Bonjour! Welcome to Annecy, the charming French town known as the Venice of the Alps. Picturesque canals, charming old town, colorful buildings, crystal-clear Lake Annecy, and the mighty Alps… all of these make Annecy a perfect destination for both adventure and culture lovers. At any time of the year, Annecy will provide visitors with lots of exciting attractions. But we need to warn you – this town is very easy to fall in love with! Here are our favorite things to do in Annecy, France. Let’s go!
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Our Annecy Travel Video
Annecy, France FAQ
Annecy is a beautiful French town located in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region on the northern tip of Lake Annecy. The town lies at an altitude of 448m a.s.l.
Absolutely! Annecy is a real gem and without a doubt one of the most beautiful towns in France. History, culture, outdoor activities, adventure, and relaxation… Add Annecy to your France bucket list, you definitely won’t regret it.
Annecy is best known for being called the Venice of the Alps. All thanks to its charming old town full of picturesque canals and bridges. The town is also famous for Lake Annecy with its crystal-clear waters and the mighty Alps in the background.
Annecy is a perfect destination for day trips, relaxing weekends, and longer stays. We recommend staying at least 3 days to see all the town can offer without rushing. If you’re short on time, a day trip to Annecy is still absolutely worthwhile.
If you’re looking to practice watersports, swim in the lake, or go on a hike – visit Annecy during late spring, summer, or early autumn. But if you enjoy admiring mountains covered in snow, exploring Christmas markets, or practicing skiing – winter will be perfect. Also, keep in mind that Annecy during summertime gets very crowded and much more expensive. It might be hard to find accommodation, so remember to book months in advance.
Annecy Travel Guide: Places To Explore
Annecy Old Town
Wandering around the Old Town is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Annecy. The network of canals, small bridges, iconic buildings, pastel-painted townhouses with colorful shutters, small shops, elegant restaurants… It’s a real treat! Also, don’t hesitate to wander in the smaller alleys and discover the secrets they hide.
Be sure to stop for a croissant (or other French baking good) or take a longer break just sitting, enjoying the views, and soaking in the town vibe. Don’t miss Rue Sainte-Claire, Annecy’s main street, filled with many old buildings, some dated to the 16-18th centuries.
Among Annecy Old Town, you’ll find points of interest like Palais de l’Isle, Musée-Château d’Annecy, some churches like Basilique de la Visitation or Eglise Saint-Maurice, Lovers’ Bridge, or Gardens of Europe.
Annecy Tourist Office is located just 5 minutes on foot from Gardens of Europe, on 1 Rue Jean Jaurès.
Palais de l’Isle
Palais de l’Isle, or The Island Palace in English, is one of the most-photographed places in Annecy, and even all of France. So be sure to add visiting this iconic place to your list of things to do in Annecy!
Palace was built on a small isle and splits the Le Thiou River into two canals. It’s a medieval construction and its oldest parts date to the 12th century! Palais de l’Isle first served as a prison, and later in the 14th century housed the Count of Geneva mint. In the 16th century, it was refitted to install rooms for the Courts of Justice. Now it’s a small museum with exhibitions about Annecy’s heritage and architecture where you can also visit prison cells, chapel, or old courtrooms.
Entrance costs to Palais de l’Isle depend on the season. In the summer months, it’s €5 for a normal ticket and €2.5 for a reduced one (March 2026). You can also buy a combined ticket with Château d’Annecy for €9 and save a buck. To check current prices and opening hours, visit the musees.annecy.fr website.
Museum-Castle of Annecy
Museum-Castle of Annecy is located on a small hill above the town. In the 13th and 14th centuries, it was a residence of the Counts of Geneva. Over the next two centuries, thanks to various modifications, the castle changed its look – medieval architecture was combined with the typical French style of castles seen in this region. It was abandoned as a residence in the 17th century and then used as military barracks until 1947. In the 1950s Chateau d’Annecy became a museum.
Entrance to Annecy Museum-Castle depend on the season – in the summer months it’s €7 for a normal ticket and €4 for a reduced one (March 2026). You can also buy a combined ticket with Palais de l’Isle for 9€ and save a buck. To check current prices and opening hours, visit the musees.annecy.fr website.
Lovers’ Bridge
Lovers’ Bridge (fr. Pont des Amours) is one of the most amazing places to visit in Annecy. It’s an iron bridge on the shore of Lake Annecy, connecting two parks: Jardins de l’Europe and Le Pâquier d’Annecy. Thanks to its spectacular views over the lake, canal, and mountains it’s a very popular, instagram-perfect spot. Legend has it that if lovers kiss on the bridge they’ll experience eternal love!
Gardens of Europe
Gardens of Europe (fr. Jardins de l’Europe) is a beautiful large park right next to Lake Annecy. Thanks to many shaded areas and beautiful views, the park is a perfect spot for a picnic, or just for a quick break during Annecy sightseeing. Bring a blanket and some French pastries, cheese, or wine, and enjoy your time while feeding the eyes and stomach. Spending some time here is one of the most relaxing things to do in Annecy!
Churches in Annecy
There are many churches in Annecy to admire and explore. So if this is something you like you’ll have plenty to choose from:
- Basilique de la Visitation is located on a hill watching the town and offering great views for visitors.
- Eglise Saint-Maurice is the oldest church in Annecy, dating back to the 15th century.
- Cathédrale Saint-Pierre was built in the 1500s but didn’t serve as a cathedral until the 1820s. It’s hidden on a side street close to Palais de l’Isle.
- Eglise Notre-Dame de Liesse was built in the mid-19th century, after the original church was destroyed during the French Revolution.
All of them are open to the public, free of visit during opening hours.
Activities around Lake Annecy
Lake Annecy (fr. Lac d’Annecy) is the third-largest lake in France. Its shimmering crystal-clear waters are considered the cleanest in Europe! Its maximum depth is 82m, while its average depth is 41m.
Lake sits between mountains, and besides stunning alpine landscapes, it offers a few beaches, walking paths, a circular cycling route, and many water sports opportunities. One thing is for sure – spending some time around the lake is one of the best things to do in Annecy, hard to forget.
Practise Watersports
If you’re a water sports enthusiast (or someone who wants to try something new) you’ll be happy to know that there is a huge number of activities available around. For example, you can choose swimming, paddleboarding, scuba diving, waterskiing, or wakeboarding. You can also rent a paddleboat or a small boat (no license needed) from one of many rental companies along the lake.
Lake Annecy beaches
If you’re not into water sports, you can head to one of the beaches alongside Lake Annecy to spend some relaxing time while enjoying the views. Maybe you’ll even take a dip in the lake’s crystal clear waters? Around Lake Annecy, you’ll find beaches like Plage d’Albigny – town’s main beach, Plage de l’Impérial, and Plage des Marquisats.
Biking around Lake Annecy
One of the best attraction in Annecy is to go on a scenic bike ride around the lake. The route is quite easy, but the length might seem a little discouraging for some – it’s 42km! It’s best to reserve the whole day, as it’s very likely that you’ll be stopping every now and then to admire stunning views.
It’s best to start and finish in Annecy, where you’ll also be able to rent a bike. During the ride, you can stop in places such as the village of Sevrier, Duingt, Menthon-Saint-Bernard, or Talloires. The route is open all year round.
Hiking routes near Annecy
How about going on a hike, or two? There are many routes near Annecy, with different levels of difficulty, offering amazing views over the lake, mountains, and surrounding areas. The most popular ones are Semnoz (1699m a.s.l.), Mont Veyrier (1291m a.s.l.), and La Tournette (2351m a.s.l, the highest peak in Annecy for more experienced hikers). For more hiking ideas visit alltrails.com or komoot.com.
Paragliding above Lake Annecy
Do you want to experience some thrills, see Lake Annecy from above and let yourself be carried by the wind? If so, then paragliding might be a perfect option for you. Actually, Annecy is considered one of the best paragliding destinations in Europe. There are some companies offering paragliding, prices start around €100 and it mostly depends on the time of the flight. Also, be sure to book ahead of time as it’s a very popular thing to do in Annecy.
Places to visit near Annecy
Menthon-Saint-Bernard Castle
Menthon-Saint-Bernard Castle is a fairytale castle that once inspired Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. It dates back to the 12th century and is located about 15km from Annecy. The castle stands on a hilltop overlooking Lake Annecy and is without a doubt one of the most beautiful Savoyard architectural jewels.
Entrance to Menthon-Saint-Bernard Castle costs €12 for adults, and €6 for children (March 2026). For current prices and opening hours, visit chateau-de-menthon.com website.
Gorges du Fier
Gorges du Fier, a place considered to be one of the natural wonders of the Alps, is located only 12km from the Annecy. It’s a stunning gorge carved by the waters of the Fier River, featuring a footbridge suspended 25m above it, built in 1869. The walk itself isn’t challenging (might be for people with a fear of heights) and it takes about an hour to complete. Hiking here is definitely one of the most spectacular things to do in Annecy.
Gorges du Fier is open from 15 March to 15 October. Entrance costs €6 for adults, and €3 for children (March 2026). For current prices and opening hours visit gorgesdufier.com website.
Montrottier Castle
Montrottier Castle is located close to Gorges du Fier, so it’s great to combine these two places on one trip. It dates to the 13th century, and inside you’ll find a huge collection of items like antique weapons, armor, furniture, or ceramics collected by Léon Mares, a 19th-century explorer and collector.
Château de Montrottier is open from April to November. Entrance costs €10 for a normal ticket, and €6 for children 6-15 (March 2026). For current prices and opening hours, visit the chateaudemontrottier.com website.
Travel tip. If you’ll be coming by car from Annecy, on Rte des Gorges du Fier you’ll find a nice viewpoint and photo spot on the side of the road. Check it out on Google Maps.
Explore local attractions
How to get to Annecy, France?
Annecy is located about 40km from Geneva, 80km from Evian-les-Bains, 100km from Chamonix, and 145km from Lyon. The most convenient way to get to Annecy is by car or train.
Where to park in Annecy?
There are many, mostly paid, parking lots in Annecy. We recommend leaving the car in this parking lot, located just 5min away from the old town. But be aware that this parking is getting full quickly so arrive early.
Airports near Annecy
The closest airports to Annecy are in Geneva (45km away) and Lyon (125km away). Both airports offer trains and bus connections to Annecy. To check the connections that interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
To Annecy by train
France is very well connected by trains. For example, a trip from Chamonix will take 3 hours 15 minutes, 2 hours from Lyon, and 3 hours 45 minutes from Paris. To learn more about train connections that might interest you visit sncf-connect.com or rome2rio.com website.
To Annecy by bus
You can also get to Annecy by bus. For example, the trip from Chamonix will take about 1.5 hours, 50 minutes from Geneva, and 2 hours from Lyon. To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
Camping in Annecy
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Camping Le Belvédère, Camping l’Horizon, or Camping Au Coeur du Lac might interest you. They are located in or close to the Annecy.
Annecy Travel Guide – Summing up
Ufff… That’s quite a lot of things to do for such a small town! France is full of charming places, but without a doubt, Annecy is one of the best! Whether you’ll visit for a day only or stay longer for couple of days, we’re sure you’ll have an amazing time in Annecy.
We hope our guide to the best things to do in Annecy helps you make the most of your visit and inspires you to explore even more beautiful corners of France. Enjoy your trip & bon voyage!
Our opinion about Annecy
For us, a visit to Annecy was a day trip from nearby Thonon-les-Bains where we lived for a few weeks. We visited the town in early June and during that time there were already quite a lot of tourists and the town was fairly busy. Exploring everything we wanted in Annecy, including trip to Montrottier Castle and hiking Gorges du Fier, took us about 8 hours
And what can we say… In a split second, we succumbed to Annecy’s charm and to this day we’re under its spell. Without a doubt, it’s one of our favorite places in France from which we have great memories. We’ll gladly come back one day!
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Annecy?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Annecy:
Aw Annecy is so beautiful! No wonder you had a hard time narrowing down your photos. I visited on a whim in 2014 and totally fell in love. Can’t wait to go again one day. Will have to try and time it for the alpine cow festival – how fun!
I really loved all the detail in this post – it’s got everything you need! I’ll definitely refer back if I’m ever planning a trip to Annecy. And the pictures are just stunning.