late afternoon and checked into my hotel (another great one a la Rick Steves!). Just a two minute walk to the train station and a 5 minute walk into town. After checking in and unloading my stuff I went to take a walk around town but it got really cloudy and started raining. What’s funny is I’ve gotten more rain in this one week than I got on my 2 month trip to Central Europe last fall. Must be that crazy climate change! So while this city is really pretty, I’ll share pics tomorrow when I’m hoping (no make that praying!) it will be sunny!
And speaking of praying, those who’ve been on these journeys with me know how I love churches. I think of them as architectural works of art both on the inside and outside. I always say, no matter what religion you are or even if you’re agnostic, you can’t help but appreciate the magnificence of what Michael Angelo did at the Sistine Chapel in Rome or St Peter’s Basilica there at the Vatican. Just truly art treasures. Well these are not up to that caliber but are still pretty impressive in their own right, so I’m sharing the insides of several churches I visited this past week. Hope you enjoy them!
Jeff
PS: Happy Cinco de Mayo! Couldn’t get anyone over here to celebrate that! Lol
