France: Yvoire & Annecy

Favourite Experiences:

Hiking along the shores of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman)
Visiting Le Jardin des Cinq Sens in Yvoire
Exploring the canals in Annecy

On my first day in France, I visited Yvoire, a cute little medieval town on the shores of Lake Geneva. Yvoire is often touted as one of France’s most beautiful villages because of its medieval architecture and the amount of flowers put on display in the summer. It’s a great little village to wander around, shop and eat in, and can easily be explored in a few hours. During my time in Yvoire, I visited Le Jardin des Cinq Sens (Garden of the Five Senses), one of the town’s main attractions, and would definitely recommend a visit in good weather. Yvoire is also close to many beaches and hiking trails along the Lake, making it a great base for enjoying Lake Geneva in the summer. Below are some of my favourite photos from my visit to Yvoire:

Hiking along the shores of Lake Geneva (Lac Leman)

The town of Yvoire from the pier

Lakeside in Yvoire

Château d’Yvoire from Le Jardin de Cinq Sens

Gardens in Le Jardin de Cinq Sens

Jardin de Cinq Sens

Hotel du Port, Yvoire

Sailboats docked at the Yvoire Marina

Wandering through the streets of Yvoire

Beautiful flowers are displayed throughout the town during the summer

A small square full of cafés in Yvoire

Overlooking Lake Geneva from just outside the city walls of Yvoire

Hiking through château grounds along Lake Geneva

The Alps from the shore of Lake Geneva

On my second day in France, I visited Annecy, “The Venice of the Alps”. Annecy is the biggest town on Lake Annecy, and two scenic canals run through its old town. On market days, stalls are set up along the canals selling local food (cheese!) and wine. Along the lake, there are beaches for swimming, cruises, boats for rent, and plenty of other water activities during the summer. Annecy is great for shopping, eating, and wandering along the canals. Compared to Yvoire, Annecy is much larger and busier during tourist season (especially on market days). Below are some of my favourite photos from Annecy: