Annecy is an Alpine town on the shore of one of the clearest lakes in Europe, with an old quarter of canals, flower-decked bridges and arcaded streets that has earned it the nickname “Venice of the Alps”. You come to wander the Vieille Ville, swim and picnic by the turquoise water, cycle the lakeside path, take a boat around the lake or watch paragliders drift down from the mountains. It is two hours from Lyon by train and about an hour from Geneva airport. Give it two days for the town and lake, three or four with the Gorges du Fier, the Semnoz and a day towards Mont Blanc.
Right now in Annecy
- Wed14–17°C56–62°F12 mm rain
- Thu10–14°C49–57°F51 mm rain
- Fri9–13°C49–56°FPartly cloudy
Top tours in Annecy
See all tours for Annecy →
From local operators, with prices and reviews; you check availability and book on Viator, our partner. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we earn money
Annecy at a glance
- Best for: lake swimming and boat trips, a canal-side old town, cycling, paragliding, mountain views and easy hikes.
- How long: 2 days for the town and lake, 3–4 with day trips.
- Best time: June and September for swimming without the August crowds; May and October for walking; mid-June for the animation film festival.
- Getting in: trains from Paris in about 3 hours 40 minutes to 4 hours and from Lyon in about 2 hours; Geneva airport is about 45–60 minutes by road.
- Getting around: on foot in the old town; Sibra buses cost €2 a trip in the app (as of October 2026); bikes on the lakeside path.
- Before you go: entry rules, money, trains and general safety are on our France travel guide.
Annecy’s areas and who each one suits
Annecy sits at the northern tip of its lake, between the Semnoz mountain and the Mont Veyrier. The canals of the Thiou river drain the lake through the old town, and broad lawns and gardens run along the shore. Since 2017 the town has merged with several neighbours into one larger commune, so “Annecy” now also covers Annecy-le-Vieux and Seynod.
The Vieille Ville
The old town is a tangle of arcaded lanes, pastel houses and canals crossed by little bridges, watched over by the castle on its hill. Rue Sainte-Claire, with its arcades, and the Quai de l’Évêché, along the Thiou, are the classic walks. It is packed on summer afternoons but magical early in the morning. Best for a short, romantic stay, though rooms are small and streets can be noisy at night.
The lakefront: Le Pâquier and the Jardins de l’Europe
Between the old town and the lake, the Jardins de l’Europe have giant trees and lawns, and the Pont des Amours (Lovers’ Bridge) spans the tree-lined Canal du Vassé, where small boats are moored. Beyond lies Le Pâquier, a huge lawn where locals picnic and watch the sunset over the lake. Best for: families and anyone who wants the water on the doorstep.
The lake villages: Sevrier, Talloires and Menthon
The western shore, with Sevrier and Duingt, has the cycle path and campsites; the eastern shore, with Veyrier-du-Lac, Menthon-Saint-Bernard and Talloires, is steeper, greener and more exclusive. Best for: a quieter stay with your own beach, ideally with a car or bike.
Top things to see in Annecy
The old town and the lakeside are free to enjoy. Prices are as of October 2026 and some come from the tourist office’s listings; check the official sites before you go.
Palais de l’Isle
Annecy’s symbol is a 12th-century stone house built on an island in the middle of the Thiou, shaped like the bow of a ship. Over the centuries it was a lord’s residence, a mint, a courthouse and a prison; inside, an exhibition tells the story of the town and its architecture, and you can see the old cells. Photograph it from the bridges on either side. It is closed on Tuesdays. Entry is about €4 for adults (€5 in July and August), free for children under 12, and a combined ticket with the castle museum is about €8; the museums are free for everyone on the first Sunday of the month from October to May.
Château d’Annecy museum
The castle of the Counts of Geneva, on the hill above the old town, houses the town museum: regional art and furniture, contemporary art, and an observatory that explains the life and ecology of the Alpine lakes. The terrace has a fine view over the rooftops. Like the Palais de l’Isle, it is closed on Tuesdays outside summer.
Lake Annecy: swimming and beaches
The lake is clean enough to swim in right in town, and the water reaches about 22–25 °C in midsummer. Plage des Marquisats, just south of the centre, and Plage d’Albigny, the largest beach, in Annecy-le-Vieux, are free; both have lawns and lifeguards in the summer season. Other beaches line both shores, some with paid entry in summer. In autumn 2026 the lake level is unusually low after a dry year, so some jetties and swimming spots look different from the photos.
Boat trips on the lake
The Compagnie des Bateaux du Lac d’Annecy runs commented cruises from 1 March to 30 November. As of October 2026, the 1-hour “Découverte” cruise of the main lake costs €19 for adults and €13.50 for children aged 4–12, and the 1½-hour “Évasion” cruise around the whole lake €22 and €15. In summer an “omnibus” boat also stops at the lakeside villages, so you can hop between them. Note: because of the very low water, since 23 September 2026 the sightseeing cruises leave from the landing stage at Sevrier rather than from the port in Annecy; check the company’s website before you go. Small electric boats and pedalos can be hired along the quays in season; see our boat trips guide.
Talloires and the Château de Menthon
On the eastern shore, Talloires is a village of old hotels and gardens in a sheltered bay, with one of the lake’s loveliest views. Above Menthon-Saint-Bernard, the turreted Château de Menthon, birthplace of the saint who gave his name to the Saint Bernard dogs and passes, is still lived in by the same family and opens for visits in season; check its dates before you go.
Outdoor Annecy: cycling, flying and hiking
The lakeside cycle path
A car-free greenway (voie verte) runs from Annecy along the western shore through Sevrier and Duingt to the southern end of the lake, then on along an old railway line towards Albertville. It is flat, smooth and busy on summer weekends with families, skaters and runners. Bikes and e-bikes can be hired in town; cycling the whole way round the lake means some stretches on the busier eastern road. See our cycling guide.
Paragliding from the Col de la Forclaz
Lake Annecy is one of the best-known paragliding spots in Europe. Pilots take off from the Col de la Forclaz, above Talloires and Montmin, and land by the lake at Doussard. Several schools offer tandem flights with a qualified pilot, with no experience needed; flights depend on the weather, so keep your plans flexible. Even without flying, the café terraces at the col have a superb view.
The Semnoz and mountain walks
The Semnoz, the mountain rising directly south-west of town, can be reached by road; from the top, at about 1,700 m, a short walk gives a panorama from the lake to Mont Blanc. Other favourite walks include the Mont Veyrier above the eastern shore and the Roc de Chère nature reserve near Talloires. For more ideas, see our hiking guide.
Markets and food
Annecy’s old-town market, with stalls of Savoy cheeses, charcuterie, honey and vegetables along the canals, is one of the most attractive in the Alps; check the tourist office for this season’s days. Look for Reblochon, Tome des Bauges and Beaufort cheeses, and in cooler months try tartiflette (potatoes, bacon and melted Reblochon), fondue or raclette. Lake fish such as féra and perch are local specialities, and Savoy white wines go well with them.
Events in Annecy
- Annecy International Animation Film Festival: the world’s leading animation festival, with open-air screenings by the lake. The next edition runs from 13 to 19 June 2027, with its industry market (MIFA) from 15 to 18 June 2027. Book accommodation very early.
- Fête du Lac: a huge fireworks and light show over the bay, with paid seating along the shore. The 2026 edition took place on Saturday 1 August; the 2027 date had not been announced as of October 2026.
- Retour des Alpages: in October, a festival celebrating the cows’ return from the mountain pastures, with parades and Savoy crafts in the old town; check the tourist office for the date.
Day trips from Annecy
Gorges du Fier
About 10 km west of town at Lovagny, a walkway clings to the walls of a narrow canyon carved by the Fier river, high above the rushing water. The visit is self-guided and takes about an hour. In 2026 the gorge is open daily from 15 March to 15 October, without booking, from 9:30 to 18:15 in September and October (last entry 17:15). As of October 2026, tickets cost €6 for adults (16 and over), €3 for children aged 7–15 and are free for under-7s, sold only on site. Pushchairs and dogs are not allowed; bring a baby carrier for small children.
Chamonix and Mont Blanc
Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc, is about 1½ hours by car. Ride the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi or the train to the Mer de Glace; it makes a long day trip, better as an overnight stay.
Geneva and Lyon
Switzerland’s Geneva, with its lakefront and old town, is about 45 minutes away by road or a little longer by bus. Lyon, France’s food capital, is about two hours by train, and makes a good next stop.
Nearby destinations
- Geneva33 km
- Chamonix57 km
- Courchevel67 km
- Val d'Isère83 km
- Montreux85 km
- Lyon101 km
- Zermatt126 km
- Turin151 km
Getting there and getting around
By train
Direct TGVs link Paris Gare de Lyon and Annecy in about 3 hours 40 minutes to 4 hours; other trains change at Lyon, Aix-les-Bains or Bellegarde. Regional trains from Lyon take about 2 hours. Annecy station is a 10-minute walk from the old town.
From Geneva airport
Geneva is the nearest international airport, about 45 km north. By car or taxi it takes about 45–60 minutes in normal traffic. Long-distance coaches such as FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus run several times a day in about an hour, and shared and private shuttles can be booked ahead. Hire cars from the French side of the airport save cross-border fees.
Sibra buses
Sibra runs Annecy’s buses, including lines along both shores of the lake. As of October 2026, a single trip valid for one hour costs €2 in the app or by SMS ticket and €2.50 bought on board; a 10-trip ticket is €13, a “Tribu” ticket for four people making the same journey €6, and a 7-day pass €18.20. In summer, regional coaches also serve the lake villages; check the Grand Annecy mobility website.
Driving and the low-emission zone
Since 1 January 2025, the Grand Annecy low-emission zone (ZFE-m) has covered the heart of the agglomeration. All motor vehicles, French or foreign, need a Crit’Air sticker to drive or park inside it, and vehicles that cannot get one are banned; buy the sticker only from the official certificat-air.gouv.fr site. Traffic around the lake is heavy on summer weekends, and lakeside car parks fill early, so use the bus, bike or boat where you can.
When to go and how long to stay
Annecy has a mountain climate: warm summers with frequent thunderstorms, cold winters and plenty of rain all year, about 1,210 mm. The table uses Météo-France’s official normals for the Annecy-Meythet station (temperatures 1992–2020, part of the 1991–2020 sheet): average daily highs and lows, and days with at least 1 mm of rain.
| Season | Average high / low | Rainy days per month | What it’s like | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 6–8 °C / −1 °C | 9–11 | Cold and grey, snow on the mountains | Museums, Savoy food, nearby ski resorts |
| Spring (Mar–May) | 12–20 °C / 2–9 °C | 10–12 | Changeable, green, snow on the peaks | Walking, cycling, quiet lakeside |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 24–27 °C / 13–14 °C | 9–10 | Warm, sunny days, afternoon storms | Swimming, boats, paragliding, festivals |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 21 °C falling to 10 °C / 11 °C falling to 3 °C | 9–11 | Mild September, colourful October | Hiking, Gorges du Fier, fewer crowds |
July is the warmest month, with an average high of about 26.5 °C, and around 17 days a year top 30 °C. January is the coldest, with average lows below freezing. Rain is spread through the year, so pack a light jacket whatever the season.
How long to stay: 2-, 3- and 4-day plans
2 days: Day 1, the old town and canals, the Palais de l’Isle, the castle museum and sunset on Le Pâquier. Day 2, a lake cruise or a bike ride along the cycle path, swimming at a beach and dinner by the water. 3 days: add Talloires, the Col de la Forclaz (with a tandem flight if the weather allows) and the Semnoz. 4 days: add the Gorges du Fier (until 15 October) or a day trip to Chamonix or Geneva.
Where to stay in Annecy
- Vieille Ville: charm and canals on the doorstep; book early, and expect small rooms and some night noise.
- Near the station: practical for trains and buses, a short walk from the old town.
- Annecy-le-Vieux and Albigny: calmer, close to the big beach and lakeside walks.
- Talloires, Menthon or Veyrier: lakeside hotels with views; best with a car.
- Sevrier, Duingt and Doussard: campsites and holiday rentals on the cycle path.
The Grand Annecy adds a nightly tourist tax (taxe de séjour) per adult to your bill; under-18s are exempt. The 2026 rates are €1.70 per adult per night in a 3-star hotel, €2.60 in a 4-star, €3.50 in a 5-star and €4.90 in a palace; unclassified rentals pay 5% of the nightly price per person, up to the top rate. Prices peak in July, August and festival week.
Practical tips for Annecy
- Come early: walk the canals before 9:00 for empty bridges and soft light.
- Mind Tuesday: the town museums close on Tuesdays outside summer.
- Check the boats: cruise departure points have changed in autumn 2026 because of the low lake.
- Watch the weather: summer storms build fast in the afternoon; get off the water and the mountain ridges when the sky darkens.
- Respect the lake: swim only in permitted areas and keep clear of boat lanes.
What to pack for Annecy
In summer, swimwear, a quick-dry towel, water shoes for pebbly beaches, sunscreen and a hat, plus a light rain jacket for afternoon storms. Bring comfortable shoes for cobbles and walking shoes for the mountains, and a warm layer for boat trips and the Semnoz, where it is much cooler than in town. In winter, a warm coat, hat and gloves.
Annecy travel FAQ
How many days do you need in Annecy?
Two days covers the old town, the castle and a day on or around the lake. Three or four days lets you add paragliding or hiking, the Gorges du Fier and a day trip to Chamonix or Geneva.
Can you swim in Lake Annecy?
Yes. The lake is very clean and reaches about 22–25 °C in midsummer. Plage des Marquisats and Plage d’Albigny in Annecy are free, with lifeguards in the summer season.
How much is a boat trip on Lake Annecy?
As of October 2026, the Compagnie des Bateaux’s 1-hour cruise costs €19 for adults and €13.50 for children aged 4–12, and the 1½-hour tour of the whole lake €22 and €15. Cruises run from 1 March to 30 November; since 23 September 2026 they leave from Sevrier because of the low lake level.
When is the Annecy Animation Film Festival in 2027?
From 13 to 19 June 2027, with the MIFA industry market from 15 to 18 June 2027. Hotels fill up months ahead, so book early.
When is the Fête du Lac?
It is a summer fireworks show over the lake; the 2026 edition was on Saturday 1 August. As of October 2026 the 2027 date has not been announced; seats are sold through the City of Annecy.
Are the Gorges du Fier open in October?
Yes, until 15 October 2026, daily from 9:30 to 18:15 with last entry at 17:15. Tickets are €6 for adults, €3 for children aged 7–15 and free for under-7s, sold on site only (as of October 2026).
How do I get from Geneva airport to Annecy?
By car, taxi or shuttle in about 45–60 minutes, or by long-distance coach (FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus) in about an hour, several times a day. Book shuttles ahead in summer and during the film festival.
How long is the train from Paris to Annecy?
About 3 hours 40 minutes to 4 hours by direct TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon; from Lyon, about 2 hours. Check times on SNCF Connect.
Do I need a Crit’Air sticker to drive in Annecy?
Yes, to drive or park inside the Grand Annecy low-emission zone, which has covered the centre since 1 January 2025; vehicles with no possible sticker are banned. Order it only from certificat-air.gouv.fr.
How much is the tourist tax in Annecy?
In 2026, the Grand Annecy charges €1.70 per adult per night in a 3-star hotel, €2.60 in a 4-star and €3.50 in a 5-star; unclassified rentals pay 5% of the price per person. Under-18s are exempt.
Can I go paragliding in Annecy without experience?
Yes, on a tandem flight with a qualified pilot from one of the schools at the Col de la Forclaz. Flights depend on the wind and weather, so leave a spare day in your plans.
Plan your trip
Partner links: TravelerCenter may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
🇫🇷 Useful French phrases for Annecy
All 38 French phrases: restaurant, hotel, emergencies, romance (printable) →
Sources · last reviewed 4 October 2026
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Climate: Météo-France normals for Annecy-Meythet; festival dates: Annecy Festival; Fête du Lac: the Lake Annecy tourist office; cruise prices and the Sevrier departure point: the Compagnie des Bateaux du Lac d’Annecy; Gorges du Fier: the site’s official 2026 page; bus fares: Grand Annecy mobility; low-emission zone and tourist tax: the Grand Annecy. Museum prices come from the tourist office’s listings and train and airport times are approximate, so they are flagged for checking. Prices, hours and timetables change, so check the official links before you go. For entry rules, money and general safety, see our France travel guide.
Data: Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Rates: ECB · Costs: World Bank ICP and price levels · Wikidata (CC0)