Around Lake Annecy

There's nothing more poetic than a lakeside town. Annecy is best discovered in the late autumn mists, when the grey hues of the lake waters and morning mists are brightened by the yellow or russet tones of the trees in their autumn jackets, but also in midsummer, when you stroll along the turquoise waters surrounded by slopes in various shades of green.

But what about a walk in spring, when the last of the snow covers the Tournette heights in white, providing a backdrop for the flowering trees that line the lakeside roads.

And what a marvel it is in winter, when the snow makes the surprise of covering everything in white, from the banks of the lake to the top of the peaks, with all this candor framed by the azure blue of a winter sky and the deep blue of the waters of Lake Annecy. Lake Annecy.

It's hard to say whether it's more romantic than its neighbor Le Bourget, or more chic than its neighbor Lake Geneva, but it's clear that Lake Annecy is extremely photogenic, both from its shores and from the surrounding peaks.

Annecy, a mountain town... by the lake!

When, from the streets of Annecy, you can glimpse reliefs covered in forest in summer and snow in winter, when in less than half an hour's drive you can be well above 1,000 m altitude on the Semnoz or Mont Veyrier, and when in less than an hour you can be at the foot of the slopes of the Aravis ski areas (La Clusaz, Le Grand Bornand, Manigod) or La Sambuy, then, yes, you can say thatAnnecy is clearly a mountain town.

But what's more, when in summer you have the choice between hiking on the outskirts of the town or swimming just a few metres from the town's monuments, you realize just how much fun a vacation in this region can be in any season!

Annecy is also a very pretty town, with its narrow medieval streets at the foot of the château, and its quays along the Thiou - the river that leaves the lake to join the Rhône - where it's hard to make your way in summer when you're sharing them with café terraces. And, of course, we can't forget the banks of the lake: the Jardin de l'Europe, the Champ de Mars and the Pâquier, from which you can see the entire length of the lake.

We'll also take a photo in front of the Palais de l'Île, or on the Pont des Amours, which turn Annecy into a sort of little Venice of the Alps.

Around Lake Annecy

Once you've done the city tour, you're ready to start the lake tour. The sunnier west shore in the morning, and the sunnier east shore in the evening, each with its own wonders and landscapes.

In fine weather, the best way to get an overview of the lake is to sail it, especially between Annecy and Talloires. After the promontory of Duingt, opposite Talloires, Lake Annecy becomes tighter and wilder, and its romantic side fades with distance.

Stop off at the beaches of Sévrier, Saint Jorioz, Talloires or Menthon Saint-Bernard.

We'll stroll beneath the castles of Duingt - which can't be visited - and Menthon Saint-Bernard - which can - and stroll through the narrow streets of Talloires before enjoying a coffee on the lakeside.

The more sporty will enjoy hiking or cycling up the Semnoz, Mont Veyrier or Col de la Forclaz to take in the breathtaking panoramas on arrival. But the less sporty will also be able to admire the same landscapes by taking a very short drive (just a few minutes).

And the mountains ?

Adventurers who want to see the lake through to the end can continue on to the Massif de la Sambuy above Faverges, on the road to Albertville. And why not try the thrill of a four-season toboggan down six hundred metres of track! In winter, they can ski at the small family ski resort of La Sambuy.

The same adventurers can also discover the southern foothills of the Aravis massif, near Serraval and Le Bouchet, or climb to the summit of La Tournette, the emblem of Lake Annecy.

And around Annecy?

AroundAnnecy, there's plenty to discover.

Discover the Bauges, the unspoilt Savoyard region where chalets are dotted in the valleys and along the wooded slopes of this mountain range between Annecy and Chambéry.

The gorges du FierYou'll be able to walk along suspended galleries clinging to the smooth rock faces between which the river Fier flows wildly.

The Aravis with its traditional mountain resorts: a village squeezed around its church topped by a handsome bell tower, and wooden chalets that wind their way up the mountainsides into the forests. Stroll around La Clusaz or Le Grand Bornand and discover the picturesque hamlets that surround them.

Last but not least, don't miss the Plateau des Glières, famous for its Resistance exploits, but also for its magnificent cross-country ski trails and unspoilt mountain scenery.

Annecy is the gateway to the Alps for many French tourists and visitors. They often don't stop here, or stay just to take a few photos by the lake, but this region offers many opportunities for all those who love the mountains, old stones and beautiful landscapes, and who, in summer, also want to sample the pleasures of bathing in water at 24 degrees.

You may also be interested in these articles