Lake Annecy From 6000ft

Have you ever looked down at 6000ft to see nothing but your bare legs and your favourite chucks?

I have.

And it’s an experience I will never, ever forget.

Léa: "Allez, nous allons faire du parapente"
Me: "QUOI?"

Pretty much that was my best friend telling me we’re going paragliding… followed by my appropriate reaction!

I’m lucky enough to have a best friend who lives in one of the most beautiful places in the world: Annecy, France.

Annecy is a small, but very popular town nestled high into the French Alps, about 30 minutes drive from Charmonix and Mont Blanc. The old town is something out of a dream, and an absolute must visit if you’re going traveling around France. Turn away from the old town and you have Lake Annecy, which is one of the most stunning lakes I’ve ever seen and thats coming from a girl who grew up in British Columbia, Canada! The water is a shade of blue that needs its own word to define it!

The first time I saw the lake with the surrounding mountains I felt like my eyes where starving to take everything in all at once, I couldn’t get enough. My friends kept laughing at me, and telling me I had a dumb smile on my face. That is the kind of beauty this place has… the smile, you’re in heavan kind of beauty.

There really is no bad views in Annecy or the surrounding area, its all stunning. The best view of the whole trip though… most definitely from 6000ft.

Truly spectacular.

Annecy, and the surroundin area is not only one of the global hubs for practicing wind sports, it’s also the birth place of paragliding. Which is no surprise when you see the stunning peaks and flourescent waters!

The flight itself wasn’t as scary as I had anticipated. The upcurrents where great and our take-off from the side of the mountain was flawless. We literally floated into the sky as the wind took our sail up. Typically the cost of the trip is 90 Euros for a 20 minute trip, of course with strong upcurrents the 20 minutes can quickly turn into 30 or 40, which is what happened with us, no complaints here! Just don’t schedule a lunch at La Poisson Rouge right after.

As you soar upwards everything starts to look like those miniture worlds model train enthusiasts like to make, the trees become individual points and all the roads turn into little lines creatively swirling their way through the french countryside. Not like

everything changes when you’re up in a plane though, there’s a quiet stillness to it, a slow and smooth transition that allows you to take in every detail around you as it changes with the altitude.

We slowly floated our way over La Tournette, one of the bigger hiking peaks in the area, and les Dens de Lanfon which are big limestone slabs that stick up into the air like teeth around the lake. Time stood still while we were in the air, it was one of the most magical experiences of my life.

The descent was a little scary, though please note: I get motion sick on the ferris wheel and don’t like when I’m not in control of my situation… And I was certainly not in control! My guide was fantastic though, very professional and understand my need for a gentle descent. Regardless, I was on my knees hanging onto the grass by the time the up-currents released us back to earth!

A beautiful ride in the middle of July, it wasn’t cold… no, not even at 6000ft. The hot air currents kept me warm in my shorts and long sleeve. The typical paragliding season in Annecy is long, but the best months are between March and early October, though I would personally recomend going mid-summer so you can fully enjoy the warm air on your skin and a fantastic dunk in the lake afterwards!

There are many different paragliding companies that will take you up, though I reccomend booking at least a week in advance in the summer months. As is anything that relies on nature the time that you book is fully weather dependant and subject to change.

My best advice, be adaptable, don’t plan much the same day, and enjoy the ride!

Next stop…

Belgium!

Love,

MW

xox