In the harbour of Talloires

The mountain massifs of the Tournette (2,351 m), Annecy’s local mountain, and the Dents du Lanfon form a steep and shady barrier to the east, so that the morning sunlight is late to illuminate the picturesque harbour of Talloires on Lake Annecy.

Right by the harbour lies the former monastery “Abbaye de Talloires”, which was converted into a hotel and also hosted Paul Cézanne in 1896; it was from here that he created one of his finest masterpieces – “Le Lac d’Annecy” – a view of the lake with Duingt Castle set against the ridges of Taillefer and the Montagnes d’Entrevernes. No less picturesquely, guests today sit under shady trees right on the lakeshore in restaurants renowned for their outstanding cuisine.

The village is the starting point for the road up to the Col de la Forclaz, a popular spot for paragliders, or for hikes on the Roc de Chère, a wooded nature reserve rising from the lake with steep cliffs that offers fantastic views of Lake Annecy.