Talloires is a small town and commune of the Haute-Savoie département, in the Rhône-Alpes région of eastern France. It is located south of Geneva, Switzerland, on Lake Annecy. Talloires is near the border of Italy. Population (1999): 1,448.
The town is situated on the hills, along a bay, on the east side of Lake Annecy. At least one travel book calls Talloires the "most romantic village" in France. The main business of the town is tourism, although it is still a complete community in its own right, with a central church, post office, bank, library, and a small general store.
Several international conferences have been conducted in Talloires, especially within the educational community. At least one international declaration was created in Talloires. The town was the birthplace of "The Talloires Declaration: University Presidents for a Sustainable Future,"[1] an influential declaration on actions required by university leaders to reverse "environmental pollution and degradation, and the depletion of natural resources." Also, several conferences of the Center for International Affairs, Harvard University[2], have been held in Talloires.
Tufts University has a "European Center"[3] campus in the town. According to the Tufts web site, the European Center is "located in a former Benedictine priory that dates to the 11th century."
Because of the remote location, accessible only by lengthy drives through very narrow, winding, mountain roads, most tourists in Talloires are from neighboring parts of France, Switzerland and Italy. The residents are less likely to speak English than might be expected in more metropolitan areas of France. Visitors may find that speaking French, at least in short phrases, will be necessary, even when ordering meals at the major restaurants in the town. |
