TWO DAYS ITINERARY

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Annecy is a very touristic city so I would advise to be prepared to feel like you’re in the south of France if you’re visiting in July or in August. However, I consider summer one of the best times to visit Annecy if you want to enjoy the lake, as it’s still pretty cold in the spring. If you want to avoid crowds while still enjoying the lake like you would in the summer months, June or September are great month to come.

Transportation: you can reach city by train or bus.

Day 1: bike around the lake and visit the old Annecy

I believe that the best activity to discover Annecy and its surroundings' is to rent a bike and bike around the lake (42km). You can take in the beautiful sceneries all around the lake while being safe from the cars as the bicycle lanes go all around the lake.

It’s around 20€/day for a normal bike (with a 150€ security deposit) and around 40€/day for an electrical bike (with a 500€ security deposit). It usually takes around 3h/4h to go around the lake, meaning you can rent the bikes for half the day which would make it cheaper.

While you can do this year-around, if you’re going in the summer, I would advise to go early in the morning (9am/10am) because it can get really hot and crowded.

Bonus point : You can stop whenever you want by the lake and go for a swim, no need to find a beach there are some great spots all around the lake that will allow you to do that.

Then explore the old city of Annecy with its cobbled streets and arches. Start by the famous picture with the flower tide gate on the Thiou canal and the Isle Palace (which was an old prison, yes I know weird right!). Don’t hesitate to wander around in the small alleys or/and follow the Louis Lachenal promenade that follows the canal.

Be careful as lots of the restaurants around the Thiou (especially near the tide gate) are touristic traps with way too expensive and mediocre food. But if you’re lucky enough to come across the old town market (on Tuesdays, Fridays or Sundays morning), try some local food !

Then make your way to the Jardin de l’Europe and keep walking by the lake. At one point you will come across the “Pont des Amours”, a must see in Annecy.

If you still have time, you can go see the Castle museum, located at the top of a small hill (you really can't miss it), which you can easily walk up to from the old town. The entrance price is around 5€ for adults. You will be able to visit the château d'Annecy as well as the temporary exhibitions and enjoy a great view from the castle.

To dine, reserve a dinner cruise on the Libellule. It’s more on the expensive side but you will get an amazing experience dining while cruising on the lake. The food is delicious and the staff is lovely which makes for the best experience.

Day 2 : Hiking around the lake and enjoying a swim

For day 2 we’re taking a bit of height to enjoy the lake and the mountains !

There are hundreds of hike trails around Annecy. If you have a car you can go up in La Clusaz or in The Grand Bornand, where you’ll lose the lake but will find the wonders of the mountains.

However if you want to stay around Annecy I have some great hikes for you :

• La Cascade d’Angon in Talloires : an easy hike (a walk even) if you have little kids. You will enjoy the shade in the summer. The cool part about this hike is that you will enjoy great views on the Duingt castle as you’re going up. It will take you 2h30 to do it.

• Les gorges du Fier : In the same theme, this is an easy walk not far from Annecy. The 25m deep gorges du Fier can be visited from march to october thanks to the footbridges installed all along the torrent. The ticket price is 5.70€ for adults and the tour takes around 1h to complete.

• La boucle du Taillefer : This hike in Duingt offers you breathtaking views on the lake. This is a great option for people who want to get a proper hike without it taking the entire day. You can then go down to the Duingt beach to get a swim and refresh.

• Mount Veyrier : You have multiple options to go up the mount and most of them aren’t really difficult with paths in the forest which will protect you from the heat in the summer. You will benefit from an amazing view on all of Annecy’s lake. Look up the paths beforehand to choose the one you will most enjoy in terms of difficulty, time…

• La Tournette : this one is for more experienced hikers, as the last part is quite hard with chains, cables, ladders… But when you arrive up there you’ll have a great view of the lake as well as the Mont-Blanc.

After your hike go swimming in the lake ! There are beaches all around the lake but my favorites are the Veyrier Beach, The Seyvrier Beach and closer to Annecy, The Imperial Beach. If you have the time rent a paddle and go explore the lake on your own. If you’re close enough go by the roc de chère.

If you have a car, go up the Col de la Forclaz and get to the view point to enjoy the sunset from up the mountain. You can Pique-Nique or eat at the restaurant there. However, if you don’t have a car, you can go to the pontons right by the Albigny beach on your way to Veyrier. Order a pizza and eat there while watching the sunset.

Bonus points :

If you decide to visit Annecy at the beginning of march, you might come across the carnival, another thing borrowed from Venice. Hundreds of people dressed up in beautiful costumes parade in the streets, with other activities related to the Venetian Carnival. A must see !

If you’re in Annecy in June, you will be there for the International Animated Festival. With professional from all over the world showcasing their art. But what is amazing with this, is that every evening, free movies projection are organized on the Paquier for everyone to enjoy ! This is one of my favorite thing to do as the atmosphere is really great with families, groups of friends, elders just seat together on the grass to enjoy a movie together.

If you’re planning to come on the first weekend of august, the city might be crowded as this is the weekend of the Annecy Lake Festival. This is the biggest pyrotechnic show in Europe and it takes place every year. There are around 45 000 paid seats but you need to take your tickets on the Annecy’s site months in advance (it’s in French and quite expensive). However, you can view it for free from anywhere. But be there early as the show attracts hundreds of thousands of spectator every year so the good spots are taken quite fast !

More about France

• La Brasserie Irma, Bocuse Brasserie : One of my favorite restaurants in Annecy! The food is superb and there are lots of seats. If you don’t want to seat, you can enjoy takeaway right by the restaurant in a little cabane that makes hamburger and to die for fries. €€€

• Brasserie des Européens : Traditional dishes with a twist. A really tasty experience and their menu changes throughout the seasons allowing for good and fresh products in you dish. €€

• Les Princes de Savoie : Great little restaurant owned by a cute grandma. A little hidden gem in the middle of Annecy. You need to book your table on the day of the reservation, however be sure to call pretty early as it’s almost always full. €

• Tizzo : A great Italian restaurant situated in the freshly renovated Galeries Lafayettes. The food is not too expensive and you have two options of restaurants. If you’re on a budget you can enjoy the downstairs restaurant but if you’re feeling fancier you can go up and enjoy the more expensive restaurant. €€

• Haven : A cute little brunch experience in an Australian vibe coffee shop. It’s situated in a pedestrian area not far from the lake so easy to go from the lake to there if you’re hungry, or want a coffee. €€

• So Kaffe : a Danish themed café which offers really good brunch. Again situated not far from the lake and the interior is cute and cosy. The prices range from 9€ to 30€. €€

• Chez Gaston : amazing waffles and super friendly staff. One of my friend worked there for a while so she had a discount and every time we were in town we were eating our goûter (French snack around 4pm) there. €€€

If you’re on a budget : buy sandwiches in bakeries, they are really good (I mean we are in France), otherwise buy your lunch or dinner in supermarket like Monoprix, you will save money and time.

If you’re in Annecy-le-vieux :

• Le Clocher : amazing food, fresh ingredients. Last year they a burrata which was amazing. Best burrata I’ve ever eaten, I’m not kidding. They have a huge terrace and the ambiance at night is amazing. €€

• Les 4 gourmets : A great Italian restaurant (I love the plates!). Last time I was there, we stayed there for 3 hours so if you’re looking to get a quick lunch you might not want to got there. But otherwise the food is great and the staff is super friendly. €€€.

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WHERE TO EAT IN ANNECY

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