ANNECY, a chief town of the department of Haute Savoie, France. Pop. (1931) 17,444. It is situated at a height of I,47oft., amid fine scenery under the Cret du Maure at the north end of the Lake of Annecy, 25m. by rail N.E. of Aix-les-Bains. Annecy was in the loth century the capital of the counts of the Genevois, from whom it passed in 140I to the counts of Savoy, becoming French in 186o on the annexation of Savoy. The town, with its arcaded streets, is intersected by canals, and contains a 16th century cathedral church, an i8th century bishop's palace, and 14th-16th century castle (formerly the residence of the counts of the Genevois), and the reconstructed convent of the Visitation (19th century), which contains the body of St. Francois de Sales, born at Sales, close by, who held the see from 1602-22. The bishop's see of Geneva was transferred hither in 1535, after the reformation, but suppressed in i8oi, though revived in 1822. Linen and cotton goods, chocolate, leather, paper and small me chanical fittings are made ; and a bell foundry at Annecy-le-Vieux is celebrated. This last-named place existed in Roman times.
The lake of Annecy, about 9m. by 2m., is I,465ft. above sea level. It discharges, by means of the Thioux canal, into the Fier, which flows through remarkable gorges cut in the soft local sand stone, west of the town, to join the Rhone.