Annecy

Located on the Annecy lake, this picturesque French town in Haute-Savoie definitely shows off its alpine roots. It is, after all, very close to the Alps, Switzerland, and Italy. It's a small city (around 50,000 people) whose history begins in the 10th century, and has always been linked to Geneva. It's been part of the Savoie house since 1401.

For many years, Annency was the home of the Geneva bishopric, and of the Catholic orders which fled to the city during the Reformation, making Annency home of the Counterreformation, led by Francis de Sales who founded the Salesian sect.

Annecy's main attractions are the gorgeous lake and city center which houses many medieval relics and charming canals. There are also historic monuments like the Island Palace, which dates to the 12th century, the Cathedral of St. Peter, Sante-Claire and Royale streets, and the Annecy History Museum located in the old mint.

This is an extremely romantic city. It's also where my husband proposed to me. This small, beautiful city is full of cafes, restaurants, and shops and it's a place I've visited so many times that I've lost count (although I'd go back 1000 times more!).

I'd recommend it for couples looking for a romantic retreat. My advice is to see Annecy on foot, exploring both the old and modern quarters. The old quarter is my favorite, with its narrow streets, cute cafes, and all kinds of shops for all kinds of tastes. There's a pretty castle and church as well, where you can see the whole town and the lake,

Annecy is sometimes called "France's Little Venice" since the old town is surrounded by water coming off the stunning mountain lake. You can also rent boats.