Around Lake Annecy (France)

This region is my favorite playground. Annecy (France), its old town, lake and surrounding mountains offer a wide variety of colors and moods whatever the season.

First light on Talloires First light on Talloires First light on Talloires First light on Talloires First light on Talloires First light on Talloires First light on Talloires First light on Talloires First light on Talloires First light on Talloires First light on Talloires First light on Talloires First light on Talloires
First light on Talloires

Early day over Talloires Bay in December. At this time of year, clouds are often very present over Lake Annecy. That morning, the Bauges mountains were clear and covered with the first snow.

100% cotton in Annecy 100% cotton in Annecy 100% cotton in Annecy 100% cotton in Annecy 100% cotton in Annecy 100% cotton in Annecy 100% cotton in Annecy 100% cotton in Annecy 100% cotton in Annecy 100% cotton in Annecy 100% cotton in Annecy 100% cotton in Annecy 100% cotton in Annecy
100% cotton in Annecy

Behind the clouds lies Annecy in France and its surrounding area. Only the Church of the Visitation seems to dominate the valley.
These conditions are not uncommon in winter, and it's enough to take a step up to see the city disappear in a layer of cotton.

Pastel mornings Pastel mornings Pastel mornings Pastel mornings Pastel mornings Pastel mornings Pastel mornings Pastel mornings Pastel mornings Pastel mornings Pastel mornings Pastel mornings Pastel mornings
Pastel mornings

Lake Annecy in France is my favorite playground. Every day offers a different spectacle. It's one of my favorite places to be early in the morning. And sometimes the colors above the mountains are incredible...

View of Mont-Blanc from Semnoz View of Mont-Blanc from Semnoz View of Mont-Blanc from Semnoz View of Mont-Blanc from Semnoz View of Mont-Blanc from Semnoz View of Mont-Blanc from Semnoz View of Mont-Blanc from Semnoz View of Mont-Blanc from Semnoz View of Mont-Blanc from Semnoz View of Mont-Blanc from Semnoz View of Mont-Blanc from Semnoz View of Mont-Blanc from Semnoz View of Mont-Blanc from Semnoz
View of Mont-Blanc from Semnoz

Panoramic view of the Mont Blanc massif from the Semnoz above Annecy (France).

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Lake aurora

During the winter season, the sky over Lake Annecy (France) offers spectacular hues. The colors are soft and contrasting, everything is calm and the city seems to belong to us. And sometimes all it takes is a little height to discover new perspectives.

First star First star First star First star First star First star First star First star First star First star First star First star First star
First star

The end of Lake Annecy (France) is a place where I often go early in the morning, especially in autumn. When the mist is present, it's a sight to behold. I particularly like it when the first rays emerge behind the mountains.

Orange sky at the Col de la Forclaz above Lake Annecy Orange sky at the Col de la Forclaz above Lake Annecy Orange sky at the Col de la Forclaz above Lake Annecy Orange sky at the Col de la Forclaz above Lake Annecy Orange sky at the Col de la Forclaz above Lake Annecy Orange sky at the Col de la Forclaz above Lake Annecy Orange sky at the Col de la Forclaz above Lake Annecy Orange sky at the Col de la Forclaz above Lake Annecy Orange sky at the Col de la Forclaz above Lake Annecy Orange sky at the Col de la Forclaz above Lake Annecy Orange sky at the Col de la Forclaz above Lake Annecy Orange sky at the Col de la Forclaz above Lake Annecy Orange sky at the Col de la Forclaz above Lake Annecy
Orange sky at the Col de la Forclaz above Lake Annecy

The Col de la Forclaz is one of the best places to enjoy a view of the whole of Lake Annecy (France), with the town in the background. This is particularly true at the end of the day, when the sun sets. A number of paragliders like to take off at this time for light-hearted shots.

Annecy castle and old prisons Annecy castle and old prisons Annecy castle and old prisons Annecy castle and old prisons Annecy castle and old prisons Annecy castle and old prisons Annecy castle and old prisons Annecy castle and old prisons Annecy castle and old prisons Annecy castle and old prisons Annecy castle and old prisons Annecy castle and old prisons Annecy castle and old prisons
Annecy castle and old prisons

The town of Annecy (France), nestled between lake and mountains, is crossed by the Thiou, a 3.5 km-long river that is the lake's spillway. Its old town is the main attraction, in particular its 13th-century château and the 12th-century Palais de l'Ile, the most photographed monument.

Floating pontoon Floating pontoon Floating pontoon Floating pontoon Floating pontoon Floating pontoon Floating pontoon Floating pontoon Floating pontoon Floating pontoon Floating pontoon Floating pontoon Floating pontoon
Floating pontoon

After a very rainy autumn, the pontoons on Lake Annecy (France) found themselves drowned or just afloat like this one. You can barely make out the frost on the pontoon that morning, a good way to take what is probably an invigorating bath at the start of winter.

Secret pontoon Secret pontoon Secret pontoon Secret pontoon Secret pontoon Secret pontoon Secret pontoon Secret pontoon Secret pontoon Secret pontoon Secret pontoon Secret pontoon Secret pontoon
Secret pontoon

I love the calm that emanates from this image, the contrast of colors and the partially dismantled pontoon, which foreshadows an uncertain future.
This pontoon used to be dismantled in winter, which is no longer the case today.

Sunrise over Mont Blanc Sunrise over Mont Blanc Sunrise over Mont Blanc Sunrise over Mont Blanc Sunrise over Mont Blanc Sunrise over Mont Blanc Sunrise over Mont Blanc Sunrise over Mont Blanc Sunrise over Mont Blanc Sunrise over Mont Blanc Sunrise over Mont Blanc Sunrise over Mont Blanc Sunrise over Mont Blanc
Sunrise over Mont Blanc

Sunrise over Mont Blanc, La Tournette and the Aravis massif in France. Photo taken from the Semnoz, which offers a 360-degree panorama. One of the must-see places around Annecy.

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The new year

On January 1st, I was lucky enough to enjoy one of the most beautiful sunrises in Annecy (France). The show only lasted a few minutes, but the first photos I took that morning were the most beautiful.

Old town of Annecy Old town of Annecy Old town of Annecy Old town of Annecy Old town of Annecy Old town of Annecy Old town of Annecy Old town of Annecy Old town of Annecy Old town of Annecy Old town of Annecy Old town of Annecy Old town of Annecy
Old town of Annecy

The town of Annecy (France), nestled between the lake and the mountains, is crossed by the Thiou, a 3.5 km-long river that flows out of the lake. Surrounded by houses with ochre facades, the contrast is striking. It's always a pleasure to wander around, especially early in the morning when the town belongs to us.

Château de Châteauvieux in Duingt Château de Châteauvieux in Duingt Château de Châteauvieux in Duingt Château de Châteauvieux in Duingt Château de Châteauvieux in Duingt Château de Châteauvieux in Duingt Château de Châteauvieux in Duingt Château de Châteauvieux in Duingt Château de Châteauvieux in Duingt Château de Châteauvieux in Duingt Château de Châteauvieux in Duingt Château de Châteauvieux in Duingt Château de Châteauvieux in Duingt
Château de Châteauvieux in Duingt

Château de Châteauvieux, also known as Château Ruphy or Château de Duingt, stands on the western shore of Lake Annecy (France). It is located on a peninsula overlooking the bay of Talloires. An ancient fortified house built in the 12th century, it has inspired many artists, including Paul Cézanne, who painted the "Lac Bleu" in 1896. An inspiring place for photographers too...

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