Résidence les Gentianes, Lac d'Annecy - popular with Paragliders and Cyclists

Your accommodation is one of only 3 separately-designed apartments in our building that's ideally located in the village of Doussard, at the southern end of beautiful Lac d'Annecy in the Rhone-Alpes region of France.

We're very popular with paragliders because of our nearby location, and we've hosted pilots from UK, USA, Australia and Hong Kong. Lake Annecy is recognised as a world-class location for para-gliding, and several companies are based in Doussard because of the popular landing site behind the leisure centre.

Doussard is a great location also for cyclists, so close to the Piste Cyclable that runs north to Annecy and south to Ugine in Savoie; and the Tour de France often passes nearby. (We're not far from the finish of the penultimate stage of the centenary Tour de France and crowning of the "King of the Mountains", after there had been a time trial around the lake).

The lake itself is great for swimming in its crystal-clear water. We're only a few minutes from Doussard's grassy beach and the marina (and another paragliding landing site).

In winter, it's practical to go ski-ing at several ski stations that are drivable for the day; and of course we're convenient for Annecy itself where we often visit more than once in the same day!

Résidence les Gentianes is traditional Alpine style in a modern building, and we have a garage and a large balcony. We consider it our home from home, and reviews and comments we've received appreciate that we have equipped our property on that basis. We're on two levels, with the main bedroom (150cm bed) on the same level as the living/dining area including access onto the balcony, Bedroom 2 (140cm double bed) upstairs on the mezzanine and Bedroom 3 also upstairs, with two bunk-beds (90cm).

We have six bed-spaces, therefore, but we usually accept bookings only from families of up to 4. Find out more about the possibilities by clicking the button to "make an enquiry".

Don't ever click the "Reservation Request" (that's the bigger button beside the "Enquiry" button) as that means I'd have to accept or decline your request in 24 hours, and that sometimes isn't long enough to confirm that what we have is what you seek. It's a measure of our desire that you should have as perfect a visit as possible that we have that conversation, initially on-line via the Homeaway system. Instead, click "Ask Owner a Question", as sending an "enquiry" but not yet a "request"" provides that opportunity. I'll hold your preferred dates while we have that discussion, so there's no risk of you losing the booking.

Résidence les Gentianes is in a great location therefore, whether for a relaxing break or an activity holiday - in Annecy itself or for activities on and around the lake and its surrounding mountains. There's always something to do or to see, whether Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter. You can go swimming in the fresh, clear water of Lac'Annecy in summer, or try out paragliding. During the winter months we have visitors who go ski-ing at several ski-stations that are an easy drive from where we are, without having to be tied to a single ski resort; and if you want to take a break from ski-ing you can spend time exploring Annecy and around the lake - as well as further afield in Albertville, Grenoble, Geneva and even Italy via the Mt Blanc tunnel.

Cycling is popular all-year-round, and the Piste Cyclable that started as an innovative use of the old railway line from Annecy to Ugine, near Albertville, and is only a few minutes from Résidence les Gentianes, has been extended recently so that now you can ride almost entirely around much of the lake without having to share your space with other road users (except for quite short distances near Talloires and Menthon).

We're also ideally placed for sailing and fishing on the lake; walking in the hills; playing golf at three courses nearby; or simply relaxing with coffee or beer in the village or at the lakeside ...

I mentioned that Résidence les Gentianes is equipped to a very high standard, including a larger-than-usual balcony with a view to Mt Charbon.

The first level comprises a kitchen and living/dining area leading to the balcony; double bedroom 1 with 150cm bed and access to the balcony; bathroom (bath with shower), separate toilet and laundry. Two staircases lead from the living area to a mezzanine double bedroom (140cm bed - see photo) and to Bedroom 3 with two bunk beds.
We can accommodate 6, but we usually agree to enquiries from families of up to four. (Apologies for repeating that, but hopefully it answers the question we're asked most frequently - about who sleeps where!) We provide bedlinen and towels accordingly. We can also provide a travel cot (at no extra charge).

The balcony is big enough for family-dining outdoors during the warm weather. The apartment is designed in the traditional Alpine style including sloping ceilings and exposed beams. The kitchen area includes an oven/grill and hob, fridge with freezer compartment, microwave and lots of pots, pans and dishes if you want to make the most of all the fresh produce you can buy at nearby supermarkets and superstores.

We have TV with French and English-language channels (inc BBC, ITV etc by satellite), and wireless Internet access that's included in the rental (and is as fast as our fibre-optic connection in the UK!) There's our room we call the laundry with its washing machine and tumble-dryer; and in the basement we have our own garage.

Our location is ideal for more than the water sports, sun-bathing and swimming, base for ski-ing, para-gliding and cycling, that I've mentioned already. There are fantastic seasons on the lake, to see spectacular Spring and Autumn colours on the mountains, whether walking in the hills near Résidence les Gentianes or gazing at them from Bar des 4 Chemins in the village or from the lakeside itself. There are more photos on this site and I can send more (although some might only be accessible after booking because of VRBO's rules about not sharing contact details until after a booking has been confirmed). You can see Mont Blanc on a clear day from one of the golf courses nearby, or from the ski station above the lake where the centenary Tour de France final Alpine stage finished.

During October, on a Saturday around the 12th, there's an amazing day of music, activities and market stalls to celebrate the "Retour des Alpage", when cattle and other farm animals return from grazing on the higher mountains slopes to spend the winter in the more benign surroundings of the lake. During December, Annecy's Christmas market is very popular, set along the canals that feature in the iconic photos you see in travel features about the region; and there's Noel des Alpes to enjoy until early January.

We love to visit throughout the year ... and being in Doussard itself is just so convenient. (I say that because we are in Doussard, and not in one of the surrounding villages that sometimes are described as being in Doussard but actually aren't, meaning you'll need to drive into Doussard for our amenities). We have the supermarket, boulangerie, bank, post office and Bar des 4 Chemins and its delicious lunches - all without needing to take the car!

More specifics follow ... and as I've mentioned, we have our own website including travel details etc.

If you are interested, however, please don't click "Request Booking" just yet as that will need your credit card details (I think) and certainly will demand that I need to accept or decline in 24 hours - and that might not be possible, for example if I'm away. If you simply click "Ask Owner a Question" that will send me an "Enquiry" and I promise to get back to you within a few hours. We can agree whether "what we have" is "what you're looking for" and hopefully proceed to confirm your visit ... .

Also, please note that during the summer months in particular visits are from Saturday-Saturday, unless you wish to visit for more than a week when we can discuss the details. Mid-week arrivals are possible, and dates can be more flexible outside the peak holiday season, but Sunday arrivals, whatever the season, are possible only if our previous visitors have left by the Friday or Saturday, so we have time to prepare properly for your arrival.

We've had visitors from UK, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, Canada, USA, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Singapore, S Africa, Sweden and Switzerland. Several British, French and Dutch families have visited 2 or 3 times; and two families have visited 5 times!

We hope we might hear from you, and that we might make you very welcome ... .