Tucked away near the Swiss border in eastern France, Annecy is the kind of town that makes you question whether real life accidentally wandered into a fairy tale. Picture this: flower-draped balconies, cobblestone lanes, turquoise canals, and a sparkling lake ringed by snow-kissed mountains.

The boat ride starts off like any other through the ancient canals of Xochimilco. There's laughter in the distance, floating mariachi music, and the occasional splash of an oar. But then your trajinera turns away from the main path. The air gets still. The water darkens. The laughter fades. You're no longer headed toward a party—you’re heading into a ghost story.