The Opinel is much more than just a knife: it is a symbol of Annecy. Even though Opinel comes from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne in Savoie, it was in Annecy, with the opening of the brand's first boutique in the old town, that it became emblematic of the region. Available in eleven sizes, the Opinel is suitable for all situations, whether for your outdoor activities or for the home. The boutique located on rue Filaterie offers models for every need, without forgetting a special collection for children. You can even personalize your gift with an engraving.
Little tip: according to tradition, giving a knife brings bad luck, unless the recipient gives you a coin in exchange, symbolizing a purchase rather than a gift. So, make sure you get a coin in return!
3. A preparation kit for making génep
Who says Haute-Savoie, necessarily says Génépi. So, for an original and typical gift, why not opt for a preparation kit for this traditional drink? The Blend des Alpes company offers a practical kit, allowing everyone to easily make their own artisanal liqueur at home. This kit contains everything you need: a bottle, sugar and a sprig of genepi picked in the mountains. All you have to do is add fruit alcohol at 40°, and after 40 days of maceration, the distillers will be able to taste their own homemade génep.
Easy to find in Annecy and the surrounding area, this kit is available at Snowleader, at Super U in Pringy, at VandB in Épagny and at La Crémerie du Treige in Seynod.
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Offer a workshop to do solo or in pairs
4. Turn a porcelain piece
If your loved ones love crafts and creation, treat them to a ceramic workshop led by Adrien, artisan ceramist and turner. In two hours, they will learn to master the wheel and discover the key stages of pottery. Whether cups, mugs or carafes, they will have the freedom to create as many pieces as they wish, learning to shape the clay and shape their creations. Adrien will then take care of the glazing and cooking. The items made can be picked up at the workshop or sent by post a few days later.
Offer a porcelain workshop
5. Make a bangle bracelet
To please your creative loved ones, why not offer them the opportunity to become a jeweler during a workshop? In just two hours, under Virginie's guidance, they will learn to make their own hammered brass bangle. After cutting and forming the metal, they will use a triboulet to give it its shape, before texturing the bracelet using millet and hammering it. At the end of the workshop, everyone will leave with their personalized piece of jewelry, made with their own hands.
Offer a rush workshop
6. Compose a perfume
If your loved ones love perfumes and the sensory world, give them a moment to create their own fragrance. During a 2 to 2.5 hour workshop with Mathilde, perfumer, they will discover the art of perfumery and learn how to compose a scent that suits them. Using natural and precious essential oils, they will experiment with different accords and notes to find their perfect combination. Once the perfume is created, they will put it in a 30 ml bottle to take home their own creation.
Offer a perfume workshop
7. A workshop to learn how to brew your beer
If your loved ones are beer lovers, this workshop in the heart of a brewery is made for them. During this experience, they will have the opportunity to discover the history of craft beer, its ingredients, its techniques and its specificities. After a tour of the brewery, they will actively participate in the brewing, going through key stages such as crushing the malt and adding the hops. At the end of the workshop, they will enjoy a tasting of craft beers accompanied by a savory snack, before leaving with an assortment of a dozen current beers to choose from the range.
Offer a brewing workshop
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Offer an indoor or outdoor activity
8. A duo SPA & massage moment
To please your loved ones looking for relaxation, offer them a well-being getaway with a voucher for a moment of relaxation, including spa and massage for two. They will be able to enjoy the facilities of the wellness area: sauna, hammam and jacuzzi, before letting themselves be carried away by a massage on the WellSystem table, combining heat and jets for optimal relaxation. Several packages are available: a 2-hour spa pack with 30 minutes of WellSystem massage, or a complete option with 1 hour of spa, a 30-minute WellSystem massage and a 30-minute manual massage for a moment of complete relaxation.
Offer SPA and massage entry
9. A paragliding flight
If your loved ones love thrills and breathtaking landscapes, why not treat them to a paragliding flight? Considered one of the best paragliding destinations in Europe, Annecy allows you to experience a first flight lasting from 10 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, with a takeoff from the Col de la Forclaz in Montmin. Accompanied by a qualified instructor, they will fly over Lake Annecy and enjoy the view of the Bauges and the Aravis. After a safety briefing, they will fly off in tandem before landing gently near the paragliding school in Doussard. An experience accessible to everyone from 6 years old, with several flight options.
Offer a paragliding flight
10. A hot air balloon flight
In the same spirit as paragliding, hot air ballooning offers breathtaking panoramas. Accompanied by Yannick, the pilot, your loved ones will take off in an intimate basket, accommodating only three passengers in addition to the pilot, for a unique experience at sunrise. They will have the chance to fly over Lake Annecy and its surrounding mountains, while enjoying a breathtaking view. After landing, a moment of relaxation awaits them with a well-deserved coffee, before returning to their vehicle in a 4×4.
Offer a hot air balloon flight
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Offer a getaway of one or more nights
11. An unusual night
Offering an unusual night is an original idea for Christmas. In the region, you will find a wide variety of atypical accommodation: tree houses, caravans, mines, chalets, transparent bubbles, igloos and even lodges. Some even offer high-end services, such as packed lunches or private jacuzzis, to disconnect and recharge your batteries for a night. Whether in the heart of the mountains or in the middle of the fields, this gift is sure to please. And of course, other unusual accommodation options are available in Savoie, Isère and throughout France.
Book an unusual night
12. One night in a hotel
If you prefer to opt for a more classic choice, a night in a hotel remains an excellent option. You can, for example, choose accommodation in the resort, ideal during the winter with the many activities organized throughout the season. Another option is to book a hotel on the shores of Lake Annecy, offering breathtaking views and quality services such as spas, swimming pools, treatments and massages, fitness rooms, as well as bars and gourmet restaurants. With a wide variety of offerings in the area, there is something for every taste and budget.
Book a night in Annecy
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