Haute-Savoie

Haute-Savoie (English: "Upper Savoy") is a French department, named for its location in the Alps mountain range. Haute Savoie is located in the Rhone-Alpes region bordering departments of Ain and Savoie but also bordered by Italy and Switzerland where Geneva is the closest major town with an international airport. In Haute-Savoie is Mont-Blanc, Lake Annecy and of course Lake Geneva. It was annexed to France in 1860, with the Savoie. The landscape is wild, rugged and beautiful.

Haute-Savoie is one of two departments of the region of Savoy that was annexed by France on March 24, 1860, the other being Savoie. For its history prior to 1860, and details of the annexation and reasons for the current separatist movement in the two departments.

Mont Blanc and Lake Annecy are located in Haute-Savoie. To the North, Haute-Savoie borders on Switzerland, with Geneva as the closest major town, and Lake Geneva. The town of Évian-les-Bains is the most famous town on the French shore of Lake Geneva, well-known around the world for its mineral water Evian.

To the east, Haute-Savoie borders Italy and to the west the department of Ain.

• The area is famous for the entrance to the Mont Blanc Tunnel to Italy and is also home to Chamonix and other notable ski resorts. • The first Winter Olympic Games was held in Chamonix from January 25 to February 5, 1924.

Haute-Savoie is famous for its Mont Blanc Tunnel that goes to Italy but also for its wonderful ski resort such as Chamonix where the first Winter Olympic Games were held in 1924. The pretty town is popular during the winter but also during the summer for walkers, climbers, paraglider and generally outdoor people. From here is the departure for the Aiguille du midi with one of the longest cable car rides in the world and the famous glacier Mer de Glace with breath-taking views. Lake Annecy got its name from the city of Annecy which is very attractive and has some wonderful views on clear days. Annecy is a very beautiful city with Savoyard style houses and represents an authentic alpine city through its traditional property styles mixing houses with chalets and apartments and is not purpose built for tourists unlike some villages or towns in the area. Evian les Bains and Thonon les Bains are both spa towns offering various treatments such as massages and hydrotherapy. The town of Évian-les-Bains is well-known around the world for its mineral water Evian and near Evian is the tiny village of Yvoire, another watery site with a medieval fortified village and a chateau from the 14th century.

Haute Savoie also has wonderful ski resorts with ski villages such as Morzine and Avoriaz in the domain Portes du Soleil shared with Switzerland. Those villages provide world-class skiing facilities but also a relaxing time in a wonderful landscape during the summer.