Annecy to Thones: Land of Parapentes and Reblochon
Somehow, we both slept last night over the noise of the road outside and the cracking of thunder and lightning and pouring rain. By morning, the sun was out and the air was noticeably lighter. We set off along the cycle path after a light petit dejeuner for the south end of Lake Annecy.
Lake Annecy cycle path is well used and in excellent condition, though the number of users diminishes as you get further away from Annecy.
Along the way, we watched the paragliders sail overhead from the massif next to the lake. We stopped at the petit village of St. Ferreol to replenish our water from the eau potable town tap and then we began our ride up the Col du Marais.
View across Lake Annecy where parapenters we taking off from the high peaks.
Col du Marais a small summit in the valley to the east of Annecy that wound through hardwood forests and into a more alpine area where cattle roamed the meadows on the hillsides and the houses have a distinctly Savoie look.
Alpine lifestyle here centers on raising cattle for their milk, though the cows aren't in this photo. Their constantly jingling bells told of their whereabouts.
After the summit, we cruised down to the town of Thones, which is a gateway to a huge recreational area in the alps. Le Grande Bournon massif is close by and from what we can see, it's a nordic skiing hotbed here in winter. Summer is for ultra running, via ferrata (scaling a rock face while clipped into a permanent line), rock climbing, cycling, VTT (mountain biking), hiking, and white water spots. It also has a history in the Resistance and there is a large hilltop memorial nearby. We were booked into a small hotel at the edge of town.
St. Maurice Church in Thônes with its onion bulb clock tower.
As we prepared to head for a local creperie for dinner the sky cracked open and the thunder and light show began. We borrowed a parapluie and made a dash for the restaurant. We both had a breton crepe with a savoie twist: potatoes, reblochon, and chicken. It was delicious but mighty filling. Afterwards, we headed back to our room and bid goodnight to the sheep in the little house on the hill.
Breton crepe with potato, chicken and reblochon cheese, accompanied by a Savoie white wine.
