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Annecy, France


Very often, before I even get to my destination, I already know THE photograph that I would like to take.  I imagine blowing it up to a nice 12X18 and hanging it up in my home.  Well, this was to be that photo until I saw this awful scaffolding upon getting to Annecy.  I was a little disappointed but the town is so full of charm and beauty that it really didn't matter.



This 12th Century Palais de l'Isle surrounded by Canal du Thiou has functioned as a lordly residence, a courthouse, a mint and even a prison. 




Annecy, a pictoresque town that was the capital of the county of Geneva before it was incorporated into the House of Savoy in the 1400's.




 This beautiful town is full of historical architecture, buildings that are hundreds of years old, arches, decorative lanterns, old windows with colorful shutters, and all of that is set by a lake among gorgeous mountains.  Annecy is a dream destination, a pure perfection, a little slice of heaven.





 Notre Dame de Liesse built  between 1846-1851 is a beautiful church in the center of Annecy.  The church was founded by count Amadeus of Geneva who intended it to be a necropolis for his family.  Notre Dame de Liesse once housed the Shroud of Turin.

 
 






 Annecy is called the Venice of Savoire due to the small canals and streams that run out of Lake Annecy.





Rue Sainte Claire.
  









 Chateau D'Annecy  built between 13 -16th Centuries sits dramatically above the Old Town.  Once home to the Counts of Geneva it sat abandoned from the 17th Century till it was fully restored in 1953 when it was purchased by the town of Annecy. 
  

The stunning views of the lake and the Old City from the Chateau D'Annecy.




Basilique de la Visitation was built in 1930 and holds the tomb of St. Francois de Sales and St. Jeanne de Chantal, patron Saints of the town.  It has a carillon of 37 bells.




Joanna



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