Annecy Travel Poster: Lac d’Annecy by Henri Ganier, 1890

P.L.M. Paris – Lyon – Méditerranée Lac d’Annecy by Henri Ganier (1890) captures the crystalline calm of one of the French Alps’ most beloved lakes at the dawn of Europe’s golden age of rail travel. Designed to entice urban travelers to the Haute-Savoie, the poster arranges a panoramic sweep of Lac d’Annecy—its turquoise waters, tree-lined shores, and the storied castle above the old town—into a lyrical celebration of nature and heritage. In the elegant spirit of Art Nouveau, flowing lines and organic forms meet refined typography, inviting the viewer to journey south from Paris or Lyon to this jewel of the Alps.

This listing is for a museum-quality fine art print of the original travel poster, produced on acid-free archival paper or artist’s cotton canvas for sumptuous color and long-term stability. Choose from a range of sizes, with custom framing options crafted to complement historic works on paper. Personalization is available from The Unique Maps Co., including custom captions, dates, and even coordinates—perfect for commemorating a honeymoon, holiday, or once-in-a-lifetime adventure on the lake.

Henri Ganier—also known as Henri Ganier-Tanconville—was a French magistrate, painter, poster artist, and illustrator whose career bridges literature, law, and the arts. Born in Lunéville and educated in Strasbourg and Colmar, he served in the Franco-German War before becoming an examining magistrate in Nancy. A sensitive observer of place and memory, he wrote on the legends of Alsace and carried a deep nostalgia shaped by the shifting borders of the 1870s. That blend of erudition, discipline, and romantic attachment to landscape infuses his graphic work with both clarity and feeling.

The subject here—Lac d’Annecy and its historic lakeside town—was a dream destination promoted by the Paris–Lyon–Méditerranée (P.L.M.) railway, whose network opened the Alps to leisure travel in the late 19th century. This poster places viewers at a vantage where culture and nature meet: the medieval castle and tidy roofs of Annecy stand as guardians of the shoreline, while figures stroll, boat, and gaze across the expanse, emblematic of a new era of recreation and alpine air cures. The scene conveys not only a promise of arrival but the soothing rhythm of waterside life.

Printed in a palette dominated by serene blues, fresh greens, and sun-washed beige, the composition balances geometric architecture with the sinuous contours of mountains and trees. Soft tonal gradients lend the sky and lake an impressionistic shimmer, while the elegant, stylized lettering of “P.L.M. Paris – Lyon – Méditerranée” anchors the design with period authenticity. The poster’s panoramic sweep makes it easy to live with—equally at home above a sofa or in a hallway gallery—offering a daily window onto alpine light, clear water, and calm horizons.

A beautiful gift for anyone who has fallen for Annecy—the “Venice of the Alps”—this print is ideal for Christmas, birthdays, housewarmings, engagements, or to celebrate a recent ski trip, cycling holiday, or summer swim in Haute-Savoie. For parents, partners, and Francophiles alike, it’s a timeless reminder of blue-lake days and castle views at the edge of the mountains.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.