The 11 Best Things to Do in Annecy, France

There’s a reason that Annecy is a much-loved summer destination for the French. This alpine town lies about an hour south of Geneva and at the northern tip of France’s Lake Annecy. The winding canals in the quaint old town have earned Annecy the title of the ‘Venice of the Alps’ whereas the enticing blue waters of the lake attract summer visitors from France and beyond every year.

With a quaint old town, plenty of watersports and outdoor activities, and some impressive landmarks, a trip to Annecy can be as adventurous or relaxing as one desires. This easy guide to the best things to do in Annecy will take you through the highlights and make planning your trip to Annecy so much easier.

Whether you spend a weekend here or just take a day trip to Annecy, it’s sure to be a haven of spectacular views, peaceful streets, and inviting waters, where you can try hiking, biking, watersports, or simply stroll the streets and discover some beautiful landmarks.

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The Best Things to Do in Annecy

Take a Stroll Around Lake Annecy

Annecy’s main attraction is the lake that takes its name from the city itself – Lake Annecy. This glacial lake is one of the largest in France and boasts beautiful blue water and mountain views.

Annecy lies on the north side of the lake, and a stroll along the top is as peaceful as it is picturesque. As you walk along the spacious promenade, you can see the Pont Des Amours, Annecy’s love lock bridge, and the stunning Imperial Palace hotel. Dedicated paths stretch around the east and west sides of the lake, so you can extend your walk to the outskirts of Annecy and take in all the views.

Try Some Watersports

If not walking around Lake Annecy, why not get out on the water? In the summer months, water temperatures are very pleasant. The beaches and grassy banks will be lined with sunbathers, and the waters filled with swimmers, pedalos, water slides, boats, and more.

You’ll also find more adventurous water activities, like paddleboarding, wakeboarding, and scuba diving. Pop into the tourist information office for info on hiring a pedalo or boat, or check out this watersports guide to find watersports activities around Lake Annecy.

Discover Annecy’s Old Town

La Vieille Ville, or the Annecy old town, is a maze of canals, islands, bridges, hidden streets, and charming architecture. The medieval area offers an insight into Annecy’s history whilst soaking up the incredible surroundings.

One of the best things to do in Annecy is simply to get lost in the streets of the old town, but look out for these top spots:

• Le Palais de l’Île
• Château d’Annecy
• Cathédrale Saint-Pierre
• Porte Perrière, part of the old city walls of Annecy
• Pont Rue de la République

See Le Palais de l’Île

Perhaps the most iconic spot in all of Annecy, Le Palais de l’Île is a former prison housed on an island in the middle of Annecy’s river and canal network. Now a museum of Annecy’s heritage, the island can be easily explored.

Although much of Annecy’s attractions are centered around outdoor activities, visiting Le Palais de l’Île and other popular museums are some of the best things to do in Annecy when it rains, and they’re not to be missed!

Visit Annecy Castle (Château d’Annecy)

Annecy’s medieval castle sits in the winding streets of the old town and has an interesting history as the home of several Counts of Geneva. Nowadays Annecy Castle houses a museum celebrating Annecy and Savoy culture, and much more! There are also incredible views over Annecy and the lake from the castle.

Marvel at the Basilique de la Visitation

Annecy is home to a few churches and religious buildings, but perhaps the most impressive is the Basilique de la Visitation. Just a short walk from the centre, the Catholic basilica sits dominantly over Annecy and boasts some impressive views over the lake too.

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Discover more things to do in Annecy

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Capture Some Beautiful Photos

It’s hard to take a bad photo of Annecy, so grab your camera and snap some stunning shots! As well as taking pictures of pretty much everything on this list of things to do in Annecy, here are some of my top Annecy photo spots:

• Pont des Amours
• The Impérial Palace
• Palais de l’Île
• Annecy Old Town
• Plage Municipale de Talloires

For more photo opportunities, check out these 22 Beautiful Annecy Photo Spots!

Take a Day Trip to Talloires

See some of the top places to visit around Annecy by taking a day trip to one of the other lakeside towns, such as Talloires. This small town lies on the east side of the lake and is easily reached by bus from Annecy. You could even hire a bike and take a leisurely cycle!

If you plan to take the bus, head to Annecy’s train station and take bus 60. The best stop to explore Talloires is Écoles. Departures are fairly regular (every 40 minutes or so) and the journey takes around 30 minutes, but you can find all the information on the Sibra website.

In Talloires, explore the town and see a different view of Lake Annecy from one of the many lakeside beaches or boardwalks. There are also some great spots for hiking or nature walks.

Fun fact: Popular band Kodaline shot the cover for their album ‘In a Perfect World’ in Talloires. Head to the Plage Municipale de Talloires to see the exact spot!

Eat Fondue (or Aligot)

You can’t take a trip to Annecy without sampling the gastronomy of the Haute-Savoie region. Most of these dishes are warming, hearty dishes, perfect for a long day in the snow-capped Alps that surround Annecy. Try the famous tartiflette or fondue Savoyarde, made with traditional Savoy cheeses and wine.

Many other Alpine and French dishes can be found in Annecy, such as raclette, aligot, galettes, pastries, charcuterie, and much more!

Try these restaurants in Annecy to enjoy some delicious French food:

• Le Freti
• Ramoneur Savoyard
• Cafe Bunna
• Le Tanoué
• La Cabane

Go Hiking around Annecy

Lake Annecy is a playground of mountains and green space which offers plenty of options for hiking or walks. If you are visiting Talloires on a day trip to Annecy, I recommend an easy hike up Cascade d’Angon or walking around the Roc de Chère Nature Reserve.

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Read the dedicated Cascade d’Angon hiking guide

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Other popular walks and hikes around Annecy include La Tournette and the Gorges du Fier (note: open from Mar-Oct). If you are keen to hike around Lake Annecy, check out this detailed guide to the best hiking trails around Annecy and beyond.

Cycle around Lake Annecy

In keeping with the abundance of outdoor activities available in Annecy during the milder months, a loop around Lake Annecy makes for a wonderful cycle route.

There is a dedicated cycle path almost all the way around Lake Annecy, so you could opt for the full loop or just try a short section. Also, several bike rental places around Annecy mean you can easily hire everything you need for a day or two of cycling adventures!

If you’re interested in cycling around Lake Annecy, check out this detailed guide from Lauren at The Planet Edit.

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Certainly an underrated destination, hopefully this list of the best things to do in Annecy has earned this beautiful Alpine city a spot on your bucket list. For more Annecy inspiration, make sure you check out this list of the 22 most beautiful photo spots in Annecy.

Lover of underrated spots? Me too! Check out these guides to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and Ghent, Belgium.