The Jardins de l’Europe is a picturesque set of gardens providing excellent views of Lake Annecy. A network of walking paths meet at the heart of the park, which has a canal, monuments and a variety of trees. Visit the Jardins de l’Europe to relax on one of the many benches dotted along the side of the lake and Le Vassé canal and enjoy the spectacular vistas.
Stroll along the shore of the lake and inspect the various boats harbored here. As you make your way along the wooden piers, listen to the quacks of the ducks and other water birds that share these waters with the vessels. Wander between the various trees, whose specimens include giant redwoods and ginkgo biloba.
Relax with a book or sunbathe on an open patch of grass. Capture photos or draw images of Île des Cygnes (Island of Swans), which shelters countless birds.
At the northern end of the park, find the iconic Amours Bridge. Arrive with your lover and test the theory that couples who kiss at the center of the iron bridge will stay together forever. With your relationship secure, inspect the impressive statue of Claude Louis Berthollet, an 18th-century French scientist and vice president of the French Senate.
Consider the intriguing history of this park, which stands on a former swampy island that lay outside the old city walls. The gardens were carved in 1863, several hundred years after the area had been used to isolate contagious plague victims. Today, it is always open to the public and has no admission fee.
Find the Jardins de l’Europe overlooking Lake Annecy at the eastern end of the town. Travel by bus to a stop on the avenue marking the park’s western boundary. Explore the intriguing surroundings for some of the town’s brightest treasures, from the Amours Bridge and the Pâquier Esplanade to the Église Saint Maurice and the Palais de l’Île.
