Annecy

With its shimmering canals, pastel-coloured old town and a backdrop of the French Alps, Annecy is a picture-postcard destination that lives up to every cliché. Nicknamed the 'Venice of the Alps', this lakeside city in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region offers a perfect blend of outdoor adventure, medieval charm and serious foodie credentials. The crystal-clear lake, fed by mountain streams, is the star attraction, but the winding streets of the Vieille Ville (Old Town) are just as captivating. Whether you're cycling around the lake, kayaking on its turquoise waters, or simply savouring a tartiflette at a canal-side terrace, Annecy feels like a holiday from the moment you arrive.

Highlights & What to See

• Lake Annecy (Lac d'Annecy) – Europe's cleanest lake, perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, sailing or a scenic cruise. The turquoise water is stunning against the Alpine backdrop.
• Vieille Ville (Old Town) – Cobbled lanes, flower-bedecked canals, and the 12th-century Palais de l'Isle, a former prison built on a tiny island. The Tuesday, Friday and Sunday markets are a feast for the senses.
• Château d'Annecy – A former residence of the Counts of Geneva, now a museum with panoramic views of the lake and mountains. The architecture alone is worth the climb.
• Le Pâquier – A huge grassy park right on the lakefront, ideal for picnics, cycling and people-watching. In summer, it hosts free concerts and the famous Fête du Lac fireworks.
• Cycling or walking around the lake – The 42km cycle path (Voie Verte) is flat and family-friendly, passing through charming villages like Menthon-Saint-Bernard and Talloires. Rent a bike or e-bike for a half-day loop.
• Gorges du Fier – A dramatic river canyon with a walkway bolted into the cliff face, just 10 minutes from town. A thrilling short detour for nature lovers.

Suggested Time to Spend

Two to three days is ideal to soak up the atmosphere without rushing. Spend the first day exploring the Old Town and Château, then a full second day on or around the lake – swim in the morning, cycle or boat in the afternoon. If you have a third day, take a day trip into the nearby Aravis mountains for hiking or, in winter, skiing at La Clusaz or Le Grand-Bornand. For a more leisurely pace, add an extra half-day to enjoy the markets and café terraces.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Talloires – A gorgeous lakeside village with a Benedictine abbey, Michelin-starred dining and a pebble beach. It's a 20-minute drive or a scenic boat ride away.
• Yvoire – One of France's 'Plus Beaux Villages', perched on Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) with medieval ramparts and flower-filled streets. About an hour's drive north.
• Chamonix-Mont-Blanc – The world capital of mountaineering, under the shadow of Mont Blanc. A 90-minute drive through the Arve Valley, offering epic hiking, cable cars and glacier views.
• Geneva, Switzerland – Just 45 minutes away, Geneva's international flair, lakeside jet d'eau and Old Town make an easy cross-border day trip.
• Les Gorges du Pont du Diable – A stunning natural gorge with a waterfall and swimming holes, near the village of Saint-Jean-de-Sixt. Perfect for a half-day hike and a dip.
• Aix-les-Bains – A Belle Époque spa town on Lac du Bourget, France's largest natural lake. About an hour south, it offers Roman ruins, thermal baths and lake cruises.

Please check official sources for current details.