Annecy is a small town in France that I stumbled upon several months ago whilst researching the country. It frequently popped up in lists as one of the most beautiful small towns in France, and a must visit for anyone to the region. On my recent visit to Europe, I had Annecy high on my wish list, yet never expected to actually make it. I was ecstatic when the opportunity actually arose, and will always be grateful that I then spent enough time there to now be writing my Complete Guide to Annecy.
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So what makes Annecy so wonderful?
It is simply a beautiful town, with everything that anyone could want or imagine in their “idyllic” town. Lake Annecy is one of the clearest and most incredibly picturesque lakes that you will ever see. It is surrounded by a dramatic backdrop of snow capped peaks, and is consistently rated as the cleanest lake in France. Around the shoreline are large, green parklands, and in the warmer months the hiking is incredible.
For most visitors though, it is the old town area that draws visitors by the thousands. Colorful buildings, hidden alleys, castles, churches, fortresses, and clean flowing canals that honeycomb the township abound in Annecy. Visitors to the town are spoilt for choice of what to do with their time, and are almost always sorry that they didn’t spend more time in the town.
In this Guide to Annecy, I will take a look at what there is to do in Annecy, how to get there, and touch on important subjects such as where to stay.
Table of Contents
- Where is Annecy?
- Best time to visit Annecy
- How to get to Annecy
- Things to do in Annecy
- Annecy Day Trips and Tours
- Where to stay in Annecy
- How to get around
- Summary
Where is Annecy?
Annecy is located in South Eastern France, not far from the Swiss Border. It is an “Alps Town” and due to the canals that interlace the town, is often referred to as the “Venice of the Alps”.
Annecy can be found laying along the Northern shoreline of Lake Annecy. It is approximately 35 km South of Geneva, and 100 km East of Lyon.
Best time to visit Annecy
The very best time to visit Annecy, France, is from Mid June to about Mid September. This will give you the best weather to explore it all and enjoy it to the fullest. If you are looking to avoid the crowds, then try the shoulder season on either side, so around May and late September to October.
Winter in Annecy can get quite cold, and I personally have visited at the end of winter. While I still found it pleasant enough to walk around on a sunny day, you will still need decent, warm clothes. The upside is that there are a lot less crowds, and if you enjoy winter sports, Annecy is really close to some great resorts.
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How to get to Annecy
There are many ways to get to Annecy, something that I really was not personally aware of when I first decided to visit. I was then pleasantly surprised to find out how easy it actually was. After doing a bit of research, I also discovered that the first and most obvious method is usually not the cheapest or most economical!
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So let’s quickly run through the Guide to Annecy options of the best ways to get there.
- Fly – The most obvious way to get to anywhere is flying. Annecy is no exception, and with many visitors using it as a base in the Winter months to snow ski, the local airports get quite a workout. Annecy Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc airport is the closest, at only 7km from the town. Geneva is the closest international airport 50 km away, and Lyon International airport is 125 km away. Both of these major airports have train and bus connections.
- Train – The train lines run from all major centers to Annecy. Getting from Lyon or Geneva to Annecy is easy, and with the town being well connected into the major train networks, you can reach the lakeside town from as far afield as Paris, with up to 27 trains running the route every day. Click HERE for train tickets and prices.
- Bus – There are buses to Annecy from nearly anywhere in France, Switzerland and Italy. Multiple buses run nearly every day from Lyon, and if you are flying into Lyon or Geneva, bus is one of the most common connection options. Personally, I like to use Flixbus, as they have the best prices, the most routes, and the buses are good quality and safe. For the best bus prices, click HERE.
- Road – There are major roads running right past Annecy, providing a spiderweb of networks all around the region. Getting to Annecy is simple if you have a car, and is also quick! It takes a little over an hour to drive from Lyon, and by road, Geneva is only a stone’s throw away.
- Bla Bla Car – Ok, so when I arrived in France, I had never heard of Bla Bla Car. It is basically a car pooling app that is so simple to use, and you can literally go anywhere in France by simply hitching a ride and only paying a few Euro for petrol. Does it get any better? You will find many trips listed on the app if you are heading to Annecy, especially from the International airports. Just arrange to be picked up along the way!
Guide to Annecy tip – Do your research. When I visited recently I was about to book the train, when I found Flixbus was a lot cheaper. I was about to book THAT, when I discovered Bla Bla Car. The price difference? Train was about 30 Euro, and Bla Bla Car cost me 8 Euro!
Things to do in Annecy
Annecy is an extremely beautiful little town, and just wandering around it once is simply not enough. Spend a few days there, and you will find yourself constantly returning to the same spots just to “soak it all in”. On one day, I walked 25 kilometers, just circling the town and lake time and again, enjoying every single step that I took.
While you don’t need to go to those lengths in such as small town, there are still quite a few places to see and things you just HAVE to do. Here are my Guide to Annecy favorites.
- Explore Vieille Ville – The “old town” of Annecy is extraordinary. It is right up there at the top of the list when it comes to old town’s around Europe, and I would rate it in my top two along with Plovdiv, Bulgaria. In Annecy, you will find ancient fortress’s, churches, colorful shops and buildings, quaint cafes, and a glorious network of fresh flowing canals that keep everything cool and comfortable.
- Lake Annecy – The lake itself is glorious. The water is crystal clear, and there is no doubt as to why it is rated the cleanest lake in France. If getting in or even out onto the water isn’t your thing, then just sitting and enjoying the views can take up hours of your time. This has to be one of the most scenic lakes in the world, from the swans peacefully paddling past, to the backdrop of alps that form the perfect outlook, especially on a blue sky day!
- Enjoy the sun in Jardins de l’Europe – The famous lakeside parks around the northern side of the lake are amazing places to just while away the time. On one side, the tree lined paths are dotted with modern sculptures and fountains. On the other, the wide open grassy spaces are perfect for the kids to play, or to stretch your legs along the pathways. Everywhere though, the views abound, and you will constantly find your eyes drifting away toward the nearby peaks of the alps.
- Stroll across Pont Des Amours – This popular bridge is located between the two main parks, spanning the small canal that separates them. It is known as a “lover’s bridge” and at any time of the day you will find couples posing for photos at the peak of the span. The beautiful backdrop of the lake and mountains makes it the best choice for photos for anyone though, not just lovers.
- Grab a photo at the Palais de I’lle – Probably the most photographed and popular spot in the entire town is this medieval fortress located right in the middle of the Le Thiou. The waters of the river split into two as they pass around the fortress and continue their flow through Annecy. Spots on the bridge can be at a premium during peak season as it is the best place to view it or take photos from.
- Visit the museum at Chateau de Annecy – At the top of the steep road right behind the old town, you will find this medieval castle. It presides over the town and lake, and can be seen from nearly anywhere. Make the climb and enjoy the wonderful views, or pay to enter the museum to see what life was like in yesteryear.
Guide to Annecy tip – Use this list as a simple guide. The best way to discover and explore Annecy though, is to just wander the streets. Spend enough time and you will not miss anything, as it is all relatively easy to find if you stroll down enough streets. It is not a really big town, and getting lost is the most fun part of traveling. At least, I think it is!
Annecy Day Trips and Tours
Annecy is situated in one of the most beautiful regions of France, and many of the best things to do around the region are easy to reach from the town. There are also plenty of fast ways to see Annecy itself if you are short of time and want a guide to move you along faster.
Here are the Guide to Annecy best day trips and tours.
- Private Walking Tour of Annecy’s Historical Center – I have always been a big fan of walking tours to really learn about a new city or town. Unfortunately the free walking tours that you will get in the larger cities cannot be found everywhere. This tour in Annecy will allow you to customize your discovery of one of Europe’s gems, and make sure that you miss nothing. Check it out HERE.
- Annecy 1 hour Segway Tour – This tour will fast track your discovery of the Annecy area with the use of your own personal transporter. A full 15 minute instruction is followed by a trip to all of the very best places, seeing the most beautiful views along the way. Click HERE to find out more.
- Annecy – Self Guided Scavenger hunt and self guided tour – This game can be played on your mobile phone, taking you around the town as you solve riddles while discovering all of the best sights and places in Annecy. You can stretch it out over a few days, or try to crack the codes in just one day if you are good enough! A great way for kids to stay engaged and enjoy the town. Click HERE for more.
- Discover Gorges du Fier – This incredible gorge is located only a short distance from Annecy, and unmissable if you are in the area for a few days. It is easy to get to by car, although there are no actual organized tours that I can recommend. Don’t let that put you off though, as even the local bus will take you close enough that you can hike to this incredible natural wonder that features wooden walkways suspended 25 meters above the river carved through the canyon.
- Go Snow Skiing – Annecy is close to some wonderful winter resorts, even if they are not as famous as others that are further afield in more well known locations in the Alps. What you will find around Annecy though, is less of a crowd with snow that is just as good!
Guide to Annecy tip – Do a guided walking tour on the first day. This will take you to all of the best and most popular spots. Even if you don’t get time to take photos, you can come back straight to those spots later when there is less crowd.
Where to stay in Annecy
Although Annecy is not a very large town, when you visit you typically want to stay as close to the historical center as possible. As is usual with most towns though, this is where you will find the more expensive accommodation. The more budget places can be a little further afield, but still within easy distance. Finding them is the trick!
So here at the Complete Guide to Annecy, I have done the legwork for you. These are my picks for the best places to stay in Annecy, covering all budgets.
If you are in a hurry, click the button below for a quick link to the Booking.com page for Annecy.
Luxury
IMPERIAL PALACE
Anyone that has visited Annecy will know this place. It isn’t located right in the city center, and is a fair walk to get around the lake, but the stay is worth it. The hotel is amazing, and the views of the lake and alps are without comparison. If you are looking for somewhere special to stay in Annecy, then give the Imperial Palace a look!
RIVAGE HOTEL AND SPA ANNECY
A beautiful hotel and spa located not too far away from the Imperial Palace listed above. A short distance from town, it is located on the northern side of the lake with wonderful views. Rooms are spacious and well equipped, and guests are always raving about the dinner and breakfast options available.
Mid Range
HOTEL BONLIEU
Hotel Bonlieu is all about location and service. Within good, easy distance of the train station, parks, lake and old town makes it a favorite of many visitors. Rooms are a decent size, and the service of staff makes stays at the Hotel Bonlieu a pleasure.
HOTEL CATALPA
Located really close to the lake and parks once again, the Hotel Catalpa is simply a nice, comfortable place to stay. There are plenty of amenities, services and restaurants around to make life easy, and the neighborhood is nice and quiet.
Budget
HOTEL DE CHATEAU
Although it wouldn’t be rated a budget hotel in most towns, in Annecy it is. This hotel is a real hidden gem though. Sitting on top of a hill it has wonderful views of the mountains, rooms are clean and comfortable, and it is nice and close to everything. Just be ready for a bit of a walk up the hill at the end of your day.
ATIPIK HOTEL ALEXANDRA ANNECY
Perfectly located close to the center of town, you could not get better for the price. A short stroll from both the train station, bus terminal, and the main attractions in the center make the Atipik Hotel a favorite for those on a tighter budget. Add to that nice rooms and breakfasts, and you are onto a sure fire winner.
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How to get around
Getting around in Annecy, France is simple. Walk!
The town is not big, and if you are staying anywhere near the center, you can walk anywhere. The streets are easy and pedestrian friendly, and all through the old town it is pedestrian only zones. Around the lake are beautiful walking paths and cycle paths. Just stay out of the way of the cyclists as they fly along those paths!
If you want to get further afield or are staying further out, there is a great bus service around town as well. You can easily buy tickets and ride the bus into the center, or out to locations further afield like Gorge du Fier.
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Summary
That’s it for my Complete Guide to Annecy France. I hope you have enjoyed it, and it helps to make your visit to Annecy easier and more enjoyable. It’s a wonderful place to visit, and I personally cannot wait to return in the near future.
Also, don’t forget to check out my article of all the best places to eat in Annecy if you are traveling on a strict budget!
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