Our Visit to Lake Annecy, France

The week after our Montpellier trip, I woke up early on my day off because we had planned a lake trip. My friends left at 7 am, but I joined a little later. I first finished my walk with my dog and then rushed to the bus station to catch my ride. The weather during the journey was lovely and the atmosphere was peaceful.

Lake Annecy is a stunning lake located in southeastern France, nestled at the foot of the Alps. It’s one of the cleanest lakes in Europe, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views. Getting there from Lyon is pretty straightforward, about 2 hours by train or 2.5–3 hours by bus. You can swim, sail, bike or enjoy many other activities. There's also a charming town called Annecy by the lake, often referred to as the Venice of the Alps because of its canals, a beautiful place.

After getting off the bus, I hopped on another one to reach the lake and soon enough, I arrived. The area was quite crowded. Once I found my friends, we enjoyed the day amidst stunning views.

At one point, there was a brief scare when three children were thought to be missing on the lake. Rescue teams quickly sprang into action, but thankfully, the kids had just wandered off to another spot and everything turned out fine. I really admire the organization and response in such situations.

After relaxing by the lake and soaking in the scenery, we played a few board games we had brought along. The weather was perfect and playing games with the lake as a backdrop was such a delight. While our laughter momentarily broke the lake’s serenity, we were careful not to disturb those around us. The games added a fun twist to our day.

The lake’s water was so crystal-clear that I could see the stones at the bottom. Many people had brought their dogs and watching the dogs play in the water was pure joy. Their energy, especially as they chased each other and leapt into the water, was infectious. The swans gliding on the lake were equally mesmerizing.

Later we decided to go on a catamaran tour and sailed toward the center of the lake. During the tour, we mustered the courage to jump into the water from the catamaran, a thrilling and unforgettable experience.

When hunger struck, we headed to a lakeside café and used a vending machine to order our meals. The place was teeming with pigeons, unafraid to approach the tables. It was the first time I’d seen pigeons so comfortable around people. They must be very accustomed to the locals.

At the end of the day on the way back, I reflected on everything I had experienced and seen. Adventures like these are both exhausting and enriching. Soon I’ll reunite with my friends for new adventures.