Winter in the mountains is the peak meeting season. But in summer, the mountains reserve other marvels at human altitude: lakes with turquoise waters on which it is good to sail and stop over. The two Savoyard departments have four. In Haute-Savoie, Lake Geneva, the largest lake in Europe, shared between France and Switzerland, and Lake Annecy, the purest of all. In Savoy, the Bourget lake, the largest natural lake in France, and the Aiguebelette lake, the smallest, wildest and least known.
Also read: 5 winter activities for a sports weekend at Lake Annecy
Talloires, on Lake Annecy. Erik Sampers - Le Figaro Magazine
These four freshwater mirrors sparkle in the beautiful book Vue sur Lacs, Architecture and Heritage in Savoie Mont-Blanc. Neither tourist guide, nor precise architecture, nor history book either, but a little of all this, this atypical work is a ride inspired by the favorites of the author, Marie-Christine Hugonot, and her passion for the region. "This Prévert-style inventory does not claim to be exhaustive, " she insists. It's a personal selection. ”
Tracks for the holidays
At the time of the holidays, his choices are so many tracks to discover the four Savoyard lake universes. As a preamble, the author also advises to “let yourself be led by boat” - “the tastiest '' appetizer '' there is to have a first overview of the nuggets of each of the lakes” -, recalls the different types of boats that ply the lakes and the names of the cruise lines that operate there.
The Royal Club Evian, view of Lake Geneva. Bernhard Winkelmann - Madame Figaro
Entitled "Reinventing Heritage", the first chapter of this bookish odyssey, a reference to remarkable sites, places and buildings to see and visit. It is a mixture of classic stages, such as Hautecombe Abbey on Lake Bourget, Menthon-Saint-Bernard Castle on Lake Annecy or the Royal Evian Hotel, a palace on the French shore of the Léman - and modern stops. Like the ultra-contemporary, ecological and high tech Maison du lac, which tells the story of Lake Aiguebelette and its environment.
Or, on the shore of Lake Annecy, this astonishing Mont-Veyrier Cable Car, built in 1934 and now retired but superbly rehabilitated a few years ago in the media library of remembrance with a number of films by pros and amateurs made since 1907 in the region. Fun, interesting and, for the elderly, nostalgic.
The art of living and creating
On Lac du Bourget, Hautecombe Abbey. Annie Barbaccia - Le Figaro
As its name suggests, the second chapter, "Artists, craftsmen & designers", gives pride of place to creation of all kinds: cooking, garden, photography, theater, sculpture, painting, mosaic, restoration of paintings ... All these workshops can be visited, freely or by appointment. Special mention to Ars Sonora, the “monumental sound sculpture” department of the very old Paccard bell foundry, in Sevrier, on Lake Annecy. These musical sculptures, you may have seen them on the places and snow fronts of mountain resorts. Latest, that of Châtel (Haute-Savoie), inaugurated in summer 2019.
Also read: 48 hours in Annecy, heading for the Venice of the Alps for a breath of fresh air
The third and last chapter, "Private tours" , opens the doors of private houses built on the banks of the lakes. These, of course, cannot be visited. But thanks to the photos and the presentation texts, we will be able to spot them more easily when navigating. And to find in the book, the answer this eternal question when one passes in front of a sumptuous abode: "How is it inside?".
View of lakes, Architecture and heritage in Savoie Mont-Blanc , by Marie-Christine Hugonot, Glénat, € 30.
