Annecy, France

 

Annecy, population 130,000, is always crawling with tourists. This is probably the most photographed

scene in Annecy. You've got the 12th century castle Palais de I'lsle in the middle of the slow-moving Thiou river along with colorful flowers lining the riverbanks. Over the centuries the castle had been a courthouse and prison--even housing prisoners during World War II--it now houses a museum.  

The beautiful old town is worth wandering around. 

Along with the Thiou river, three canals pass through Annecy--giving it the nickname "Venice of the Alps". 

I've been to Annecy multiple times with the last being in 2010. Scroll back on my blog to 2010 to see pictures. Anyway, it seems I always show up on a Sunday and of course, most of the patisseries would be closed. It's not Sunday but, don't find a single pastry shop worth trying. 

I do however find a butcher/deli worth grabbing some edibles. 

   

Window display of the butcher/deli shop

Another canal view.

More scenes from old town. 

That's Annecy Castle in the background. I better go up for a closer look.  

This is the entrance to Annecy Castle, which was built between the 12th and 16th centuries. There's a complex of buildings inside however, it's 9:30 AM and it doesn't open until 10:30 AM and I don't want to hang around.

Like most parts of the world, there's a homeless problem here as this guy is catching a few winks. 

Part of Annecy Castle fortifications. 

Another canal view.

It's 9:30 AM and the old town is coming alive.

Another canal view.

Bridge over canal.

Lake Annecy is a beautiful lake. I've cycled around--roughly 20 miles. 

Grenoble, France

 

I've been following the Isere River as I make my way to Grenoble (population 160,000). Situated at the foot of the French Alps, Grenoble was the host city of the 1968 Winter Olympics. Don't know why the river is an ugly grey color. Entering Grenoble I see these strange cable cars zipping across the river. Where are they going?

Whoa, the cable cars are heading way the heck up to that fortress. Turns out that's Fort de La Bastille, built between 1822-1823, it's the biggest tourist attraction in the region. I gotta figure out how to cycle up there.  

That's Porte de France, one of the old city gates and dates back to 1620. 

Here's a view from Bastille fortress.

I'm waiting for the cable cars to show up. Cable cars started making the trip back in 1934. Over 600,000 visitors visited this place last year.

The cable cars have a nickname: bubbles. 

The place is swarming with visitors. 

That's an entrance to a military museum--which is manned by active military personnel. The city of Grenoble has owned the site since 1970.  

Another view from Bastille fortress.

Wow, I like this impressive sculpture. Known as the Lion fountain it dates back to 1843.

That snake looks pretty mad.

The lion looks pretty intense. 

Chambery, France

Chambery (population 59,000) is situated at the foot of the French Alps next to Lake du Bourget, the largest natural lake in France. This fountain, situated in the city's most prominent square, ranks as one of the coolests I've ever come across. That's General Benoit de Boigne atop the fountain--see next photo.  

Yep, those are life-size elephants (four of 'em) with water spewing out their trunks. What the heck? General Benoit de Boigne (1751-1830), who's also a Count, was born in Chambery and was a military adventurer. Boigne's travels took him to India where he made a huge fortune. Eventually returning to Chambery the Count became a very generous benefactor establishing charities for the needy and poor as well as donating money for building roads and churches. 

Built in 1838 to honor General Benoit de Boigne's exploits in India, it's the city's most famous landmark. The Elephants Fountain is the formal name but, there's an informal name: Les Quatre Sans Culs--which translates to "the four without asses" 

The local ice hockey team is called the Chambery Elephants. Doesn't exactly conjure images of fast moving hockey players. 

That is Chateau Chambery. Dating back to 1285, this fortress is now a regional Administrative complex.

This is the backside of Chateau Chambery.

Inside the chateau's courtyard stands Sainte-Chapelle. 

Still can see parts of the chateau's medieval fortifications.

Street scene in Chambers city center.

So, this is my reason for visiting Chambery. This building dates back to 1832 and is a listed historical landmark. The name above the door "Au  Fidele Berger" translates to "Faithful Shepherd". Ever since 1832 it has housed a patisserie. Behind the woman--near the entrance door is a silver plaque with the words "Relais Desserts". So? Well, if you've been following my blog you know

I have a big sweet tooth. 

Relais Desserts is an organization of about 100 pastry chefs and chocolate makers from 19 countries with the overwhelming majority located in France. They like to think of themselves as the creme de la creme of sweet makers. During my travels I've visited about two dozen. 

Cedric Pernot, whose name you see in the window, has been here since 2011. 

I've recently been fixated on Paris-Brests so I tried one. Somewhat similar to a cream puff. It was good but not good enough for me to grab another. 

These cakes looked yummy. 

Caux Palace (Montreux, Switzerland)

 

My last post was from Leysin and I wrote about the Swiss Hotel Management School having a campus in Leysin and in Montreux. So, I'm in Montreux and will be heading way, way up the mountain to the school, a former hotel (you can't see the school in this photo as it's WAY up there). This is a view near Montreux's lakefront. During the turn-of-the-century a slew of majestic hotels were built on the Lake Geneva waterfront. 

I'm heading up the mountain. That's Lake Geneva.

Oh, I'm nearing the spectacular belle epoque Caux Palace Hotel. This is where the Swiss Hotel Management School calls home.

This is a side view of hotel's front.

Here's a partial view of the hotel. I'm not a happy camper. The place is locked-up and even the promenade and grounds are closed. 

It turns out the Swiss Hotel Management School doesn't own the property but, rents it during the school sessions from September to mid-June. 

Opened in 1902, the Caux Palace Hotel was called the most luxurious in Switzerland. At the same time a cogwheel railway line was built, bringing guests, tourists up the mountain. In 1930 the first Bobsleigh World Championship took place here. 

World War l and World War ll were the downfall of the hotel. In 1946 the Caux Initaitives of Change Foundation bought the property to hosts seminars, conferences and retreats. So, during the summer when the hotel management school is out of session, it's available to rent. 

Here's a view down to Lake Geneva. That's an old ski lift in the photo.

I'm back in Montreux's lakefront and see the sign for Clinique La Prairie, right across the street from Lake Geneva. Better check it out.

La Prairie is that very expensive line of skin care products that uses serum from caviar extract to supposedly roll back aging. Yeah right. 

Clinique La Prairie dates back to 1931 and was founded by Dr. Paul Niehans. This chateau with its French gardens was his residence. 

In 1982 the skin care brand was sold and after several more changes in ownership it was bought by Beiersdorf, (Hamburg, Germany) in 1991. Wow, I didn't know that. Consumer brands of Beiserdorf  include Eucerin (which I use) and Nivea.

Clinique La Prairie is a completely separate from La Prairie and this very expensive wellness and spa complex is quite the place with 50 rooms and suites. 

Armin Mattli bought Clinique La Prairie in 1980 and is still family-owned. 

This building is also part of Clinique La Prairie and business must be good as plans call for wellness and spa centers in China and Saudi Arabia.