Annecy

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Twelve things to know when visiting Annecy

Annecy is a small mountain town located near the heart of the French Alps, in the Haute-Savoie region of France, close to the Swiss border and about 40 km (25 miles) south of Geneva. Most people visiting either take the TGV fast train from Paris or fly into Geneva airport and take the 40-minute drive across the border.

Search for the cheapest flights to Geneva on Skyscanner.com and find great places to stay in Annecy.

The town is rooted between the beautiful lake that borrows its name and the majestic alpine mountains, which have slowed its geographic expansion and kept it a human-size and captivating lake city. The stunning greenish-blue lake, the Lac d’Annecy, which is located right on the edge of town and is the third largest lake in France, regularly receives awards for being one of the freshest lakes in Europe because it is replenished from the melting and pure mountain snow.

The presence of this lake and of the Thiou river makes Annecy a very unique place and helped it earn the nickname of the "Venice of the Alps". The lake is celebrated in August each year during the annual Fête du Lac, the grandiose lake festival that was born from the great “Venetian style” party thrown in 1860 to honor Napoleon III, and has evolved to integrate fireworks and new technologies.

In summer, the cold water of the lake offers a perfect place to cool off and escape the summer heat. Numerous beaches can be used for sunbathing and water sports, boating is a popular activity, and parasailing in the stunning landscape above the lake is also a widespread activity.

Visiting the City

The city isn’t too big or too small and is absolutely walkable, with many parks and green spaces. It is routinely awarded the "Villes et Villages Fleuris" label given only to the most-flowered French cities.

You just must explore Annecy’s charming and picturesque Old Town, with its shallow canals, colorful old buildings, and cobblestone streets, where you can enjoy the many restaurants, cafes, and ice cream shops while catching a glimpse of the mountains and lake in the distance. The Palais de I'Île is undoubtedly the most postcard-perfect site in Annecy. This distinctive castle-like building, often described as a “house in the shape of a ship” stands in the middle of the Thiou River. Dating back to the 12th century, it has been a prison, a courthouse, and later an administrative center.

Don't miss the Marché de la Vieille Ville (Farmers Market), which is held every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday from 7 AM to 1 PM; and where you can find a variety of locally produced, cheese, sausage, wine, bread, flowers, crafts, and much more.

You also can’t miss theMusée-Château d'Annecy, the medieval castle built in the 12th century on a hill overlooking the city.

The Promenade du Thiou is an easy and enjoyable stroll that starts from the Quai des Cordeliers and goes up the river, is a delightful way to discover the city.

Or you could also head towards the Jardins de l’Europe, a family-friendly park that sits on the edge of the lake, with boardwalks, playgrounds, and large grassy areas where you can enjoy a late afternoon picnic and devour that fresh bread, cheese, and fruits from the market while enjoying the stunning mountain scenery.

The Pont des Amours is another famous landmark and picturesque spot. Local legend says that lovers who kiss on the bridge will stay together for life. But stay away from the swans, they sure are pretty from a distance, but they can also be very territorial and downright hostile.

The city is also very bike-friendly, and there is also a wonderful bike path that allows you to go around the entire lake, an amazing experience and a great way to explore. The 42km cycle path generally takes around 3 hours to complete without stopping, but you should plan on stopping often to enjoy the amazing scenery!

There are also some amazing hiking spots around the city. With such amazing scenery, Annecy has a wonderful vibe and energy and is a great hub of active lifestyle in all seasons.

Experience Annecy's rich history

The shores of the lake have been occupied as far back as the Neolithic period. In 50 BC the Romans founded the vicus of Boutae on the site of a Gallic village. The little town was situated in a strategic position at the crossroads of three Roman routes: the first one leading to Genava (Geneva) to the north, the second to Aquae (Aix-les-Bains) to the south-west and the last to Casuaria (Faverges). Remnants of this are still present, and you can see a Roman column in Place Des Romains.

In the 8th century, following barbarian invasions, the population relocated to the hills on the rural domain of what is now Annecy-le-Vieux. It is believed that Annecy takes its name from the owner named Aniciacus.

There are many places where you can experience the region's rich history, the following medieval castles are well worth visiting:

• TheMusée-Château d'Annecy
• The Château de Menthon
• The Château & Estate of Montrottier

Where to stay when visiting Annecy

One of the most memorable experiences is guaranteed if you stay at the Auberge Du Père Bise - Jean Sulpice, located on the shores of Lake Annecy in Talloires. It is also home to one of the restaurants owned by Michelin-starred Chef Jean Sulpice, who cultivates a rare harmony with nature in his culinary creations.

If you are planning on exploring the higher parts of the alpine mountains, we recommend that you stay near Thônes and eventually make your way to Chamonix.

What and Where to eat in Annecy

Culinary specialties

The lake also provides some excellent fish that you simply must try in local restaurants, such as the Perche du Lac and the smoky Omble Chevalier fumé.

There are many favorite specialties that the locals love to eat in Annecy. With a long tradition of Alpine transhumance, leading cows between the valleys in winter and the high mountain pastures in summer, the region is of course famous for its cheeses, which are delicious. To name a few that you simply must try, there are the Reblochon, the Tomme de Savoie, the Mont d'Or, and many more. While there are many places where you can buy cheese and other local products in the region, our absolute favorite is the Coopérative de Thônes - le Farto.

Fun fact, the origin of the Reblochon cheese dates back to the 13th century, in the Alpine pastures of the Thônes valley. Farmers were forced to pay a grazing usage fee or tax (droit d’ociège) to wealthy landowners based on the amount of milk their herd would produce. Farmers started cleverly doing partial milking during the inspection, and a second milking after the inspectors left. That second milking became known locally as “la rebloche” from the verb “re-blocher” signifying to pinch the cow’s udder a second time. The cream-rich milk produced was perfect for making contraband cheese, and so the Reblochon was born!

These delightful local cheeses are also used in several local dishes, such as:

• Tartiflette, potatoes, onions, bacon strips, crème fraîche, all topped with delicious gooey melted Reblochon
• Raclette, a type of cheese so good it became a dish
• Fondue Savoyarde, the traditional cheese fondue
• Gratin Dauphinois, a delicious potatoes gratin

To accompany these dishes, the region also produces several delicious dry and cooking sausages such as Diots and produces some amazing white wines, look for the Vin de Savoie AOC label. Keep in mind that these caloric dishes are better appreciated in winter after a long day of amazing skiing on the endless slopes of these mountains' numerous ski resorts.

The region also produces some amazing fruits such as wild blueberries, raspberries, plums, apples, pears, and many more. They of course can be eaten raw, and also cooked in delicious pies and other scrumptious desserts. And of course, they are also available as liquors, such as the Genépi and the Williamine. The best way to sample them is to also try Annecy's signature Roseaux du lac, the delectable and crunchy chocolate creations filled with different liquors. Our favorite place to get them is at Meyer Le Chocolatier Annecy, and their other chocolate creations are also all out of this world.

Our favorite Restaurants

There are many excellent places to eat near Annecy, and it is not possible to list all of them, but here are a few places that stand out and made our favorite list.

For excellent views over the lake, try Les Terrasses du Lac and, especially Le Balcon du Lac (ex Edelweiss), where you can watch parasailers take flight above the lake. For a quick bite, try the Folie Royale.

For a more upscale and just as authentic experience, don't miss L'Esquisse and La Ferme des Vônezins.