Annecy in the North of the French Alps, is the Venice of Savoie — a well deserved title. The medieval town centre built around a 14th Century Chateau is dissected by small canals and streams running out of Lac Annecy, which is clean, fresh and a wonderful azure colour. Annecy is also the prefecture of the département of Haute-Savoie.
Access
Annecy is a popular day trip from nearby Geneva, Switzerland (bring your passport for the border crossing). Geneva is the nearest major international airport and is well served from across Europe and beyond. A little further away is Lyon, a full international airport, and Grenoble, which is focussed on low cost and winter flights . Both are about a one-hour drive by car or bus. The airport at Annecy only has flights to Paris.
Activities and Sightseeing
- June : One of the biggest animation festivals is held in Annecy (6 days)
- July : Noctibules festival during the nights (4 days)
- The first week-end of August is the Lake Festival (Fête du Lac) with attractions around the lake and a great fireworks. This event brings more than 100’000 spectators.
- October : “Descente des Alpages” or “Return from Alpine Pastures”. Occurs once a year on the second Saturday of October. This is a traditional farmers’ festival with local music, food and entertainment. See pictures from this festival
- Swim, row or sail on the lake
- Hike on the mountains around the city
- Bike around the lake, or up in the mountains if you are in good condition.
- Hangliding above the lake from the Col de la Forclaz (~20km)
- Shop the many boutiques lining the narrow stone-paved streets.
Restaurants
For between meals try the Italian ice cream shops, favored by the locals, located on the numerous pedestrian-only by-ways that weave the city and river together.
Another suggestion is the brioche (sweet roll) and other goodies to be found at the boulangeries (bakeries) in town.
Lodging
See the Listing of the Hotels in Annecy
Bed & Breakfast, youth hostel exist. Surrounding mountains and lake activities are draining a large number of tourist during the summer and more and more during the winter season. Several winter sport resorts being in 30′ drive.
Shopping
Annecy has a number of local artisan shops as well as many European chain boutiques.
There is a market (marché) each Sunday morning in the pedestrian streets of the medieval city
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Nearby
- Discover small towns nearby in the Alps such as Thônes, La Clusaz, Le Grand-Bornand, Menthon St. Bernard, Duingt, Faverges
- Use the place as a base to visit other places of the Alps such as Chamonix (~80k), Gen