Annecy

The canal and the Old Town of Annecy, with pedestrian streets
lined with cafes and ice-cream shops - none of which we entered.

What a romantic location...

We had heard so many great things about Annecy, and it is one town we knew we wanted to visit before we ever came to France. The long awaited day arrived yesterday, and it was only afterwards that I realised that those people who waxed lyrical about wandering through the streets of the old town, or strolling along the shore of the lake, had not done it with four little kids in tow.
So Annecy remains on my list, as one of the places I would like to visit one day "sans enfants".

The Annecy we visited was very much geared towards tourism. Boat rides on the lake, boats for hire, restaurant boats, peddle boats, have your portrait painted, rides for kids and that sort of thing. Also lots of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops. But the huge grassed area was great for kids to run and play, for picnics, and no doubt for the festival that will be held there on 2 August. There were already big tiered seating things being put together ready for it, and I have heard that the fireworks show is something to see.

We did as good tourists do and took a boat ride on the lake. It was a little windy, and the lake a little choppy, so we had a few splashes of spray, especially once we headed back in. But it looks like the camera handled it :) The kids enjoyed racing the "horsies" which are little pedal horses with sulkies.
Here are some happy-smiley pictures of the day.

Riding the horsies...

Absolutely D-E-L-I-C-IOUS icecream

The best French playground we have seen so far

Sophie at the wheel

Bonnie cruising on the lake