Finest Things To Do In Annecy, France (A Travel Guide)

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1: Check out Annecy’s Old Town

Among the factors Annecy is so attractive is the network of canals that make their method through the old town. It’s in some cases called the “ Venice of France”. Annecy’s canals are shallow, and not actually utilized for boating, however it still offers the town a lovely feel.

Integrated with the vibrant old structures, cobblestone streets, and flower boxes, a walk through the Old Town area of Annecy is constantly a reward.

You’ll capture peeks of the mountains and lake in the range, while delighting in the town’s numerous street-side dining establishments, coffee shops, and ice cream stores.

2: Boating On Lake Annecy

Probably Annecy’s leading emphasize is Lac d’Annecy, a spectacular big blue lake situated right on the edge of town. Lake Annecy is France’s 3rd biggest lake and frequently gets honors for being the best lake in Europe (due to snow melt from the Alps).

The lake is surrounded by mountains, and while cold, is a best location to cool down in the summertime heat. There are cycling courses around it, lots of beaches, and numerous chances to go boating!

• Lease A Pedal Boat— You’ll discover all sort of pedal boats readily available to lease along the lake’s edge at Jacquet Boardwalk. The boats cost about EUR15 EURO for thirty minutes, depending upon size. Some even have slides or diving boards connected!
• Lease A Motor Boat— Little 4-5 individual motor boats can be leased, and you do not require a boat license either. Some have sunshades, and leasings cost about EUR65 EURO for an hour.
• Sign Up With A Lake Trip— There are some big trip boats that will take you around the lake while explaining bottom lines of interest. You can even reserve a table for supper on the boat!
• Go Waterskiing— Waterskiing is a popular activity on Lake Annecy, and it’s possible to reserve a journey with among the regional water-skiing business.
• Take A Cruising Lesson— You can lease a little sail boat to travel around the lake, or take a novice cruising lesson too!

3: Stroll Throughout Fan’s Bridge

Pont des Amours is an additional beautiful and well-known bridge on the edge of Lac d’Annecy that covers the Vassé canal and links the Jardins de l’Europe with the Jacquet Boardwalk.

Regional legend states that fans who kiss on the bridge will remain together for life.

The bridge has 2 terrific views. One taking a look at the lake itself with mountains in the background, and if you reverse, you’ll take pleasure in a tree-lined canal with wood boats moored on each side.

4: Picnic At Jardins de l’Europe

When the weather condition is good, strolling or cycling down to Jardins de l’Europe is a terrific household friendly activity. This enormous park rests on the edge of the lake, with big green fields, boardwalks, and play grounds.

There’s even an old wood Carousel, initially integrated in 1871, for kids to ride.

The park is popular for late afternoon picnics– simply lower some white wine, cheese, and bread from the marketplaces and a blanket to take pleasure in the mountain views. A French experience you simply can’t miss out on!

5: Check Out Annecy Castle

Château d’Annecy is a castle in the heart of Annecy, situated on a hill above the town. Initially constructed as a house for the Counts of Geneva and the Dukes of Genevois-Nemours from the 13th to 16th centuries.

Nowadays the Chateau homes a museum (Musée-Château d’Annecy), including regional sculpture, art, and a nature exhibition of animals and fish that are discovered around the lake. The castle likewise has some great views of the lake and town from the edge of its walls.

Entry tickets cost about EUR5 EURO for grownups, and are totally free for kids under 12.

6: Stroll The Boardwalk du Thiou

The Boardwalk du Thiou is a good simple walk through the old town of Annecy along the crystal blue Thiou River, that gradually gets more woody and remote as you vacate town. There are courses on both sides of the river.

The path is bike and stroller friendly too. It’s a terrific method to invest an hour or 2, delighting in nature (and avoiding the hectic tourist-filled town hall). There are some play grounds, sitting locations, and bridges expanded along the tree-shaded path.

Boardwalk du Thiou begins around the Quai des Cordeliers (simply past the well-known Le Palais de I’ Île), in the center of Old Annecy and you just stroll up river from there.

7: Check Out Annecy le Vieux

Annecy le Vieux is a various part of town, a house raised up on a hill neglecting the remainder of the lake. It includes a good park, old structures and churches, some dining establishments & & bars, and is normally a more unwinded location compared to the hectic old city down below.

Some highlights here consist of the Clocher Roman Church, Parc Gabriel Fauré, and Les Quatre Gourmets Dining Establishment

8: Store At The Farmer’s Markets

Among my preferred parts of residing in Annecy was the numerous fresh grocery store that line the streets of the old town. You’ll discover a range of fruit and vegetables, cheese, sausage, white wine, olives, bread, flowers, crafts, and more.

The Annecy street markets occur every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday from 7am– 1pm. Make certain to attempt a few of the regional reblochon cheese, utilized in numerous regional meals.

9: Chateau de Menthon-Saint Bernard

Chateau de Menthon is an excellent middle ages castle simply beyond Annecy. House to the exact same household for over 100 years, it’s open to visitors from April to October on weekends.

The castle towers over Lake Annecy, the Roc de Chère National Nature Reserve, and Menthon-Saint-Bernard, with fantastic views of each.

Directed trips of the castle (in French just) remain in the afternoons, and last about an hour. There’s likewise a little garden together with sheep, pigs, and peacocks.

10: Bike Around The Lake

Annecy is extremely bike friendly, with numerous devoted bike courses and tracks that will take you all around the town. There is fantastic bike course that surrounds the lake too, and it’s an excellent method to eliminate a couple of hours while delighting in the mountain landscapes.

This 35 km paved greenway follows the old path of a railway that linked Annecy with Albertville, and drops in smaller sized towns along the method like Sévrier, Saint-Jorioz, Duingt, Lathuile and Doussard.

You can lease a bike from numerous stores in Annecy, and even get a trailer for kids (like we did).

11: Palais de l’Île

Palais de l’Isle is most likely the most postcard-famous area in Annecy. A special castle-like structure that beings in the middle of the Thiou River, surrounded by dining establishments and stores in Annecy’s old town.

Typically referred to as a “home in the shape of a ship”– the structure has actually been a jail, a court house and an administrative center. The initial structure was built in the 12th century.

Nowadays it is a museum (about EUR4 to go into), including an old courtroom, dungeon, jail cells and chapel that you can check out. The most well-known pictures are drawn from the bridge out in front.

12: Opt For A Walking

Annecy lies at the base of the French Alps, and an excellent location to base yourself for going to the mountains. There are numerous regional walkings neighboring, along with outing to outstanding snowboarding and travelling chances.

From simple strolls, to severe mountaineering, there’s something for everybody. Walkings around Annecy can consist of waterfalls, mountain lakes, and wildlife sightings of ibex mountain goats.

Here are some popular treking tracks around Annecy:

• La Tournette— The greatest peak near the lake, La Tournette is a really hard walking. However the views are fantastic. About 6-hours round-trip. Experienced hikers just.
• Mont Baron & & Veyrier— A moderate 2-hour loop trek that gos to 2 mountain peaks, with fantastic views.
• Gorges du Fier— A simple walk for the entire household, this walking takes you throughout suspension bridges in the middle of a canyon.
• Waterfall d’Angon— Gorgeous shaded waterfall trek that’s not too hard, and offers you good views of the lake. About 2-hours big salami.

Finest Time To Check Out Annecy

March– May

We checked out Annecy in the Spring, mainly in April and May. The weather condition in this part of France can be unforeseeable, and it snowed on us a couple times. In in between bright days filled with wildflowers. The mountains will still have snow on them, however the weather condition isn’t too hot yet in the area.

June– August

This is Annecy’s high season, and while stunning, it can get extremely crowded. Numerous travelers check out Annecy as an excursion while taking a trip through Switzerland, due to the fact that it’s so near the border. It’s hard to discover lodging in the summertime, unless you reserve months ahead of time.

September– November

This is most likely the very best time to check out Annecy. The majority of the high-season travelers are gone, the weather condition is cool, however the snow hasn’t come yet. There’s likewise an excellent celebration in October called the Return Of The Alpine Pastures Celebration

Where Is Annecy (Arriving)

Annecy, France lies 44 km West of Geneva (Switzerland) about a 40-minute drive away. The majority of people get to Annecy after flying into Geneva International Airport, and after that driving over the border.

Nevertheless it’s likewise possible to fly into Paris and take a train. Look for the most affordable flights to Geneva on Skyscanner.com

Where To Remain In Annecy

Lodging in Annecy can vary from backpacker friendly to glamorous. As we were remaining there long-lasting, we leased a terrific vacation apartment or condo from My Sugary Food House Annecy that was close to whatever.

The very best locations to remain in Annecy are near the old town for simple access to the marketplaces and the lake.