2025 Annecy Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in April)

Annecy, a small town in eastern France at the foot of the Alps, is close to Geneva, Switzerland, and nestled by Lake Annecy. The lake and mountain scenery are exceptionally tranquil and charming. During this Swiss free travel, we stayed one night in Chamonix, France, which allowed us to visit Annecy for a leisurely half-day. Annecy, surrounded by mountains and water, offers not only the beautiful peaks of the Alps but also the clear and clean Lake Annecy, which is perfect for water activities. A boat trip on the lake is definitely the best choice. The lake's water comes from the melting snow of the Alps, no wonder it's so clear. In addition, the Thiou River, which winds through the town of Annecy, is like a European fairy tale version of 'small bridges, flowing water, and homes.' From a distance, you can see St. Francis Church on the shore and the Island Palace in the river. The European version of a water town has a unique romantic feel. Taking a walk on a sunny day is truly delightful.

Annecy, often referred to as the “Pearl of the French Alps,” is a picturesque town that enchants visitors with its stunning landscapes, historic charm, and vibrant culture. Located in southeastern France, Annecy is nestled along the shores of Lake Annecy, one of Europe’s cleanest lakes, and surrounded by breathtaking alpine peaks. The town’s medieval old quarter, Vieille Ville, is a highlight for many travelers. Its cobblestone streets, pastel-colored houses adorned with flower boxes, and winding canals give it a fairy-tale ambiance. Landmarks like the Château d’Annecy, a restored castle-turned-museum, and the Palais de l’Île, a 12th-century prison in the middle of a canal, offer a glimpse into the town’s rich history. Lake Annecy is the crown jewel of the region. Its turquoise waters invite a range of activities, including swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing. Cyclists and walkers will enjoy the well-maintained paths that circle the lake, offering breathtaking views at every turn. In the winter, Annecy serves as a gateway to nearby ski resorts, making it a year-round destination. Annecy is also a haven for food lovers. Local specialties like tartiflette, raclette, and fondue reflect the Alpine region’s culinary traditions, while the town’s patisseries and restaurants offer a taste of French sophistication. While Annecy can get crowded during the peak summer months, its charm remains intact. The locals are friendly, and the town’s blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage ensures that every visitor finds something to love. Whether you’re exploring its historic streets, enjoying the pristine lake, or savoring the local cuisine, Annecy is a destination that leaves a lasting impression.

Lake Annecy (Lac d’Annecy) is renowned as the clearest lake in France. The lake's water comes from the melting snow of the Alps, shimmering a bright green under the sunlight. The flowing water runs through the entire town, surrounding the outer meadows. One of the most popular activities for tourists here is boating. You can row a small wooden boat yourself, join a group on a sightseeing boat, or even board a larger cruise ship docked at the other pier. There are many different boating companies along the lakeside, allowing you to sign up and depart immediately. A trip around the lake can take an entire day. There is also a Lovers' Bridge (Pont des Amours), the busiest and most crowded one. From the bridge, you can see a vast view of Lake Annecy, making it a perfect spot for photography. It takes about 15 minutes to walk from the train station to the Castle Square. A loop around the old town can be done in an hour, but if you want to take your time, it might take half a day. It's an ideal place for a day trip. There are many restaurants and shops around. Compared to traditional French cities, they resemble Switzerland more, whether in terms of food, the accent of the French language, or the personality of the residents. 🚴 Transportation: From Geneva: It is recommended to take the Eurolines or Flixbus from Geneva's Gare Routiere bus station, which takes about 45-55 minutes. You can also take a train from Geneva's train station. Recommendation: Spending about half a day exploring Lake Annecy and its surroundings should be sufficient.

#Overseas travel I'll introduce you to Annecy, where French people want to live after retirement🤗 ⭐️Location: Le Palais de I'Île (3 Pass. de l'Île, 74000 Annecy, France) 🍯Information: ✔️It's so beautiful that French people want to live there after retirement✨ ✔️There's a separate lake and it's great for walking💚 ✔️It's about 3-4 hours away from Paris! ✔️It's a small city, but it's really beautiful👍🏻

#timetotravel Pont des Amours can be translated into “Love Bridge” in english. It is indeed a very romantic bridge with love locks, overlooking the Swiss alps. I always question why did I visit with my sister and not my boyfriend 🙄 It is hard to miss Pont des Amours when you are in Annecy because it is along the shores of the lake of Annecy. I went to Annecy with no agenda and barely opened by google maps and I found myself stumbling across this bridge randomly!! #annecy #france #境外遊

#Emotional Accommodation This is an Airbnb located 7 minutes on foot from Annecy Station. The front door is hidden, but it has a local feel ✨ I prefer Airbnb to hotels and hostels, where I can get into the local life. This place is especially good for art, so I was able to see unique interiors. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes on foot to Annecy Old Town! It was a private room for me, so I didn't bump into the host, so I was able to use it more comfortably. 📍Annecy, France

I was recommended by a French to visit this beautiful place and indeed the scenery is spectacular! There are a lot of tourists during the summer and I still recommend visiting this amazing place.

#swimmingpool #france #annecy #annecylake 🏊🏼‍♀️ The cool and clear Annecy Lake is a natural swimming pool. I rented a manual paddle boat and swam in the clear and deep water of Annecy Lake to cool off from the summer heat. It was really refreshing and cool because it was freshwater. Annecy Lake is the best swimming pool created by nature.

Lake Annecy is probably the most famous and visited place in the city of Annecy. Getting there is pretty easy as it is located in downtown and all drivers know where is located or you can stay in nearby hotels. The recommended sightseen time is between one to two hours. Lake’s water has a beautiful light green shade, you might think the pics are photoshopped but this is the real color. Boats are available for rent. If you travel with friends or a family trip with kids then a medium size boat could be a great option to enjoy the lake and keep the kids busy. After the visit, you can also enjoy some shopping or nice food as there are many restaurants and shops around the area. #createwithtrip #france #annecy #lakeannecy

Annecy old town Address - Quai de l'Évêché, 74000 Annecy, France Highlights - Beautiful architecture right in the centre of this alpine town Avg. Price per Person - Free Rating - 5/5 If you happen to be passing by Annecy on the way to Chamonix or some of the other alpine towns, do take a couple hours to stroll down this gorgeous town with it’s cobblestones walkways and old shops. Stop by some of the local Bouchons or restaurants for some French cuisine or even Gelato when it gets hot in the summer. the views along the canal set against the backdrop of the French mountains will definitely be worth your while.

Another landmark that you must not miss is the Palais de I'lle. This place used to be a prison. It is currently undergoing renovations and is a selling point for the city. Both sides of the road are full of restaurants, bars and souvenir shops. #annecy #frence #traveleurope

A large waterfront park, Jardins de l'Europe or Gardens of Europe, has a great atmosphere. People come to relax. Along the way, we will see the Campagnie Bateaux Du Lac D’Annacy boat pier, which is a tourist boat that goes out to see the view and has dinner on the boat in the early evening. There is a large red and white boat called Libellule docked at the pier. During this winter season, the boat will depart at 3:00 p.m. and will take 1 hour. The boat will take us to see the view of the cities around Lake Annecy, but the boat will not stop for us to get off (if it is in the summer, there will be a route that we can go down to various cities). #winterseatravel #annecy #traveleurope

If you go to Annecy, in addition to the beauty of this city, please don’t miss the drugstores here! ! ! ! ! Annecy is very famous and many foreigners come here to visit. But in addition to the beautiful scenery, the prices in the drugstores are also very attractive! #goout

#travelinspiration #wintergetaway

summer vibes in Annecy - France. great weather to walk in the narrow streets which offers plenty of coffee shops and restaurants to enjoy great wine and amazing french food. #annecy #france #awesomepic

Annecy has the reputation of "Venice of the Alps" and "Alpine Pearls". The waters of Annecy come from the alpine snow and rain of the Alps. The town also preserves the scenery of the Middle Ages. Walking through it gradually realizes the existence of time. Compared to the Austrian town of Ha, Annecy has the unique romantic temperament of the French, it is difficult to make people love.

The small town of Annecy, France, is old and elegant. The blue mountains and the canals that pass through the city, the row upon row, the densely colored houses, and the green trees and flowers on the ground make up the beauty of the paradise, and are rated as one of the six charming towns in the world. There are not only beautiful natural landscapes, but also many well-preserved old buildings. The Old City is a typical European city. Huihe twists and turns through the entire old town, the riverside old houses are like forests, many buildings were built in the 12th to 17th centuries and have been preserved to this day. The ancient stone roads are still medieval, and most of them are opened as pedestrian streets. The small streets along the river are open-air cafes, souvenir shops, hotels and restaurants, and the flowers in front of the arcades of the buildings and across the river.

#EuropeanTravel Annecy is a picturesque city located at the foot of the French Alps, with a clear lake and medieval streets. Lake Annecy is beautiful with its clear water and the reflection of the surrounding mountains. The old town is filled with cute buildings and canals, giving it the feel of a fairy tale. You can see local Alpine specialties and handicrafts at the local market. It is the perfect travel destination to take a leisurely walk and heal!✨ 📍Annecy Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

Annecy

#Traveling Abroad Annecy is a small town in France surrounded by the Alps. With scenery that seems as if it was cut out of a page in a fairy tale, this place is truly a "romantic paradise that you want to visit at least once in your life"! With this complete guide, make your French dream come true💙 🌸 Best season | When is the best time to go? 🔹 April to June 🌷: Tulips and wisteria flowers color the canals, and swans dance gracefully on the emerald lake. A golden season for photography lovers! 🔹 September to October 🍁: The season when autumn leaves paint the old town a caramel color. There are few tourists, so it's a chance to have the medieval tranquility all to yourself! 💎 TOP 5 spots you definitely want to visit ❶ Lake Annecy | The "blue tears" of the Alps 💦 A dreamlike landscape created by a crystal clear lake and snow-capped mountains! ✨ Recommended ways to enjoy: ✔ Boat rental ⛵️ Take a blue rowboat to the center of the lake. The shadows of the snowy mountains blend into the water, shining like stardust✨ ✔ Cycling 🚴♀️ A 20km rainbow road that circles the lake! You can visit 12 scenic spots along the way, so take a commemorative photo with the swans at Baie des Anges📸 ❷ Pont des Amours | A romantic promised place 💖 The bridge where philosopher Rousseau and his lover Madame Warin pledged their love! ✨ Recommended ways to enjoy: ✔ Aim for sunset! 🏙️ The moment when the sunset paints the bridge in rose gold is the most romantic✨ ✔ Secret photo spot 📷 A bench in the shade of a plane tree on the east side of the bridge. From here, you can frame the church spire + S-shaped curve of the canal together! ❸ Old Town (Vieille Ville) | A fairy tale land reflected on the cobblestones 🏡 Honey-colored stone houses, colorful flowers reflected on the canals... No matter where you look, the townscape is picturesque✨ ✨ Recommended ways to enjoy: ✔ Tour the 12th century Gothic churches ⛪️ You can encounter medieval history every time you turn a corner! ✔ The iconic "Island Palace" 🏰 The triangular stone castle stands like a boat floating on the river. Don't miss the prison cell with graffiti left by medieval prisoners👀 ❹ European Gardens (Jardins de l'Europe) | A secret picnic spot only locals know about 🌿 Cherry blossom storms in April, and fantastic beauty of lavender fields in June! ✨ Recommended ways to enjoy: ✔ Rent a mint green bicycle and take a leisurely ride from the island in the center of the lake to the forest cycling road 🚲 ✔ Bring some wine and cheese and have a picnic on the grass 🧀🍷 ❺ Château d’Annecy | A castle in the sky watching over a small town 🏯 A spectacular spot overlooking the townscape lined with red roofs! ✨ Recommended time of day: ✔ Around 4pm is recommended! The sunlight paints the small town gold, creating a magical landscape 🪄 🚤 An experience unique to Annecy ✔ Wait for the morning mist on Lake Annecy at 6am. The moment the swans emerge from the veil of mist is truly fantastic! 🦢✨ ✔ The International Animation Film Festival in June is a pilgrimage event for anime fans! Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli team also frequently visits this place 🎥 🏰 Come and take a trip to Annecy, where you'll feel like you've wandered into a fairy tale world! 💙

#EuropeanTravel #Annecy #FranceTravel 📍Annecy is located in southeastern France, close to the Swiss border!🇫🇷🇨🇭 📍You can get to Annecy from Lyon or Geneva by train or bus in less than 2 hours, so it is very accessible and is a tourist destination that many domestic tourists visit👍 📍It is especially popular as a weekend trip destination and is also considered a resort city✨ 📍The alleyways and local Marché (market) in the old town along the canal are recommended tourist points✨ 📍We recommend touring Annecy Lake - Old Town - Park in that order😎

#EuropeanTravel #FranceTravel #Annecy 📍Location: Central and southern France Annecy, France, is a charming small city located at the foot of the Alps🇫🇷 It is said that the clear blue Lake Annecy and the medieval old town are so beautiful that it is also called the Venice of France👍 Many tourists visit France to enjoy leisurely walks, boat rides, and bicycle tours during the weekend✨ It is close to Switzerland, so the natural environment and neat city atmosphere are really impressive😍 I highly recommend it to those who want to travel to a French resort city💛

#EuropeanTravel #FranceTravel 📍Located in the Haute-Savoie region in southeastern France 📍Tourist points: Old town, Lake Annecy (We recommend water activities such as swimming and boating👍) 📍It's so beautiful that it's called the Venice of France, so the lake and old town are a must-see💛 📍How to get there from Paris 🚇 Take the TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon It takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes, direct 📍How to get there from Lyon 🚊Take the SNCF from Lyon Part-Dieu It takes an average of 1 hour and 48 minutes, direct

After soaking in the autumn beauty of Lyon, I headed to Annecy, an absolutely stunning town nestled in the French Alps. Known as the “Venice of the Alps”, Annecy is everything you could dream of and more. The transition from Lyon to Annecy felt like stepping into a whole new world — smaller, quieter, yet just as magical. The Beauty of Annecy’s Lake and Surroundings The centerpiece of Annecy is its lake, surrounded by the breathtaking Alps, which look even more dramatic in the autumn light. The lake’s crystal-clear waters reflect the colorful fall leaves on the trees, and the mountains in the distance add a stunning backdrop. I spent hours just wandering along the lakeside, taking in the serenity of it all. The Charming Old Town Annecy’s Old Town (Vieille Ville) is a labyrinth of narrow, winding streets lined with colorful medieval buildings and charming shops. Walking through the streets felt like stepping back in time. The canals that run through the town make it feel even more magical, and the sight of the Palais de l'Isle, a 12th-century castle sitting in the middle of a canal, was just surreal. Autumn Colors Everywhere Just like Lyon, Annecy was bursting with autumn colors. The fall foliage on the trees surrounding the lake and along the streets was breathtaking. The cool, crisp air made it perfect for strolling and soaking in the beauty of the town. It was truly one of those places where every corner felt like a postcard. Food and Relaxation by the Lake After a long walk, I treated myself to some delicious local specialties, including tartiflette and savoyard cheeses, which were just perfect for the autumn weather. Dining at a lakeside restaurant while enjoying the view of the mountains and lake was a peaceful, unforgettable experience. Annecy has a way of making you slow down and savor the moment. Overall Annecy is the perfect combination of natural beauty, history, and charm. Whether you’re exploring its quaint old town, relaxing by the lake, or enjoying the surrounding Alps, this town is a dream come true, especially in the autumn. If you're looking for a picturesque and peaceful spot in France, Annecy should definitely be on your travel list! #Annecy #LakeAnnecy #VeniceOfTheAlps #AutumnTravel #FrenchAlps #TravelFrance #CharmingTowns #FallInEurope #AlpineAdventure

On my trip to Geneva I managed to do 2 countries in a ONE day.....Annecy. Great experience, highly recommended.

#springwander Things to Do: • Stroll along the scenic Lake Annecy, famous for its crystal-clear waters and mountain views. • Wander through Vieille Ville (Old Town), with its colorful houses, canals, and cobblestone streets. Tips: • Spring is ideal for fewer crowds and blooming flowers along the canals. • Rent a bike and ride the scenic lakeside cycling path. • Try local specialties like tartiflette and Savoyard fondue in the Old Town. #myitinerary #naturalwonders #couplestrip

When I arrived, I thought I knew why 🏞️Annecy Lake, the second largest lake in France, was so pretty with its emerald color, and the swans swimming leisurely were perfect… ✨ How nice would it be to swim in the lake in the summer..🏊♂️ 🏘️ When I went into the old town where the shops were gathered, there were colorful buildings along the waterway, so it felt like I was looking at Venice ☕️ I was eating coffee and croissants at a pretty cafe, so it was great to just walk around and do nothing! 🥗 The food I bought at a takeout place I happened to go into was so delicious that I still remember it.. Macaroni salad and octopus dish🐙💗 Annecy #Please refer to it when planning your travel itinerary 😊 #Annecy #LakeAnnecy #France #FranceTravel

I would like to introduce the Palais de Lille in France! This medieval historical building and the river that flows through it are so beautiful that the townscape is so wonderful that it is called the Venice of France. There are also stylish cafes and shops around here, so it is fun just to walk around, so please go and check it out! 🚶 There were few people in the morning, so it was easy to take photos, but it got quite crowded in the afternoon, so be careful! 📍Location: 3 Pass. de l'Île, 74000 Annecy, France #0 yen trip February 2025