Weekend trip to Annecy

Hi, all!

Happy November!  We hope you’re all well.  Things here are going great.  We’ve had a busy three weeks, and are now enjoying the beautiful “Fall” weather here in Lyon (60’s and sunny).  

All the kids in France enjoy a nice, long 2-week break in late October, and our kids were really excited as it approached.  They have adjusted beautifully to school here in France, but it’s been a big change, and the vacation came just at the right time.  They gave big hugs to their friends on the last day of school, and headed home.

The day after school ended was Cora's birthday, so we celebrated that with 3 of her new school friends on Saturday afternoon. They played, gave her cute gifts, and we all ate chocolate cake. Cora specially requested this cake, and everything else that we ate all day. She had breakfast in bed, served to her by her siblings. Lunch and dinner were chosen by her too, of course, cooked with love by Chef Dad. Cora had a great time, got an awesome new scooter (thanks Gramma!) and other great gifts.

Birthday breakfast in bed.

All dressed up in her birthday suit.

I made a birthday cake!

Back to school vacation...I had envisioned school vacation here consisting of walks to museums, lots of reading, exploring the city…you know.  For some reason, I thought school vacation might be different here.

By the third or fourth day, we were hearing lots of things like, “Mama, what can I do?”  or “Dad, can you please tell them to be quiet??”  

Some things stay the same no matter where you go.

Carving a pumpkin killed some time...

After a day-long Monopoly game, we've got to get out of Dodge for a few days...

So we figured a little change of scenery would do us all some good.  But, because we didn’t have our residency cards quite finalized yet, (but they are now  -  next post on that!!) we couldn’t leave the country for fear of being sent back to the consulate in Chicago.  Not a good risk to take.  

Since the French Alps are so close by, we decided to take a weekend trip to a beautiful little town that we’d been reading about called Annecy.  Annecy is an alpine town which sits right on the northern edge of Lake Annecy tucked in the foothills of the French Alps.  Only two hours by train from Lyon, we grabbed tickets, booked a quick Airbnb, and packed a suitcase.

On the train to Annecy

The kids said the train reminded them of the 'Hogwart's Express'

The train ride was beautiful.  The Fall colors here were so much more beautiful than I had imagined.  Living in New England for years has made me a foliage snob, but I was ‘oohing and aahing’ each time the train rounded a bend and new vistas came into view. But, Katherine says New England foliage still beats this place. Hurrumph.

Passing Lac du Bourget, en route to Annecy

The train station in Annecy is nice and small, and we were able to find our digs quickly and easily. Then we headed downtown for a little exploration.

Leo, the photo-bomber, strikes again.

What a beautiful town!  We walked street after street and along the picturesque canals which wind their way through the village and into the great mountain lake.  Each time we turned a corner we seemed to be stopping to snap pictures, until we realized that you can’t really take a bad picture in Annecy, so there is no urgency to any shot.

The food was all Alpine fare: think of fondue, lardons and cream.  Most restaurants had a regional food section which was a big pile of potatoes, cheese and ham.

This canal is one of the most photographed spots in Annecy.

Epic photo bomb, courtesy of Cora.

We had beautiful weather and took a two-hour boat ride down Lake Annecy right away.  Leo actually fell asleep, but was happy because he was sleeping on a boat.  And Daphne and Cora were happy because he was asleep.  

Leaving the port of Annecy for a two-hour cruise. The castle in the city center is just visible beneath the tip of the flag.

Best. Bubble. Ever.

Annecy at night is quite romantic!

Buying earrings with Mama.

The kids wanted to bring this little friend home with us.

He was hanging out at the entrance to the castle.

Another secret passageway.

Cutest house ever, just in the shadow of the castle walls.

Sunday market along the canal.

On our second day (Halloween), we rented some bikes and rode along the bike path which goes almost all the way around the lake.  The only trouble we encountered was trying to find a stopping place for lunch.  We keep forgetting that everything closes down between 2pm and 6pm, so we kept striking out looking for food.  Ah, well.  “That which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right kids?”

Katherine wanted to ride in the chariot, but Leo won the coin-toss.

FREE subscription to our blog if anyone can identify this bird!

Cora, gamely keeping up, but very hungry....

The lake in the morning

These trees have been "pollarded". It's a special yearly pruning method very popular here. They are sycamore trees. 

We rode around this town for a while, looking for food...

Anything but potatoes, cheese and ham, please!

I want potatoes, cheese and ham!!!

Halloween festivities, Alpine-style:)

The kids want to come back to Annecy next year for Halloween too.

Lots of love, and we'll see you all in the next post.