Things to do in Annecy: the old town, the lake and the mountains
Annecy is a small old town of canals and arcades at the top of a long, clear alpine lake, with mountains on every side. Two days is enough for the town, three if you want the lake properly. The one thing to know: in July and August the old town is very crowded, so go early, or come outside the summer.
The short answer
- First trip
- Walk the old town in the morning, then spend the afternoon on the lake by boat, bike or beach.
- Where to stay
- The old town for atmosphere, the lakeside for views, or a lake village if you have a car.
- How many days
- Two days for the town and a boat, three if you add cycling or a mountain trip.
- Best time to go
- June and September for warm water and fewer people, December for the Christmas market.
- Book ahead
- A room from June to August, plus paragliding and a table at the better restaurants.
- From the airport
- Geneva is 50 km away. Coaches take about an hour, and the train about two hours with changes.
Where to stay in Annecy, in brief
Vieille Ville (the old town)
atmosphere and first visits
Canals, arcades and a castle above, all on foot. It is the prettiest base and the busiest, with crowds by day and noise from the quays on summer nights.
The lakeside
views and the water
Around the Champ de Mars and the Jardins de l'Europe, a few minutes from the old town. Flat, green and close to the lake, with more space than the old streets.
The station and the center
trains and value
A short walk from the old town, with the coach and rail stations and more practical hotels. Less charm, easier arrival and often better prices.
Lake villages: Sévrier and Talloires
quiet, with a car or a boat
Beautiful, calm and by the water, but several kilometers from the old town. Good for a slower stay, awkward for a short city break.
Things to do in Annecy
The old town and the Thiou canal
Walk the arcaded streets and the quays along the Thiou, the short river that carries the lake out through town. Go before 10:00 or after dinner to see it without the crowds.
Palais de l'Isle
The old stone building on a small island in the canal, the most photographed view in town. Look from the bridges, and check its opening hours if you want to go inside.
Château d'Annecy
The castle on the hill above the old town, now a museum. The climb is short and steep, and the view over the rooftops and the lake is the reason to go.
Jardins de l'Europe and the Pont des Amours
A lawn and plane-tree garden running down to the lake, with a small footbridge at the end. It is the usual place for a first look at the water.
Swimming in the lake
The water is clean and clear, and warm enough from about June to September. Use the lifeguarded public beaches, such as Albigny and the Impérial beach, and take shoes for the pebbles.
A boat on the lake
Passenger boats leave from the quay by the Jardins de l'Europe and call at villages on the shore, including Talloires. Timetables are fuller in summer, so check the day before.
Cycling the lake path
A mostly flat cycle path follows the shore, about 40 km for the full loop. Hire a bike in town and ride one side, then return by boat or on the other bank.
Paddling and pedalos
Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and pedalos are for hire along the shore in season. Go early, before the afternoon wind and the crowds.
Paragliding from the Col de la Forclaz
Tandem flights with an instructor take off above Talloires and land by the lake. They depend on the weather, so keep a spare day.
A few days ahead in summer
Basilique de la Visitation
A hilltop church above the south edge of the old town, reached by a steady walk. It is free to enter and has a wide view over the town and the lake.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Annecy can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Annecy, and which to pick- Hotels from June to August2 to 3 months ahead
The old town and lakeside sell out in summer, and the lake villages have very few rooms.
- Paragliding or a private boatA few days ahead in summer
Slots fill on fine days, and bad weather moves everyone to the next day.
- Dinner at the better restaurants1 to 2 weeks ahead in summer
The starred and Bib Gourmand rooms are small, and the best-known cheese restaurants fill at weekends.
What to skip in Annecy
- Eating on the canal quays with a photo menu
You pay for the view and get an average meal. Walk two streets away, or lunch at a set menu in the center.
- Driving into the old town
The center is mostly pedestrian and parking is tight in summer. Park at the edge or arrive by coach or train, and walk.
- The old town at midday in August
It is hot, slow and packed. Do the town early and the lake in the afternoon, or swap them.
Best time to visit Annecy
June and September are the best months. The lake is warm enough to swim in, boats and bike hire are running, and the old town is busy but not packed. July and August are hot and very crowded, and the lake beaches fill by late morning.
December has the Christmas market in the old town and a good reason to come in the cold, with early dark and a real chance of snow. Spring and autumn are quiet, and some lake services run less often, so check boat and rental times before you plan around them.
- From Geneva airportGeneva is about 50 km away. Coaches reach Annecy in roughly an hour to an hour and a quarter, and the train takes about two hours with changes at Geneva and Annemasse. Lyon airport is farther, at about 125 km.
- On footThe old town, the lakeside gardens and the station are all within a 15 to 20 minute walk of each other. You rarely need transport inside the center.
- Boats and bikesPassenger boats and the shore cycle path are the best way to reach the lake villages. Both run more in summer and less in winter.
- Buses and carsLocal buses serve the lake shore, but evening services are thin. A car helps for the villages and mountains, and makes the old town harder.
Annecy in three days
- Day 1
Walk the old town early: the Thiou canal, Palais de l'Isle and the castle. Spend the afternoon in the Jardins de l'Europe and by the water.
- Day 2
Hire a bike or take a boat to Talloires. Swim off a public beach, and have dinner on the shore or back in town.
- Day 3
Fly from the Col de la Forclaz if the weather allows, or take a day trip to Geneva or Chamonix.
Day trips from Annecy
- GenevaAbout an hour by coach. A lake, an old town on a hill and the UN, with prices far above Annecy's.
- ChamonixAbout an hour and a quarter by car, with buses and trains that need changes. The Aiguille du Midi cable car and views of Mont Blanc, weather permitting.
- Talloires and Menthon-Saint-BernardTwo villages on the lake, reached by boat or bike in under an hour. Good for lunch and a swim without going far.
Annecy: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Annecy?
Two days covers the old town, the castle and a boat on the lake. Three lets you add cycling or paragliding, and a fourth is only needed for the mountains or a day trip.
Is Annecy worth visiting?
Yes, for a short break, especially in June and September. It is small, pretty and set on a clear lake. It is crowded in midsummer, and quieter outside it.
What is the best time to visit Annecy?
June and September for swimming and fewer people, and December for the Christmas market. July and August are the hottest and the busiest.
Can you swim in Lake Annecy?
Yes. The water is clean and clear, and warm enough from about June to September. Swim at lifeguarded public beaches such as Albigny and the Impérial beach.
Is Annecy expensive?
It is dearer than most French towns, especially in summer and in the old town. Eating a set lunch, staying a short walk from the canals and picnicking by the lake keep costs down.
How do you get from Geneva airport to Annecy?
By coach in about an hour to an hour and a quarter, or by train in about two hours with changes. Geneva is the nearest major airport, about 50 km away.
Do you need a car in Annecy?
Not for the old town and the lake edge, which are walkable. A car helps for the lake villages and the mountains, but parking in town is limited in summer.