Venetian Carnival in Annecy © Geneva Family Diaries

Venetian Charm in Annecy

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My little muffins’ favourite activity at the moment is dressing-up, and I can tell you it’s not always easy to cook dinner when you’re being ambushed in every corner by Spiderman, Buzz Lightyear and an unusually short Vader.

The good news is that February is Carnival time in Europe and Switzerland, so the little monsters will be able to indulge their newfound passion in the open and scare the pants of people other than their boring old mum.

One of the most striking Carnival celebrations we’ve visited in this area is the Venetian Carnival in Annecy (France), which this year takes place on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th of February 2013.

© Geneva Family Diaries

 

© Geneva Family Diaries

 

Annecy is located just 35 km south of Geneva and is well worth a visit. This charming ville fleurie is known, befittingly, as the Venice of the Alps and therefore it’s the perfect setting to take a step back in time and celebrate carnival in true Venetian style.

Hundreds of magnificent masks will stroll through the well-preserved medieval quarters of the old town, which unfold through a series of arcaded streets and intricate canals, shaded by bridges overflowing with brightly coloured geraniums.

Photographing them all becomes an irresistible temptation, as you can tell by the amount of photos I have attached to this post…

© Geneva Family Diaries

 

© Geneva Family Diaries

 

Annecy is also great for shopping and has some great restaurants too, so if you haven’t visited yet make sure you do.

Don’t forget to try some of the typical French pastries that are usually eaten for Carnival, such as oreillettes (crispy fried biscuits dusted with icing sugar) or beignets de Carnaval (small balls of deep fried dough, similar to that of a doughnut, dusted with granulated sugar). Bon Appétit!

 

Carnaval vénitien d’Annecy: 23rd-24th February 2013 in the streets of Annecy’s old town, the Pâquier and a podium in the jardins de l’Europe. From 10am.

© Geneva Family Diaries

 

 

© Geneva Family Diaries

 

 

© Geneva Family Diaries

 

 

 

 

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6 comments
  1. Thank you so much for this tip. We went out to Annecy last Saturday aftert reading your recommendation. It was freezing cold, but really worthwhile. We wondered around town the whole day and loved it. The Costumes are amazing, the town wonderful and together it makes the perfect day out.
    Everybody who missed it should diarize for next year!

    1. Dear Eva, thank you so much for your kind feedback ! I am very glad you enjoyed the venetian carnival, yes the weather this year wasn’t great but dates change every year – last year for instance the carnival took place in March so fingers crossed for 2014 !
      Thank you so much for leaving your comment, it’s so encouraging to hear from our readers and find out if they’ve anjoyed our recommendations, so thank you again. Kindest regards, Michela

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