MANCHESTER UNITED V CHELSEA IN ANNECY, RHÔNE-ALPES by Brian Franklin

Something’s just don’t get much better than this!

Watching Manchester United win the 2008 European Cup in one of the most beautiful locations in France, along with good friends to enjoy the brilliance of the game whilst eating wholesome French food in the great atmosphere of a ‘mock-up’ Irish pub in Vieux Annecy, was fantastic!

Of course, coping with the high tension on the field was mind-blowing, but helped by the consumption of copious pichets of red wine,(with apologies and commiserations to Chelsea, and their fans) highly appropriate when supporting the ‘Reds’!

United’s triumph comes acceptably enough following a very successful season, and as an incredible celebration and achievement to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Munich air disaster, honouring those players of the past. Bobby Charlton was in his element afterwards, and thoroughly deserved this remarkable experience.

Victory was also a milestone for Ryan Giggs who came on to replace Scholes in the closing minutes to surpass Bobby Charlton’s appearance record for the club, as well as scoring a very important penalty in the shoot-out.

So there we have it, Manchester United become European Champions for the third time in their history.

Yes, I know it really all happened in Moscow, but not for me and my friends, Clare and Dale, who I met up with in Annecy for the magical experience. They were enjoying a weeks holiday in Annecy, so I drove over from the Roannais (no more than 2½ hours easy drive down the French auto-route).

Voila! I am here!

I’ve visited Annecy twice before with my wife, Lucy, and family. It is a superb place.

Picturesque, with incredible, beautiful views of the lake. The old medieval town (Vieux Annecy) has a great  atmosphere, and is obviously a magnet for tourists. But Annecy has style, it is known as the Venice of the Alpes due to its canals which run through the old town, and adds to its romantic ambience.

It has a cosmopolitan ‘feel’, too, along with contemporary shops, and a highly developed, and growing, business centre.

As you may expect, property in Annecy is expensive (akin to Geneva, only 22 miles away).

It is to be expected, particularly with property in the old quarter, and around the lake’s edge.

Annecy is a city in the Rhone-Alpes region of east central France, on the shores of Lake Annecy. A municipality in the Haute-Savoie département.

Visit the website of ‘Wikipedia’ for more details of Annecy’s history, geography, economy, and culture.

There is certainly much to see in the way of historical buildings, museums, archeaology, and art.

In fact, an unusual learning experience awaits you at three national heritage sites.

At the Chateau, former residence of the Counts of Geneva (until 1394), and which became a museum in 1957, be amazed by the diverse collections, including a rich collection of contemporary art.

Every year Annecy is host to the ‘International Animated Film Festival’.

Just a stone’s throw from the chateau, at Citia exposition, delve into the magic of singular collections related to animated film, where marionettes, mock-ups, celluloid and story-boards bear witness to 100 years of history and creation in the art of moving images.

At the Palais de l’ille, a medieval fortress/residence -turned prison erected like a battle ship on the ile du Thiou, release the moorings and set sail for an emotional discovery of the metropolitan area of Annecy, between lake and mountain, between town and country.

Alternatively, particularly after your visits of culture, just chill out with a glass of cool beer or wine in the many bars and cafes along the canal side, or take a picnic to the lakeside park and have a shady sieste beneath the trees.

Or, like us, hire a motor boat for an hour and go for a ride up the lake in the sunshine, with the cool breeze in your face, and the fresh mountain air energising your senses.

It’s a must!!

Yes, of course, there is plenty more to do and see than I have just outlined above, so go and visit.

Enjoy!

www.annecy.fr

www.annecy.org