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Annecy

A chateau on the shores of Annecy lake. Taken during a ride on a speedy boat

Here is a picture of the floating restaurant in Annecy. It serves good food, is open during summer for lunch and dinner and you can have a taste of haute cuisine served in an elegant fashion while slowly drifting in the lake. The menu has reasonable variety, and if you earn in USD, it is cheap. If you earn in FFR, it is slightly expensive. You can enjoy the surrounding hills and the beautiful Semnoz. Semnoz is a famous skiing hill. The snowy peaks of French Alps grace the horizon. From some points in the lake, you can see Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps. If you want to go up Alps, travel to Chamonix, a small town 80km away. From there, you can take long cable car trips to climb Alps.

On the great hanging bridge on the way to Geneva from Annecy. Along with my friend Pratima. The view through the cracks of the wooden planks is spectacular since this bridge is across a valley. At times the clouds sail by beneath your feet.

Fort Culoz, near Annecy. On the way to Geneva. French country side is dotted with old castles. Very nice.

Semnoz is a beautiful hill. You can ski there in winter, you can treck at any time, you can parasail when you feel like it or have a taste of crisp and fresh mountain air. During summer, there is a public bus service from the city center to Semnoz. From the top, you can see the Annecy lake, the city of Annecy, distant Alps and much more. It is such a lovely place that I miss it (though I frequently drive to the Skyline Drive in Virginia, it is no match for Semnoz). Here is a picture which was taken from Semnoz, when the whole city of Annecy was under clouds! Is it not a lovely sight? I felt weightless when I was above the clouds, with my feet still in terra firma.

Here's Lovers' Bridge during the wonderful spring time! The fresh air and the lake and the geese really makes you feel romantic.

This picture of Thiou Canal is taken from the far side of the old city, ie., away from the lake. The geese playing in water are really cute, though in this picture you can see only one.

The Lover's Bridge in Annecy. It is a small arch-shaped wooden bridge, over the Thiou canal. It is indeed romantic, and connects two sides of the lake-side park. The first picture was taken in summer, from the regular road bridge (the one from which the above two photos of the little palace were taken) and the second one in winter.

This is supposedly an "island palace", but it is rather too small to be called a palace. Nevertheless, it gives a very serene view of the entrance to the old city.

Now, you see how different the little palace looks at night? That is the beauty of Annecy. Anytime, anywhere, it is lovely. Just like Paris is lovely in a gigantic scale, Annecy is lovely and quiet. After you cool off your heals on a boat ride, when your boat pulls over to the pier, you can see the lights coming on. You just have to time your ride in the evening. It is a beautiful sight.

Another view of the bridge across the mountains near Annecy. You can see the clouds going under it.

Here I'm at the small bridge across the Thiou Canal, to the old city of Annecy. The old quarter is a really nice market place.

There is one old castle near the old city of Annecy. Here it is as seen from a boat.

Grenoble

A distant view of the funicular railway to the top of a hill at Grenoble. Grenoble is an industrial city, however there are some interesting sights there.

Nice

At a hill overlooking the Mediterranean sea. The blue sea is really beautiful.

With Mediterranean sea as the background. This is a garden atop a hill. It is a tough walk up there, but the view of the ocean, light house and the airport far away is worth it.

Here, I'm at the beaches of Nice, the beautiful city on the banks of the blue Mediterranean sea.

Paris

One of the best things to do in Paris is to take a cruise down the Seinne river. People are so jovial!

I would say, this is the most majestic palace I've ever seen. No wonder the French revolted. Vive la Liberte!

The most famous landmark in Paris. This is how you make tall structures, which so effortlessly and magnificently adorn the skyline.