Annecy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Annecy
È(n)neci (Arpitan)
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Prefecture and commune
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 _(cropped).JPG) .jpg) .jpg) Clockwise from top: Lake Annecy seen from the Pont des Amours, Château d'Annecy, Passage de l'Île, Haute-Savoie prefecture building
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 Annecy
Location in France
Annecy
Location in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
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| Country | France | ||
| Region | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | ||
| Department | Haute-Savoie | ||
| Arrondissement | Annecy | ||
| Canton | Annecy-1, 2, Annecy-3 and 4 | ||
| Intercommunality | CA du Grand Annecy | ||
| Area
1
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66.94 km2 (25.85 sq mi) | ||
| • Urban | 227.0 km2 (87.6 sq mi) | ||
| Population
(2021)
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131,715 | ||
| • Density | 1,967.66/km2 (5,096.2/sq mi) | ||
| • Urban
(2018)
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177,622 | ||
| • Urban density | 782.48/km2 (2,026.6/sq mi) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Annécien (masculine) Annécienne (feminine) |
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| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) | ||
| INSEE/Postal code |
74010 /74000
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| Dialling codes | 0450 | ||
| Elevation | 396–1,153 m (1,299–3,783 ft) | ||
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |||
Annecy is a beautiful city in Southeastern France. It is the main city of the Haute-Savoie area. Annecy sits at the northern end of Lake Annecy, about 35 kilometers south of Geneva, Switzerland.
People often call Annecy the "Pearl of the French Alps." This is because it is located between a lovely lake and tall mountains. The city also controls the northern entrance to the lake's valley.
For many years, Annecy's population stayed around 50,000 people. This was because there wasn't much space to build new homes. The city is squeezed between the lake and the protected Semnoz mountain. However, in 2017, Annecy joined with several nearby towns. This made the city much larger, with over 128,000 people. The wider urban area now has over 177,000 residents. This makes Annecy the seventh-largest city in its region.
Annecy has a long and interesting history. It was once ruled by the counts of Geneva. Then, in the 14th century, it became part of the County of Savoy. From 1434 to 1659, Annecy was the capital of Savoy. In 1536, it became a safe place for the bishop when the Calvinist Reformation began in Geneva. Saint Francis de Sales helped Annecy become a strong center for the Counter-Reformation. In 1860, Annecy became part of France.
The city is sometimes called "Venice of the Alps." This is because of its three canals and the Thiou river. These waterways flow right through the old part of the city. In the 1800s, Annecy grew as an industrial city, especially known for making silk. Today, some big companies like NTN-SNR bearings, Salomon, Entremont, and Dassault Aviation have their main offices here.
Since the late 1800s, Annecy has become a popular tourist spot. Visitors enjoy the lake in summer and the nearby ski resorts in winter. The city also has cultural attractions like its renovated castle and a fine art museum. The famous Animated Film Festival has been held here since 1963. Annecy is also very green, with over 40% of its area being green spaces. In 2015, it won the "Golden Flower" award for being one of France's most-flowered cities.
Contents
History of Annecy
Early Times
"Old Annecy" was a settlement even during the time of the Romans. From the 900s, Annecy was the home of the counts of Geneva. In 1401, it became part of the counts of Savoy. By 1444, Annecy was the main city for the areas of Genevois, Faucigny, and Beaufortain.
A Center for Change
As Calvinism spread, Annecy became an important place for the Counter-Reformation. This was a movement within the Catholic Church. The old Bishopric of Geneva moved to Annecy in 1535. Francis of Sales was born nearby in 1567. He served as the bishop of Annecy from 1602 to 1622. His special items are kept in the cathedral.
During the French Revolution, France took over the Savoy region. Annecy became part of the department of Mont Blanc. Its capital was Chambéry. The Catholic diocese (church area) was closed in 1801.
From 1815 to Today
After the Bourbon Restoration in 1815, Annecy was given back to the King of Sardinia. The Catholic diocese was reopened in 1822. In 1860, Savoy became part of France with the Treaty of Turin. Annecy then became the capital of the new Haute-Savoie department.
Annecy was also where important international trade talks happened in 1949. On January 1, 2017, Annecy merged with five nearby towns. These were Annecy-le-Vieux, Cran-Gevrier, Meythet, Pringy, and Seynod. This made Annecy a much larger city.
City Government
Annecy is divided into four areas called cantons. These are Annecy-1, Annecy-2, Annecy-3, and Annecy-4. It is also the main city, or prefecture, of Haute-Savoie.
Since 2017, Annecy has six main parts. These are Annecy itself, plus Annecy-le-Vieux, Cran-Gevrier, Meythet, Pringy, and Seynod. The city is run by a city council with 202 members. The number of members from each part depends on how many people live there. The current Mayor is François Astorg.
Annecy also works with 34 other towns in a group called Communauté d'agglomération du Grand Annecy.