The town of Annecy, in the Haute-Savoie region of the Alps, is a wonderful location to spend a winter holiday, and you can learn French at the same time by studying at the Ifalpes French Language School. What better place to learn and practice French could there be than in this peaceful and historic town in France?
There are many winter activities you can enjoy in Annecy as well, such as snowshoeing and ski trips. The Ifalpes School actually organises some of these activities.
Snowshoes and hiking in the French Alps
Snowshoes are ideal as footwear for hiking in the snowy French Alps in winter. There are many trails through the mountains and it is possible to explore the beautiful scenery at any time of year, including the winter.
Snowshoe hiking in Annecy allows you to discover the snowy valleys and amazing snow-covered views. Professional mountain guides will show you the best hiking paths to take, and you can rent snowshoes, or “raquettes,” as they call them in France, if you do not have your own. Beauregard Plateau is a recommended location to start snowshoe walks from.
Lake Annecy Ski Resort
Lake Annecy is one of the main attractions Annecy has to offer at any time of the year, but in winter it functions as a Ski resort. Besides the snowshoeing and winter hiking available in Annecy, it is possible to go skiing too. La Clusaz, Le Grand-Bornand and Le Semnoz are three very popular ski resorts that are near Annecy. Alpine skiing and Nordic skiing can be enjoyed at these resorts.
Attractions of peaceful and historic Annecy
Annecy is very popular with tourists for very many reasons besides its winter sports. Annecy is famous for its peaceful atmosphere, its historic buildings, and the town has many attractions that can be enjoyed all year around. Visitors to Annecy have a choice of hotel accommodation too.
But speaking of historic buildings, Annecy Castle and the Palais de l’isle are two landmarks of Annecy with strong links to the past. The first of these buildings overlooks the town and today houses a museum. The latter is on an islet in the middle of a canal, and in its time has been a residence for nobility, a courthouse, a prison and a mint. Like Annecy Castle, it is now a museum.
Speaking of canals, Annecy has these waterways running right through its heart, and because of this, it has the nickname of Venice of the Alps.
Annecy is very picturesque, located as it is, surrounded by forests and high mountains overlooking a lake, but in winter, with a white blanket of snow on the ground, it looks even more delightful.
Annecy has its own Lovers’ Bridge, or Pont des Amours, to give it its French name, and a dusting of snow adds to its magic and romantic appeal.
