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A smartphone displaying a travel app with a scenic view of a narrow waterway flanked by historic buildings and a mountain in the background. 1
A lakeside park with benches, a lamp post, and a mountain backdrop. 2
A calm river with boats docked, a stone bridge, and a mountainous backdrop. 3
A calm river with boats, a bridge, trees, and a bench along the riverbank. 4
A historic stone building with a tower, surrounded by greenery and a body of water in the background. 5
By Red Thread
Free cancellation available
The previous price was P 432 and current price is P 345 per adult
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 1h 40m
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Multiple languages

Overview

  • Discover the incredible, hidden story of Lac d'Annecy. Today, it sparkles as Europe's cleanest lake, but in the 1950s, it was a dying, foul-smelling biological dead zone. Join an urban planner and a local environmental historian as they guide you through the political miracles, the scientific awakenings, and the massive, invisible engineering feats that resurrected these alpine waters. This is a story of civic courage, ecological stewardship, and the power of a community that refused to let its natural heritage slip away.

    • A 3.1 km self-guided tour with 6 stops over 100 min
    • Ideal for travelers interested in Urbanism, Infrastructure & Innovation and History & Memory
    • Immersively told in a podcast style by experts and locals
    • Matching audio content, AI guide and navigation through the app

Activity location

  • Hotel de Ville d'Annecy
    • Espl. de l'Hotel de Ville
    • 74000, Annecy, France

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Annecy City Hall
    • Esplanade de l'Hôtel de ville
    • 74000, Annecy, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

Check availability

Podcast Tour The Crystal Miracle How Annecy Saved Its Lake in Multilingual

  • Activity duration is 1 hour and 40 minutes1h 40m
    1h 40m
  • Opening hours: Tue 0:00-23:59
  • English
Price details
P 431.33
P 345.06 x 1 AdultP 345.06
Total
The previous price was P 431.33 and current price is P 345.06
20% off

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Verified facts woven into an engaging story
  • Inclusions
    Interactive in-app guide for questions about the story and surroundings
  • Inclusions
    Precise navigation between the stops
  • Inclusions
    Immersive podcast-style audio featuring experts and locals

Know before you book

    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activity itinerary

Hotel de Ville d'Annecy

  • 10m
The political birthplace of the lake's rescue, where an unprecedented intercommunal syndicate was formed in 1957.

Espace Archéologie et environnement du lac d'Annecy

  • 10m
Housed in the historic castle, this observatory monitored the lake's biological death and eventual miraculous recovery.

Jardins de l'Europe

  • 10m
The site of the shocking 1950s 'red algae' blooms that visually and olfactorily horrified the public into action.

Pont des Amours

  • 10m
A romantic landmark that historically served as an open sewer, highlighting the dramatic contrast of the restoration.

Le Paquier d'Annecy

  • 10m
The vast lawns hiding the massive, 40km+ underground collector ring that intercepts all wastewater.

Plage Des Marquisats

  • 10m
The public beach that represents the ultimate payoff of the restoration, boasting pristine waters.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Hotel de Ville d'Annecy
    • Espl. de l'Hotel de Ville
    • 74000, Annecy, France

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Annecy City Hall
    • Esplanade de l'Hôtel de ville
    • 74000, Annecy, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

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