The Pont des Amours

We arrive at the Pont des Amours, the Lovers bridge. Another symbolic landmark of the city. The bridge offers a breathtaking view of the lake and Swan Island. Its romantic name actually has a double meaning. It’s a place where lovers like to meet, of course, but in the past, it used to be a prominent site of prostitution. Of course, that’s not the case today, but that’s what it meant to go to the Pont des Amours in the last century. The pinnacle of social success for a landscape, the Pont des Amours has been chosen as the background for the Windows 7 screen! That’s something to be proud of! Be mindful of who you kiss here – legend has it that a kiss on this bridge unites lovers for eternity! I’d like to take this opportunity to tell you another love story, the tragic legend of the Lady of the Lake, straight out of Annecy folklore. Once upon a time, the beautiful Bertholine lived in the Château d’Angon on the right bank of the lake. She fell in love with a knight returning from the Crusades, married him and lived was about to live happily ever after by the lake. But one night, Bertholine was dazzled by the light of a star. Fascinated by its glow, she asked her husband to bring it back to her. He didn’t hesitate for a second and set off on a long journey around the world to fulfil his beloved’s wish. On the 100th day, when he reached the sea, he finally saw the long-sought star reflected in the water. A mermaid appeared and handed him the star, telling him that if he didn’t get back to Bertholine by midnight that same night, she would pay for this foolish whim with her life. The knight set off at full gallop for Annecy. Unfortunately, in his haste, he took the wrong road and ended up on the opposite bank. He spotted a fisherman and asked him to help him cross the lake as quickly as possible. Alas! The fisherman was none other than the Devil. He knew that this desperate knight would be an ideal prey. He promised to get him to Angon Castle in time to save Bertholine’s life, in exchange for his soul, which he would come back for in ten years’ time. Obviously, the knight agreed. He arrived at the castle just in time, offered the star to his beloved, and all was well for the next 10 years. As the fateful day came, the distraught belle ran to the devil and begged him to return her husband to her. A new pact was made. If the young woman could recognise her husband in the people she would meet over the next few days, he would be returned to her. Bertholine studied the faces of everyone she met, but nothing worked, and a month later the devil paid her a visit, telling her that her husband had been introduced to her several times and that she failed to recognise him. Mad with rage and despair, she threw herself from the top of the Roc de Chère mountain. Be careful if you go swimming in that lake, as legend has it that she lures swimmers into the depths in search of her lost love… This could also explain why those who drown in the Roc de Chère are never found.