 
Annecy - Haute Savoie - France practicebicycle.com quality cycling holidays in the French Alps are unique! We offer you something very special! Your experience begins from the very moment you arrive in one of the most beautiful and popular resort towns of the French Alps, Annecy, the perfect location for cycling and relaxing. What we like to call the "escapism" of every day regular life. 
Since our very first visit to Annecy in 1998 we have been cycling, living and experiencing all that this remarkable area of the world has to offer, practicebicycle would like to share this personal experience with you, a cycling in the french alps tour. You may think that a cycling in the french alps holiday has to be isolated on the side of a mountain with cow bells (not that you will not see and hear this familiar alpine culture!). practicebicycle have found the contrast to great cycling as well as a great French cultural experience. You will find it hard to believe that there could be such an incredible contrast which awaits you! Magnificent days spent cycling in tranquillity with breathtaking scenery around every corner, with the luxury of returning to the chic town of Annecy to relax and enjoy everything that this "little pearl in the box" has to offer. Your very own "petit Paris" whilst on a cycling holiday with a difference!!! The Town of AnnecyAnnecy is a town of both natural and man made beauty, rich in history and coupled with modern up to date facilities including shops, cinemas and restaurants, with sports and leisure activities for all. This makes Annecy an unforgettable place to visit and perfect for both cyclists and accompanying non-cyclists alike.  Our guests have made comparisons with some other wonderful towns around the world, such as that of Bath in the south-west of England and the Italian city of Florence in Tuscany. Annecy holds its own very special reputation to the French, with many Parisian's escaping here at any opportunity. Undoubtedly you will agree with them and truly experience escapism that will remain with you for a lifetime! 
Modern day Annecy has all the attractions that you would expect to find in such a classy location. You will be amazed with the local sites and activities available to you and all easily accessible on foot from you quality hotel. Take a relaxing guided tour exploring the historic places of interest or relax in the local cafes and restaurants before a chic shopping experience. Some of these magnificent buildings of the 12th century include; "Chateau d"Annecy" which is now a museum to the lake and area, also the "Palace de I'sle" (old prison), which has become a symbol of the town and is an unusual boat shaped building in the centre of the Thiou canal and amongst the most photographed monuments in France.  No visit to Annecy would be complete without a stroll through the "Old town markets", watching the locals going about their daily life or take yourself into one of the many boulangeries to sample a "croissant" or "pain au chocolate". Take the time to sit and watch Annecy life pass you buy over a coffee in one of the many bars or an afternoon "salon du tea" experience. Early evening wander the streets and take a traditional Aperitif may it be a "Kir Royal' or a "Panache" or simply a "Diablo" before dinner at one of our favourite restaurants. 
Then of course the magnificent Lac Annecy, which you will enjoy each day as we ride out of town, but there is something special and different in seeing the town and surrounding Alps from the water on your leisure boat trip or the ambience of a twilight evening dinner cruise. Annecy is a very special town that practicebicycle wish to share with you, so you too can experience the difference with a cycling holiday with us. The Area of AnnecyAnnecy is fondly known as the "Venise of Savoie" and is positioned between Geneva and Chambery in the region of the Rhone-Alps, the town sits on the northern edge of the famous "Lac Annecy". It won't take you long to understand why it was given this unique name with the waters of the river "Thiou" canal entering from the lake and passing through the enchanting cobbled streets and narrow medieval alley ways.  The spectacular Lac Annecy is an amazing contrast of turquoise colours changing each day surrounded by the green and rocky backdrop of the Grand Alps. With it's cool, clear waters and summer water temperatures of 23c it makes for a pleasurable experience and holds the proud reputation as the cleanest lake in Europe. With Annecy positioned at the base of the natural beauty of the French Alps, its position allows you to see spectacular panoramic views, which are constantly changing depending on the time of the day or night and with the famous "Mt Blanc" the White Mountain, the highest peak in the Alps and also Europe at 4807m (15,771ft) close by. 
Immediately to the East, Annecy is surrounded by the peaks of the range known as "La Tournette" and the entrance to the "Grand Alps" where you will find many of the famous climbs of cycling included in the Tour de France, and of course scenery that takes your breath away! To the West the long wooded ridge of "Le Semmoz" and the wonderful valley of the "Massif des Bauges" and onto the Rhone River and the department of L'Ain. 
Annecy is easily accessed by the International Airports of either Geneva or Lyon and also conveniently serviced by the TGV (Grand Vitesse Train) direct from Paris, a great way to see the varieties of French countryside pass by on the speedy 3.30hr journey. If you are touring by car then the efficient autoroute system passes by Annecy with the A41. The History of AnnecyA brief history of Annecy begins in the 12th century when it was the home of the Counts of Geneva and the capital of Geneva before it became the House of Savoie in 1401. During the French Revolution, the Savoie region was conquered by France and Annecy became apart of the department of Mont Blanc. When Savoy was annexed by France in 1860, Annecy became the capital of the new department of Haute-Savoie.  The Map of Lake Annecy  |