Vieille Ville, Medieval district in Annecy, France.
The Old Town of Annecy is a medieval district where narrow, winding streets pass stone buildings with colorful shutters, old arcades, and canals spanned by stone bridges. The buildings cluster tightly together, forming a maze-like network that developed along the Thiou River.
The district grew around the Counts of Geneva Castle in the 13th century and became an important trading and craft center along the Thiou riverbanks. This early settlement turned it into the city's economic hub and shaped the way it looks today.
The arcades and narrow streets hold art galleries, craft shops, and restaurants where regional specialties and traditional Savoyard food are still prepared and served. Residents and business owners keep these local traditions alive, using the old spaces in ways that reflect their regional identity.
Explore the district on foot, as the streets are too narrow for cars and most areas are pedestrian zones. The flat terrain makes walking easy, and you can see all the main spots and corners in just a few hours.
The Palais de l'Isle, a 12th-century building with a ship-like shape, sits on a small island in the middle of the Thiou canal. This unusual design existed because the building once served as a prison and later as an administrative seat, and its long, narrow form made it accessible from all sides.
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