During your vacation in Haute Savoie, we recommend a visit to Annecy’s Pont des Amours. A must-see for lovers, it is a pedestrian iron footbridge with a breathtaking view over the lake, forming with the Thiou one of the two entrances to the city from Lake Annecy.
The history of Annecy’s Pont des Amours
On vacation, we like to relax, but we also like to take advantage of our stay to learn a little more about the historic places that surround us. Annecy is famous for its lake, its old town and its château, but also for a must-see for lovers: the Pont des Amours. The idea of a bridge across the canal was first sketched out in 1836.
In 1845, the first wooden footbridge was built for the visit of King Charles-Albert of Savoy. In 1859, the public garden footbridge (officially known as the Pont des Amours) was rebuilt, this time in cast iron. The three-arched bridge, however, impeded boat traffic and was eventually dismantled. It wasn’t until 1907 that the structure that can still be seen today in the center of Annecy was built. The iron structure was designedby Charles Galleto.
Annecy’s Pont des Amours, a romantic spot not to be missed
Be sure to visit the Pont des Amours d’Annecy during your trip to the Alps region, and even on a day trip to Annecy, it’s one of the city’s must-see monuments. Situated between the Pâquier and the Jardins de l’Europe, the footbridge offers a privileged view of the lake. France and Lake Annecy have nothing to envy Geneva and its Lake Geneva, this treasure of nature offering visitors and especially lovers an idyllic setting and magnificent panorama.
From the Jardins de l’Europe, head for the footbridge and cross it to reach a lively square that’s particularly popular with Annecy’s residents: the Pâquier. This esplanade is a popular place of pleasure for residents and visitors alike. Not far from the Pont des Amours, you’ll find plenty of places to visit that you won’t want to forget on your vacation: the Ile des Cygnes, the town hall, the churches of Saint François de Sales and Saint Maurice, and all the charm of the local villages, which can still be found in some of the town’s ancient monuments. If you want to get away from the city center, you can also make a detour to Annecy le Vieux.
By day or by night, let yourself be seduced by the charm of the Canal, and don’t miss out on some romantic photos. You may not know it yet, but the Pont des Amours is one of the most photographed spots in the city! Because it’s always happier to know what you’re photographing, we’d like to share with you the legend of the Pont des Amours! The legend has it that two lovers who kissed in the middle of the bridge were later united for life. From then on, the bridge has been a must for local lovers and visitors alike. It’s also said that the bridge’s name derives from its former use as a meeting place for prostitutes.
Getting to Annecy’s Pont des Amours
A successful vacation is one that’s well planned in advance, with the right scouting to help you get the most out of your visit once you’ve left the Annecy campsites. To visit Annecy’s Pont des Amours, you first need to locate it. It’s on the edge of the lake, next to the town center, the Pâquier and, more specifically, the Jardins de l’Europe. You’ll also find it close to the Hotel de Ville, a good reference point for your exploration.
This bridge, which is accessible free of charge at all times, is close to your Annecy campsite. Leave the star-studded services of CampingsAnnecy for the day and take the road to the Pont des Amours. From the campsite, take the D1508 road along the shores of Lake Annecy, and head up towards the town center. You’ll reach the bridge in less than 30 minutes, or just 17km.