Lake Annecy: The Palais de l'Isle, the Lake Railway Path and the Forclaz
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
Badge Unlock
Forclaz Flyer
Complete this challenge to add this badge to your collection.
275
XP
+100 France
= 375 total
2 days
Lake Annecy: The Palais de l'Isle, the Lake Railway Path and the Forclaz
275 + 100 XP
Annecy's 12th-century Palais de l'Isle sits on an island in the Thiou, the river that runs through the old town in canals, and was a prison until the Revolution and again in the Second World War. A 33km greenway follows the old Annecy-Albertville railway down the western shore, and above the eastern shore the Col de la Forclaz at 1,147m is a free-flight site that has held Paragliding World Cup rounds and the 2016 FAI world acro championships.
Required Activities
1
of 4
Walk the canals of the old town to the Palais de l'Isle, the 12th-century strong-house on its island in the Thiou that held the counts' prison until the Revolution and served as a prison again in the Second World War; inside, find the three floors of cells along the small arm of the river, the triangular chapel with its latrine turret, and the glazed arcade of the banc du droit where proclamations were read
2
of 4
Climb to the Chateau d'Annecy, where the Counts of Geneva settled in 1219 and from where they ran the lordship and the prison down on the island, and from its terrace pick out the Palais de l'Isle and the single crossing of the Thiou it was built to control
3
of 4
Cycle the voie verte down the western shore, 33km on its own right of way on the bed of the old single-track Annecy-Albertville railway, and find the old level-crossing keeper's house still standing where the Doussard road meets the main road
4
of 4
Drive up to the Col de la Forclaz at 1,147m above Talloires for the view over the lake, and take a tandem paraglide with a qualified pilot
Walk the canals of the old town to the Palais de l'Isle, the 12th-century strong-house on its island in the Thiou that held the counts' prison until the Revolution and served as a prison again in the Second World War; inside, find the three floors of cells along the small arm of the river, the triangular chapel with its latrine turret, and the glazed arcade of the banc du droit where proclamations were read
Climb to the Chateau d'Annecy, where the Counts of Geneva settled in 1219 and from where they ran the lordship and the prison down on the island, and from its terrace pick out the Palais de l'Isle and the single crossing of the Thiou it was built to control
Cycle the voie verte down the western shore, 33km on its own right of way on the bed of the old single-track Annecy-Albertville railway, and find the old level-crossing keeper's house still standing where the Doussard road meets the main road
Drive up to the Col de la Forclaz at 1,147m above Talloires for the view over the lake, and take a tandem paraglide with a qualified pilot
Before you go
A tandem paraglide must be booked with a school and only flies in the right wind - allow a spare day and expect it to be called off at short notice.
The climb to the Forclaz from Talloires is a first-category Tour de France col: steep, narrow and with tight hairpins. It is not a road to take a long motorhome up in high season, and the col car park fills with pilots and spectators.
The voie verte is shared with walkers, runners and pushchairs and is very busy from Annecy to Sevrier on summer afternoons.
Tandem paragliding off the Col de la Forclaz is an April-to-October business, best from May, so the flight is not on in winter. The col road itself is under Loi Montagne II from 1 November to 31 March — winter tyres or chains are compulsory, chains are advised for the last pull to the col, and the road can be closed outright after snow.
Finding nearby campsites...
About Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Loading region info…
Explore more about Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes:
Challenge Location
XP Breakdown
Challenge XP
275 XP
France country bonus
+100 XP
Potential total
375 XP
Country bonus earned on completion of your first challenge in France.
More challenges nearby
within 100km
The Château de Menthon: The Castle Above Lake Annecy
France · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
history
easy
1d
7 km away
The Aravis: Reblochon and the Two Cols
France · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
food
easy
1d
24 km away
Grand Colombier: One of the Hardest Climbs in France, and the Jura's First Hors Catégorie
France · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
sports
hard
1d
28 km away
The Salève: The Balcony of Geneva
France · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
scenic
easy
1d
28 km away
Aix-les-Bains and Lac du Bourget: Spa Town and Royal Abbey
France · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
wellness
easy
2d
29 km away
Geneva Watchmaking Heritage Tour
Switzerland · Lake Geneva Region
cultural
easy
2d
34 km away