24 hours in Annecy will not do it justice at all. We spent two nights this past September and hardly skimmed the surface. We drove from the south and dropped off our car after touring the area. We also took the TGV to Paris.

The 'perfect' hotel is the one that Linda & Don recommended, Palais de L'Isle. The location is superb, right in the heart of old Annecy. For a few additional Euros, request the superior twin including breakfast. The room was extremely spacious and served us very well. Parking however is a pain and if you are arriving by car, get rid of it as soon as you arrive. We kept ours for the first day in order to drive into the Alps which, by the way, were spectacular.

A few suggestions:

Excellent prepared food shop - Pauvert - just ask anyone where it is

Superb dinner - L'Atelier Gourmand - just across the bridge from the hotel. Quiet & elegant with a devoted staff and worthy of it's 1* Michelin rating. The food and service were superb. Highly recommended.

For local specialities including Tartiflette, we had dinner at Le Chateau Savoyard which consisted of potatoes & cream, more potatoes served with potatoes and some ham thrown in for colour topped with cream. Our arteries threatened to shut tight. We were not impressed with the 'local cuisine' but if it is what you want, this is as good a place as any to try it.

But the highlight of our time in Annecy was spent driving towards Col Leschaux to view the Montagne du Semnoz range on D10, stopping by the side of the road, laying our picnic blanket in a meadow overlooking Lac Annecy with the mountain range in the background, eating the most wonderful picnic with food bought at Pauvert including wine. It doesn't get much better than this.

The market days are Tuesday, Friday & Sunday. All the little alleyways and bridges will be filled to the brim with everything typical of a French market. Quite delightful.

If you can add one day to your time in this area, I think you will have a better opportunity to at least get the flavour.

Enjoy

Felice Toronto, Ontario where the temperature tomorrow will be colder than my freezer