Double Dog Dare Me?

So, I was minding my own business last night working on my computer writing my stupid book when I happened to glance at the TV and saw the movie that was playing and I screamed, “That’s Annecy!” How often does a movie pop on the television that is set in your husband’s tiny hometown in the French Alps? Not often, so I got a little excited. I watched the entire movie in French with no subtitles…because the scenery was stunning and I figured I know enough French to get the gist. I have been going to Annecy for the past eight years with my husband when we visit his parents. They have a house on the lake that they have lived in since 1969! Swear to God. Living in one house for that many years is a completely foreign concept to me. I like to move…about every six months. I won’t even tell you how many different houses in Santa Barbara that I’ve lived in (eight in 10 years). The town of Annecy is situated on the most beautiful lake your eyes have ever seen. I have a love-hate relationship with Annecy. I distinctly remember jumping out of my husband’s car in Annecy telling him I would rather walk back to Santa Barbara than sit in a car with him (don’t worry, we made up). I also distinctly remember swimming in the lake with my husband lovingly holding his hand. I have always loved Annecy, but not loved, loved it… Until I watched that movie.

The movie was called Le Genou de Claire. It was made in 1970 by Eric Rohmer. Roger Ebert reviewed the film in 1971, saying, “Claire's Knee is a movie for people who still read good novels, care about good films, and think occasionally.” I think occasionally, and I thought the movie was a little perverted to tell you the truth, but the scenery was magnifique! You can read the whole review HERE. I found some stills from the movie… Look look look...

 

Who wouldn’t fall in love with that? A fool, that’s who. So what does Ellie do? She immediately starts looking for houses in Annecy on the computer. I know, I know… I’m crazy, but just stay with me. Annecy has everything… The lake, the mountains, close to Geneva, close to the south of France, three hours to Paris by train, great restaurants, farmers markets, sort of near Italy, fresh air, and has beautiful seasons. Look look look.

 

 

So, because I’m a professional house hunter, I found two houses that are amazeballs. Yes, I’ve already called about both of them. Let’s look at the first one…
   

 

 

 

 

And now, the second house…

 

 

 

 

The houses they seem a little rough around the edges but that’s exactly how I like them. I have a tendency to remodel rental houses at my own expense, without the landlord’s approval or knowledge. My husband just loves when I do this. The house with the blue shutters needs to have their “unfortunate” furniture put in storage and replaced with mine. Sorry blue house with shutters, no offense. The second house on the lake just needs a little garden love, some furniture and accessories editing, paint and a little fluffing with all of my “nice stuff.” I feel like these houses are petite diamonds in the rough. Do you want to hear a funny story? My ex-husband and I were looking at this old house in St. Louis with a real estate agent. It was “a bit tired.” He accidentally said, “It has really nice third world charm.” I was like,“Uhh, do you mean “old world charm?” So funny.

Don’t worry, there is a beautiful hotel for all of you to check into when you come to visit me. The hotel is an old monastery that was frequented by Paul Cézanne. We go there for lunch in the summers. It is called Abbaye de Tailloires… Check out their website HERE. You will die. Look look look…

 

 

 

So what do you think of Annecy? Rather charming, non?

I am not even sure if these houses are available year-round, and I don’t even know the price… I just know that I love both of them. Dare me to move to Annecy?

A toute!