Take advantage of two special days to (re)discover the history of the towns and villages of Annecy Mountains, learn about culture and local traditions.
© T_nalet_ot_sla /
© Tas2Cailloux
The history of a hamlet such as Verthier in the Sources du Lac d’Annecy destination. Dalila and Alain will whisk you back to the era of the toll bridge and water mills in Doussard, one of the area’s oldest villages which has inspired some of the great painters. Just on the outskirts of the Aravis mountains, a guide and actors in period clothing will take you back to the Thônes of yesteryear on a dramatised guided tour. And there are several opportunities to explore Annecy and the different districts such as Renoir, Novel-Teppes, Meythet and Cran-Gevrier. Take a stroll along the banks of the Vassé or the Thiou. Take part in one of the poetic or connected walking tours to explore Annecy in a different way.
© Office de tourisme Thônes Coeur des Vallées
© Dep74
Haute-Savoie was an important place during the Resistance, particularly Glières plateau. A number of events will be organised at the Musée Départemental de la Résistance in Thônes, at the Morette site. An opportunity to learn about the men and women who left their mark on history, and find out about what life was like for them during this time thanks to a collection of objects, old photos and films from the archives. New this year: take a look behind the scenes at the museum and the collections. In Annecy, come to Saint-François square for a two-hour expedition back to a time when the town was experiencing the trials and tribulations of the war.
There are many chapels dotted across the mountains and villages of Annecy Mountains. Some of them will be open especially for the European Heritage Days and there will be special events organised. In Sources du Lac d’Annecy, don’t miss the two concerts at the Chevaline Chapel and Chapel of Notre-Dame-de-la-Nativité when you visit Verthier. In Annecy, the Chapel of Ferrières and Chapel of Frontenex will also be open to the public for the occasion. As will the Maison de la Galerie and the second Visitation Monastery which are usually closed to the public.
Go up as far as the resorts of the Aravis and venture inside traditional authentic houses. The Hameau des Alpes museum in La Clusaz organises special events on the theme of life in the olden days, with demonstrations of sawing and using the bread oven. There, you can also learn about the history of skiing and the secrets of reblochon cheese. In Grand-Bornand, visit the Maison de la Valérie, open especially for this occasion. It houses a number of treasures that cannot all be exhibited at the Maison du Patrimoine, Grand-Bornand eco-museum.
At La Source in Grand-Bornand, you can expect a fun day out full of new discoveries related to the Alps. The Écomusée du Bois et de la Forêt in Thônes organises tours of the Étouvières sawmill, adapted for visitors from the age of 3. Near Annecy, fans of the world of knights will enjoy visiting the Domaine du Château de Montrottier. There will be giant wooden games dotted around the garden for the occasion. Finally, in the centre of this lakeside town, you can discover a collection of old children’s books and learn about the diversity of plants and green areas that are integrated into urban development. A fascinating and diverse programme of events!
