Annecy, France
Whereas France is filled with charming locations, my favourite needs to be the mountain city of Annecy. From lake cruising to farmer’s markets — listed here are the greatest issues to do in Annecy, France!
Annecy is a lovely lake city within the Haute-Savoie area of France surrounded by mountains on the sting of the Swiss border. The lake, Lac d’Annecy, boasts a few of the freshest water in Europe, replenished annually from the snow soften.
The city isn’t too huge — or too small both. With a really walk-able and bike pleasant environment, you may spend many lazy afternoons exploring native outlets, snacking at contemporary meals markets, or take a picnic in one of many many parks.
We spent 2-months dwelling in Annecy as digital nomads with our two children and cat, and completely cherished it! So listed here are a few of our greatest suggestions for actions and nice issues to do in Annecy, France.
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Annecy France Journey Information
1: Discover Annecy’s Previous City
One of many causes Annecy is so picturesque is the community of canals that make their manner by the previous city. It’s generally known as the “Venice of France”. Annecy’s canals are shallow, and not likely used for boating, nevertheless it nonetheless offers the city a captivating really feel.
Mixed with the colourful previous buildings, cobblestone streets, and flower containers, a stroll by the Previous City neighborhood of Annecy is all the time a deal with.
You’ll catch glimpses of the mountains and lake within the distance, whereas having fun with the city’s many street-side eating places, cafes, and ice cream outlets.
2: Boating On Lake Annecy
Arguably Annecy’s prime spotlight is Lac d’Annecy, a surprising giant blue lake positioned proper on the sting of city. Lake Annecy is France’s third largest lake and often receives accolades for being the freshest lake in Europe (attributable to snow soften from the Alps).
The lake is surrounded by mountains, and whereas chilly, is an ideal place to chill off in the summertime warmth. There are biking paths round it, loads of seashores, and plenty of alternatives to go boating!
- Lease A Pedal Boat – You’ll discover every kind of pedal boats obtainable to lease alongside the lake’s edge at Jacquet Promenade. The boats value about €15 EURO for half-hour, relying on dimension. Some even have slides or diving boards connected!
- Lease A Motor Boat – Small 4-5 particular person motor boats might be rented, and also you don’t want a ship license both. Some have sunshades, and leases value about €65 EURO for an hour.
- Be a part of A Lake Tour – There are some giant tour boats that may take you across the lake whereas describing key factors of curiosity. You possibly can even e book a desk for dinner on the boat!
- Go Waterskiing – Waterskiing is a well-liked pastime on Lake Annecy, and it’s potential to e book a visit with one of many native water-skiing corporations.
- Take A Crusing Lesson – You possibly can lease a small sail boat to cruise across the lake, or take a newbie crusing lesson too!
3: Stroll Throughout Lover’s Bridge
Pont des Amours is an additional fairly and well-known bridge on the sting of Lac d’Annecy that spans the Vassé canal and connects the Jardins de l’Europe with the Jacquet Promenade.
Native legend says that lovers who kiss on the bridge will keep collectively for all times.
The bridge has two nice views. One wanting on the lake itself with mountains within the background, and in case you flip round, you’ll take pleasure in a tree-lined canal with picket boats moored on either side.
4: Picnic At Jardins de l’Europe
When the climate is good, strolling or biking all the way down to Jardins de l’Europe is a superb household pleasant exercise. This huge park sits on the sting of the lake, with giant inexperienced fields, boardwalks, and playgrounds.
There’s even an previous picket Carousel, initially inbuilt 1871, for teenagers to experience.
The park is fashionable for late afternoon picnics — simply convey down some wine, cheese, and bread from the markets and a blanket to benefit from the mountain views. A French expertise you simply can’t miss!
5: Discover Annecy Fort
Château d’Annecy is a fortress within the coronary heart of Annecy, positioned on a hill above the city. Initially constructed as a residence for the Counts of Geneva and the Dukes of Genevois-Nemours from the thirteenth to sixteenth centuries.
Lately the Chateau homes a museum (Musée-Château d’Annecy), that includes native sculpture, artwork, and a nature exhibit of animals and fish which are discovered across the lake. The fortress additionally has some good views of the lake and city from the sting of its partitions.
Entry tickets value about €5 EURO for adults, and are free for teenagers beneath 12.
6: Stroll The Promenade du Thiou
The Promenade du Thiou is a pleasant simple stroll by the previous city of Annecy alongside the crystal blue Thiou River, that progressively will get extra wooded and secluded as you progress out of city. There are paths on each side of the river.
The path is bike and stroller pleasant too. It’s an exquisite strategy to spend an hour or two, having fun with nature (and getting away from the busy tourist-filled metropolis heart). There are some playgrounds, sitting areas, and bridges unfold out alongside the tree-shaded path.
Promenade du Thiou begins across the Quai des Cordeliers (simply previous the well-known Le Palais de I’Île), within the heart of Previous Annecy and also you merely stroll up river from there.
7: Go to Annecy le Vieux
Annecy le Vieux is a distinct a part of city, a residential space raised up on a hill overlooking the remainder of the lake. It incorporates a good park, previous buildings and church buildings, some eating places & bars, and is mostly a extra relaxed place in comparison with the busy previous metropolis down under.
Some highlights right here embody the Clocher Roman Church, Parc Gabriel Fauré, and Les Quatre Gourmets Restaurant.
8: Store At The Farmer’s Markets
Considered one of my favourite elements of dwelling in Annecy was the numerous contemporary meals markets that line the streets of the previous city. You’ll discover quite a lot of produce, cheese, sausage, wine, olives, bread, flowers, crafts, and extra.
The Annecy road markets occur each Tuesday, Friday and Sunday from 7am–1pm. Ensure that to strive a few of the native reblochon cheese, utilized in many native dishes.
9: Chateau de Menthon-Saint Bernard
Chateau de Menthon is a formidable medieval fortress simply exterior of Annecy. Dwelling to the identical household for over 100 years, it’s open to guests from April to October on weekends.
The fortress towers over Lake Annecy, the Roc de Chère Nationwide Nature Reserve, and Menthon-Saint-Bernard, with fantastic views of every.
Guided excursions of the fortress (in French solely) are within the afternoons, and final about an hour. There’s additionally a small backyard together with sheep, pigs, and peacocks.
10: Bike Round The Lake
Annecy may be very bicycle pleasant, with many devoted bike paths and trails that may take you throughout the city. There’s fantastic bike path that encircles the lake too, and it’s an effective way to kill a couple of hours whereas having fun with the mountain surroundings.
This 35 km paved greenway follows the previous route of a railroad that related Annecy with Albertville, and stops in smaller villages alongside the way in which like Sévrier, Saint-Jorioz, Duingt, Lathuile and Doussard.
You possibly can lease a motorcycle from many outlets in Annecy, and even get a trailer for teenagers (like we did).
11: Palais de l’Île
Palais de l’Isle might be essentially the most postcard-famous spot in Annecy. A singular castle-like constructing that sits in the midst of the Thiou River, surrounded by eating places and outlets in Annecy’s previous city.
Typically described as a “home within the form of a ship” — the constructing has been a jail, a courthouse and an administrative heart. The unique construction was constructed within the twelfth century.
Lately it’s a museum (about €4 to enter), that includes an previous courtroom, dungeon, jail cells and chapel that you could go to. Essentially the most well-known photographs are taken from the bridge out in entrance.
12: Go For A Hike
Annecy is positioned on the base of the French Alps, and an incredible place to base your self for visiting the mountains. There are lots of native hikes close by, in addition to day journeys to glorious snowboarding and trekking alternatives.
From simple walks, to excessive mountaineering, there’s one thing for everybody. Hikes round Annecy can embody waterfalls, mountain lakes, and wildlife sightings of ibex mountain goats.
Listed here are some fashionable climbing trails round Annecy:
- La Tournette – The best peak close to the lake, La Tournette is a really troublesome hike. However the views are wonderful. About 6-hours round-trip. Skilled hikers solely.
- Mont Baron & Veyrier – A average 2-hour loop hike that visits two mountain peaks, with fantastic views.
- Gorges du Fier – A simple stroll for the entire household, this hike takes you throughout suspension bridges in the midst of a gorge.
- Cascade d’Angon – Stunning shaded waterfall hike that’s not too troublesome, and offers you good views of the lake. About 2-hours spherical journey.
Greatest Time To Go to Annecy
March – Might
We visited Annecy within the Spring, primarily in April and Might. The climate on this a part of France might be unpredictable, and it snowed on us a pair instances. In between sunny days stuffed with wildflowers. The mountains will nonetheless have snow on them, however the climate isn’t too scorching but on the town.
June – August
That is Annecy’s excessive season, and whereas lovely, it could actually get very crowded. Many vacationers go to Annecy as a day journey whereas touring by Switzerland, as a result of it’s so near the border. It’s troublesome to search out lodging in the summertime, except you e book months prematurely.
September – November
That is most likely the most effective time to go to Annecy. Many of the high-season vacationers are gone, the climate is cool, however the snow hasn’t come but. There’s additionally an incredible competition in October known as the Return Of The Alpine Pastures Pageant.
The place Is Annecy (Getting There)
Annecy, France is positioned 44 km West of Geneva (Switzerland) a couple of 40-minute drive away. Most individuals get to Annecy after flying into Geneva Worldwide Airport, after which driving over the border.
Nevertheless it’s additionally potential to fly into Paris and take a prepare. Seek for the most cost effective flights to Geneva on Skyscanner.com.
The place To Keep In Annecy
Lodging in Annecy can vary from backpacker pleasant to luxurious. As we have been staying there long-term, we rented an exquisite vacation condominium from My Candy Dwelling Annecy that was near every thing.
The perfect areas to remain in Annecy are close to the previous city for straightforward entry to the markets and the lake.
BEST ACCOMMODATION IN ANNECY
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