Annecy, the “Venice of the Alps” is a city full of beauty in an underappreciated region of France. Located just across the Swiss border, Annecy has the typical, breathtaking Alp backdrop you’d expect from a city in this area, but it has one additional advantage – captivating canals which empty into a splendid lake.
The narrow streets are perfect to get lost exploring before a trip out on the lake or a canalside meal at one of the many great restaurants in town. No matter what you are interested in, Annecy should be near the top of your list for your next vacation.
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How to get to Annecy
Annecy is located conveniently close to Geneva, making it an easy day trip or change of base. From Geneva the train is just over an hour and conveniently runs 12 times per day in each direction on average.
If you’d rather drive to explore more of this beautiful region, Geneva is just 40 minutes away. Lyon is also just about 2 hours away, making it a potential day trip as well. Having a car will allow you to experience more outside of Annecy proper, just make sure you have everything you need to rent a car!
Where to Stay in Annecy
If you decide to stay in Annecy rather than day trip, you’ll certainly want to stay in Old Town to be in the most beautiful part of the city. There are hotels for all budgets, but here are some in what we would consider the best part of town:
- Hôtel ibis Annecy Centre Vieille Ville ($)
- Hôtel du Château Annecy ($)
- Splendid Hotel Lac d’Annecy – Handwritten Collection ($$)
- Hebe Hotel ($$)
- L’Impérial Palace ($$$)
Best things to do in Annecy
Now that you’ve arrived in Annecy, let’s talk about the 8 best things to do in this wonderful city!
1) Wander along the canals through Old Town
If you are visiting the “Venice of the Alps”, one of the major draws for you must be the canals – and for good reason! The canals in Annecy are beautiful in a much different way than Venice, however. While they are too shallow for boats to pass, they still make for a lovely aesthetic in the city.
As you wander, you’ll wind your way through Old Town past numerous shops selling all kinds of goods and snacks. Take your time admiring the architecture and cobblestone streets in this gem of an Old Town.
2) Get out on Lake Annecy
Lake Annecy is simply marvelous – Annecy could not ask for a better backdrop than this lake. The lake is expansive, with majestic mountains encompassing it on all sides. The water is spectacular and will be super refreshing on a warm summer day!
If you walk through Jardins de l’Europe you’ll find several different rental options, ranging from pedal boats to motor boats at varying price points. Be prepared – many of the pedal boats do not have shade covers, so wear sunscreen and a hat! Whatever you choose, be sure to spend a couple hours relaxing on Lake Annecy!
3) See the Palais de L’Ile
Perhaps the most famous landmark in Annecy, the Palais de L’ile is a historical structure that has, in some form, existed on a natural island in the Thiou Canal for almost 900 years. Over the centuries it has been a prison, courthouse, administrative centre, and even a home for the elderly briefly in the 19th Century.
If you’d like to explore the exhibits, the Palais de L’ile is open from 10:30-6 in the high season. Otherwise the best (and most well known) view of the Palais de L’ile is from the Pont Perreire (a bridge) just up the Thiou Canal. From here the structure almost looks like a ship in the middle of the canal and is sure to leave a lasting impression on you.
4) Admire Lake Annecy from the Pont des Amours (Lover’s Bridge)
If the Palais de L’ile is not the most iconic landmark in Annecy, then the Pont des Amours certainly is. Crossing the Vesse canal where it meets Lake Annecy, the Lover’s Bridge offers a wonderful view of both Lake Annecy and the Vesse canal.
Built in 1906, legend states that if two lovers kiss on the bridge their love will last forever – hence the name “Pont des Amours.” If you are traveling with your amour, make sure you kiss in the middle of the bridge so that your love will never end!
5) Relax in the Jardins de l’Europe
On the edge of Lake Annecy is the Jardins de l’Europe, a beautiful park that will be well populated on a nice day. There are quite a few benches to sit and relax, or you can grab a nice plot of grass!
There is a wooden carousel in the park along with different vendors selling ice cream and some drinks. You can also grab some food from one of the markets in Old Town and have an impromptu picnic! Whatever you do, spend some time enjoying the beautiful scenery and quaintness of the Jardins de l’Europe.
6) For the active – cycle around Lake Annecy
The dedicated bike path around Lake Annecy is relatively flat, and bike rentals can be found at multiple locations, including: https://www.annecy-location-velo.com/en/shop-rental-bikes-annecy/. A cycle around the lake will take anywhere from 3-5 hours (it is 26 miles) depending on your pace and any stops you make.
The route offers stunning views of the lake itself, the mountains surrounding it, and a few picturesque towns along the way. This is a unique and pleasant way to spend a few hours in Annecy!
7) For the adventurous – Paraglide!
Annecy is recognized among adventurers as one of the best, most beautiful places to paraglide in the world. It’s easy to imagine why! As you descend from one of the surrounding mountaintops you’ll be treated to unforgettable scenes all centered on the stunningly beautiful Lake Annecy.
Generally, the average cost for a paragliding adventure in Annecy is 120 Euros, though prices will vary depending on the experience you want. If you’ve ever considered paragliding, Annecy might just be the place for you to finally make it a reality!
8) Enjoy Fantastic French Food
This almost goes without saying, but there are some delicious restaurants in Annecy! If you are coming from Switzerland this is a nice change of pace, but even if you have spent your whole time in France few things beat the French cuisine!
There you have it! Those are the best 8 things to do in Annecy, a beautiful city that should be high on your bucket list. It is such a wonderful, and to an extent underappreciated, city that we absolutely love. For more info on our day trip to Annecy from Geneva, check out our 11 day Switzerland itinerary!
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