Stories from Annecy · France

Two robot cats have been deployed in a nursing home in Annecy, France, with the mission of calming elderly residents. The robots are designed to provide comfort and companionship.

A new lesson detailing the behind-the-scenes of the film 'Sauvage' will be presented at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The film has also been nominated. The festival is described as the main animation film festival in Europe and globally. The film 'Vers la forêt' by Antonella Niclas was also mentioned. These include 'Batman: Caped Crusader', 'My Adventures with Superman', and 'DC Super Powers'.

An investigation by Mediapart revealed that the production facility near Annecy, France, for the 'Sophie la girafe' toy was merely a storefront. Since 2013, the majority of the 700,000 toys sold in France and hundreds of thousands exported were actually manufactured in China.

Two animated films from the Philippines have been selected for the 2026 Annecy Film Festival lineup. An international film showcase originating in Valencia, Spain, has included two Filipino animated films in its lineup.

French family-owned company Maped is preparing to close its final workshops in Haute Savoie. The company has been in existence for 80 years. Maped will continue its innovation, research, and development operations in France.

Mayor Antoine Armand plans to implement fees for access to the popular Imperial beach starting this summer. Armand, a former economy minister, justifies the decision based on campaign promises. His aide, Marie Bosson, cited recent issues including large fights and the presence of alcohol on the beach as contributing factors. This decision has generated local friction and social debate regarding public availability. Critics argue the move promotes social segregation rather than community cohesion. The local government is facing pressure to prioritize prevention and security over restricted access models. This decision follows a campaign promise by the new mayor and former economy minister Antoine Narmand. Public beach access in Annecy will transition to a paid model for the upcoming summer season.