Château d'Annecy (Annecy Castle), Annecy (must see)

Tucked away beside a lake in the old town of Annecy in the mountains of southeastern France, is the venerable 12th century Chateau d'Annecy. In 1959 it was listed as a historical monument by the Ministry of Culture. The Counts of Geneva and the Dukes of Genvois-Nemours, former tenants of the castle, would be pleased.

Sadly, the castle proved to be a firetrap and it was abandoned in the 17th century. It was repaired soon enough but the glory days of counts and dukes were over. It became a barracks. The castle closed down in 1947 but it was purchased by the town of Annecy in 1953. Et voila! It became a museum.

The castle is divided into towers and loggias called "logis." The Queen's Tower was erected in the twelfth century. Its walls are 13 feet thick. It has aged very well. Together with the Logis Perriere, it houses the Regional Observatory of the Alpine Lakes. The Logis Perriere dates from the 15th century.

Other Logis of the Castle are the Old Logis, the Logis Nemours and Logis Neuf. Besides the observatory, the castle houses the Museum of Alpine Popular Art. The museum collection has sculptures and paintings from surrounding regions. The castle also houses 15th century furniture and photographs and scale models of Alpine architecture.

In the Observatory there are artifacts and evidence of prehistoric lakeside settlements. Exhibits include aquariums holding different species of freshwater fish. There are examples of fishing equipment and boats used in the Alps and a scale model of Lake Annecy and its environs. And yes, there are birds.

Why You Should Visit:
Above all, stunning views of the lake and the surrounding landscape.

Tips:
There is a modest entrance fee. Parking is possible but walking up to the Castle through the old town have its rewards.