Page 388 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - France

21 some of the most spec tacular
panoramic views of Mont
Annecy Blanc and the peaks of
the surrounding Alps.
! F5 ⌂ Haute-Savoie
~ £ @ n 1 rue Jean Jaurès;
www.lac-annecy.com
22
Annecy is one of the most Pérouges Grey-crowned cranes
charming towns in the Alps,
EXPERIENCE The Rhône Valley and French Alps canals, flower-covered bridges Pérouges is a fortified hilltop of Bourg-en-Bresse is dotted
set at the northern tip of Lac
! F5 ⌂ Ain £ Meximieux-
d’Annecy and surrounded by
Pérouges @ n Route de la
snowcapped mountains. Its
cité; www.perouges.org
medieval quarter is laced with
found roaming around
and arcaded streets. Strolling
Villars-les-Dombes
village of medieval houses and
around is the main attraction
cobblestone streets. In the 13th
here, though there are a couple century it was a centre of linen-
weaving, but with the mechan-
of sights worth having a look
with small hills, ponds and
at more closely: the formidable ization of the industry in the
19th century, the local popula-
marshes, making it particu-
Palais de l’Isle, a 12th-century
larly popular with anglers and
tion fell from 1,500 to 90.
prison in the middle of the
Thiou canal; and the turreted
Restoration of its buildings
bird-watchers. In the middle
of the area, at Villars-les-
and an influx of crafts people
Château d’Annecy, set high on
a hill above with impressive
Pérouges. The village has
views of Vieil Annecy and the
and botanical park, the Parc
been used as the setting for
crystal-clear lake beyond.
des Oiseaux. Over 300 species
The best spot for swimming
historical dramas such as The
of native and exotic birds live
here, free to roam in their
Three Musketeers and Monsieur
and water sports is at the have breathed new life into Dombes, is an ornithological
eastern end of the avenue Vincent. The main square, place natural habitats, including
d’Albigny near the Imperial de la Halle, is shaded by a huge tufted herons, vultures, and
Palace hotel, while boat trips lime tree planted in 1792 to pink flamingoes, as well as
leave from quai Napoléon III. honour the Revolution. emus and ostriches.
One of the best ways to
enjoy the area’s breathtaking
scenery is to take a boat from 23
Annecy to Talloires, a tiny Did You Know?
lakeside village celebrated The Dombes
for its hotels and restaurants. ! F4 ⌂ Ain k Lyon Created for fish-
Facing Talloires across the £ Lyon, Villars-les-Dombes, breeding, some of the
lake is the 15th-century Bourg-en-Bresse @ Villars- rain water ponds in the
Château de Duingt (not open les-Dombes (from Bourg- Dombes date from the
to visitors). On the west bank en-Bresse) n 3 pl de 15th century.
of the lake stands the Semnoz Hôtel de Ville, Villars-les-
mountain and Dombes; www.dombes-
its summit, tourisme.com
the Crêt de
Châtillon, This flat, glacier-gouged
offers plateau is located south
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