Exploring the city of Annecy and the territories of Vanoise, France

We take advantage of the long weekend that gives us 24 June (feast of San Giovanni in Turin) to organize a long weekend in France. So we planned a day of exploring the cultural city of Annecy, and a little 'hiking in the Vanoise National Park. Although the two sites are not just close the route and that's how we like to do it.

 

Annecy

We start early in the morning to get to Annecy in the morning and have so much of the day to visit the city.
Annecy is called the Venice of France, because it is crossed by two canals and houses, just like in Venice, facing along the two channels. In short ... the definition is a little risky.
Annecy, with its 50,000 inhabitants is the capital of Haute-Savoie since 1860, when the region was annexed to France.
The charming town overlooking a bank of Lake Annecy.

The history of this city began in Roman times. The Savoy remained in the hands of the Romans until 408 AD after which he joined the kingdom of Provence in the fifteenth century became part of the possessions of the House of Savoy.

We visit what is called the old city, its churches, its houses, its winding streets crowded with tourists and shops. We spend too enjoy the sun on the shores of Lake Annecy. The lake is navigable and you can take part in one of the many cruises that are organized its lake. A bike path runs along most of the lake, another way to learn about this place.

The castle overlooks the old city and its square has a magnificent view over the rooftops of the city and the lake. Inside there is a museum is not particularly interesting. The ticket, € 6.50, you can visit the castle and the Palais Ile, in the latter are particularly interesting prisons.
The Palais Ile we have all seen at least once, is present in all tourist brochures presenting the city. This is the house situated on a fortified island in the middle of the channel.

The day flies in the late afternoon and let the beautiful Annecy in the direction of Termignon in the Vanoise. We set our tent camp in the one of the city. The air is very fresh in the evening and the night temperatures go down a lot.
The Vanoise National Park is located in the Savoie region on the border with Italy.

Col da la Vanoise

Today is a beautiful sunny day and we have plenty of time for walking in the Vanoise National Park with no particular time constraints to be respected.

The Vanoise National Park is the first French national park, established in 1963 to protect the nearly extinct mountain goat. In the nearby National Park of Gran Paradiso is counted, in 1823, just over a hundred of these beautiful animals. This was the date on which it was forbidden to hunt for ibex (in Italy is a protected species because, as in France and other countries of the Alps has seriously threatened the extinction). The Gran Paradiso National Park was established in 1922, some years later (1943) in the Vanoise, thanks to the French Alpine Club is a nature reserve, which after many vicissitudes in 1963 he became the current National Park.
The park encompasses a vast territory consists of mountains, just think that 107 peaks over 3000 meters, and large green valleys, beautiful lakes and several alpine glaciers, although many are now in sharp retreat.
We leave our car in the parking lot of Bellecombe (whose path starts directly from the town of Termignon). Even the journey by car offers many views of the mountains.
Mark chose the path that goes into the heart of this valley and the hill and leads us to the refuge of the Vanoise.
The path is a bit 'long, is initially flat and passes next to a pond where many fishermen are already at work, then the refuge Achieved Plan du Lac where the view of the valley. The trail then descends (you lose 350 vertical meters) up to the Pont de la Renaudiere. After crossing the bridge you begin the ascent. It dates back to the shelter of Entre Deux Eaux and then proceeds in the direction of the valley with a slight downhill (here ... so much effort at all). Cross the bridge Croè-way and start the real climb (550 vertical meters). The path continues in the wide valley with a long sloping path where you meet lots of marmots. Along the way you can see two beautiful alpine lakes. Finally Reaches the Col de la Vanoise is where there is also the namesake refuge. Splendid views along the trail and breathtaking views of the Grand Banks and its glacier. The Grand Banks, with its 3855 m, is the highest peak of the Vanoise National Park.
The return is made on the same route. More or less round trip is about 20 km but it is really worth.

From late June to early September there is a shuttle service from Termignon Bellecombe and from there to the shelter of Entre Deux Eaux. In short, for the lazy, you can shorten a bit 'the trip. In this way the initial descent and final ascent is avoided ... but .. is not the same thing!

Pointe du Gran Vallon

Today we choose a shorter route than yesterday, but just as scenic.

We always leave our car in Bellecombe (2307 m), and take a dirt road on the left of the parking lot that leads to some pastures.
We leave the dirt road that ends just before and go diagonally to the south, first on pasture and then debris (even the trace of the path) to the collar located between the Grand and Petit Vallon Vallon at an altitude of 2750. I climb the Petit Vallon, while Mark goes to the Grand Vallon and then join me on my top.
The two peaks are very scenic.
Let's go back to the car park follow roughly the same route.

Our mini-vacation is over ... we continue the way home satisfied with the three days spent in France and the beautiful days we had. An advance of the holidays .. sometimes it's necessary...