Annecy Fete du Lac 2009

August events in the French Alps

July was a busy month for events in the Haute-Savoie, with various music and performing arts festivals and sporting events taking place to mark the start of the popular summer season. The calendar for August looks somewhat quieter, perhaps in line with the timings of the great French national exodus for the summer holidays; however don't be misled into thinking that nothing happens in the Alps in August!

August is one of the busiest times of year for the Haute-Savoie, with international and French tourists pouring into the region to enjoy some of the best sporting activities the world has to offer; whether it's extreme climbing or scaling the dizzying heights of Mont Blanc, taking to the air with paragliding, hang-gliding and hot air ballooning, braving the adrenalin-charged rough and tumble of mountain biking over craggy peaks, working your muscles with high altitude hiking and mountaineering or simply taking time to sit back, relax and laze on the beaches around the lakeside, taking in the fabulous views, enjoying the warm sunshine and letting others do all the hard work.

There are two major events in the region in August that are absolute must-sees for your diary. The first is the annual Fete du Lac in Annecy and the second is the strenuous Mont Blanc Ultra-Trail.

Fete du Lac, Annecy 8th August 2009

The Fete du Lac is an annual event in Annecy, a celebration of summer and one of the biggest and best pyrotechnical displays going. The event takes place above the lake, usually on the first Saturday of every August. However because of the dates of the Tour de France in 2009, the Fete du Lac was moved to this weekend, Saturday August 8th.

The annual Fete du Lac began in 1860, to celebrate Savoie becoming part of France. The town of Annecy decided to put on an unforgettable display for Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie and the tradition stuck. Today the Fete du Lac is one of Europe's largest and most breathtaking pyrotechnic displays, with music, water jets and the surrounding mountains echoing back the booms of the fireworks. This year's theme is the travels of Marco Polo and it is definitely worth getting a seat if you haven't already experienced the event. Be warned, thousands of people come to Annecy to enjoy the display and it is worth finding out more about tickets and where to view on the official Annecy website.

To view our property for sale in the Annecy area, please visit our Buy Property page. Alternatively contact us to let us know more about your search and how we can locate your ideal property in the French Alps.

July events in the French Alps

Why not combine a property viewing trip with a visit to one of the many cultural and sporting events taking place in the Alps this summer? Highlights for the month of July include:

Annecy International Triathlon (5 July)

Competitors from around the world swim across the crystal clear waters of Lake Annecy, cycle in the beautiful Bauges National Park and run from the Imperial Palace hotel to the Pont des Amours (Lovers Bridge) through the centre of the town.

Musilac (10-12 July)
This annual music festival takes place on Lac du Bourget, close to the spa town of Aix-les-Bains. Acts this year include the Prodigy, Duffy and Franz Ferdinand.

Bastille Day (14 July)

Expect fireworks and celebrations across the area, as towns and villages across France celebrate their Fete Nationale.

Noctibules Festival (15-18 July)

A programme of exciting street theatre, taking place at night in the squares and alleyways of Old Annecy.

Tour de France (22-23 July)

The world's most famous cycle race arrives in Haute-Savoie on 22nd July, with a mountain stage between Bourg-St-Maurice and the ever-challenging Col de la Colombiere in Le Grand Bornand (Aravis Mountains). On the 23rd the Tour moves to Annecy for a time trial around the lake.

Evian Masters (23-26 July)

Some of the best golfers on the women's circuit arrive in Evian for the annual Masters event, including world number 1 Lorena Ochua. The competition takes place on the Evian Masters Golf Course, overlooking Lake Geneva.

Ascendant offer property for sale across the French Alps; to make a viewing appointment please contact us.

Geneva - Annecy motorway

Since December 2008 it’s become even easier to reach Annecy and the ski resorts of the Aravis Mountains from Geneva city centre and airport. The new Annecy - Geneva motorway opened in December 2008 and has cut the journey time from Annecy to Geneva to just 25 minutes by car.

The new route is a toll road and there is a charge of about 5 euros to use it, however if you are a regular commuter membership discounts are available. If you own a property or you are planning to purchase a property in the Annecy area or the nearby ski resorts of La Clusaz or Le Grand Bornand the new motorway makes a real difference to your journey times.

The new motorway also confirms Annecy and the Lake Annecy area as an excellent choice for those relocating to Geneva for work purposes. Annecy property offers much better value than Geneva and surrounding areas, as well as being one of the most beautiful towns in France. The quality of life here is fabulous, offering all the amenities of an affluent and vibrant town combined with the magnificent scenery of Lake Annecy and the surrounding mountains. The mountain resorts of La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand are just a 25 minute drive from Annecy and local inhabitants are able to enjoy swimming and watersports on the clean, clear waters of Lake Annecy as well as skiing, paragliding, hiking and climbing in the mountains.

If you plan a move to the area and you are considering a property purchase in Annecy or a ski property in La Clusaz or Le Grand Bornand, get in touch, we’d be delighted to advise you and help with your purchase.