Le Pâquier (The Pasture), Annecy (must see)

Paquier is the Arpitan word for pasture. In Annecy the Paquier is a huge landscaped meadowland of 18.5 acres. It has an esplanade bordering Lake Annecy offering a stunning view of the lake and mountains. It is part of a network of parks and gardens including the Gardens of Europe, the Imperial Palace gardens and the beach of Old Annecy.

There is a legend, popularized by the writings of Canon Claude-Antoine Ducis. In 1892 he wrote in La Revue Savoisienne that the Pâquier was a land grant by the lady Mossiere for the "antics" of the children of Annecy. However, there is no official record of such a donation.

A more likely story is that of Count Bernard VI de Menthon. In 1613 it is recorded that he gave a large part of the Paquier to the children of the city "from a large meadow called Paquier." The count was a colonel of the Annecy regiment. The "children" were actually a "company of knights shooters" practicing archery in the field.

The Paquier included the Gardens of Europe peninsula. It is currently separated from the peninsula by the Vasse canal. The peninsula and the meadow are connected by the iron footbridge, Bridge of Love.

The Paquier stretches along the avenue du Petit-Port by the beach of Albigny with its tree-lined lawn, past the marina to the promenade to Veyrier-du-Lac. On the opposite side of the avenue are buildings and parking lots, shopping and a campsite.

A must attend event of the Paquier is the annual Lake Festival, featuring fireworks and music in august. There have been military olympic events, triathlons, marathons and Tour-de-France races.