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Lake Annecy

Lake Annecy, Europe’s cleanest lake, is a popular summer destination for families, couples and singles alike, with a wide variety of accommodation and villages to stay in. Although the city of Annecy is the largest, the villages dotted around the lake provide a much more private atmosphere, with those on the East side being generally more expensive, catching the afternoon sun, while those on the West side of the lake provide more camping grounds and less summertime events and activities.

The lake

The lake itself is sourced by mountain streams and by a deep spring at the Annecy end of the lake, which alone provides 30% of the water in the lake. The resulting fresh and clean water of Lake Annecy is home to activities all year round. Unsurprisingly, most sane people will only brave the water in summertime, when the temperature of the lake can reach the mid- to high-twenties. At least one person, in her eighties, swims across the lake and back each day of the year according to locals, while the student divers prefer the comfort of their dry suits in winter.

Summertime on the lake includes all the usual activities such as water skiing, wakeboarding, sailing, swimming and diving. For safety reasons, kite surfing and wind surfing are only allowed a certain distance from the shore, where speed boats and large ferries regularly pass. Tours of the lake and its villages are available from the central Annecy end of the lake. Tours are available on large ferries with a meal included, or faster, smaller tours are available on small wooden motor boats where the captain might lend his hat to another passenger for a quick steer at the helm. Both feel luxurious.

For something truly local, try the water taxi – a ferry that stops in three of the most popular villages (Talloires, Menthon St Bernard and Veyrier) from Annecy three to five times a day in summer (see http://www.annecy-croisieres.com).

Most of the public beaches have an entrance fee, but the beach on the Marquisats side of Annecy, just five minutes by foot from the old town, is free. Lake Annecy is also one of the few places in France where paragliders can practice chute failure, allowing them to drop into the water below as part of their training. This takes place a the south end of the lake, where many paragliding schools have landing fields and waiting boats for those who land in the water.

The villages around Lake Annecy

Veyrier is a small and expensive place to pass time. The beachfront is mostly residential apart from the port, but the area does provide some walks in the direction of the mountains. You can dine in a Michelin 3-star restaurant (La Maisons de Mark Veyrat) or one of the many others dotted through the village.

Menthon St Bernard boasts its very own castle, still privately owned by the Menthon family, and open in summer for tourists to nose around and gasp at the glorious views of the lake and mountains. The village has a port, where swimming is free, or a beach which is only free in the evenings. Paddle boats can be hired from the port, which also has a restaurant, pétanque alleys, lots of parking, and views of the picturesque hotel just along from the port. The hotel itself has only been reopened recently after private ownership, allowing guests or visitors to dine with lovely views of the lake as the sun sets in summer.

Talloires is further along the lake away from Annecy. It has some great local shops, a charming port and amazing beachfront views. The port is contained in a small cove with some restaurants and hotels overlooking the water. The walk towards the North end of the port, towards the cliffs, can be romantic in the quieter months when less people are in town.

Villages on the west side of the lake miss a lot of the afternoon sun because of the nearby mountains. The villages are more residential, but still contain accommodation, restaurants and some activities. Unlike the East side of the lake, however, these villages benefit from the dedicated cycle/walk/rollerblade track which continues towards Albertville.

Annecy: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites

Places to visit near Lake Annecy

Explore places of interest within about 70 kilometres on a map at places near Lake Annecy.

Some places to visit within 30 km of Lake Annecy are shown below (if found).

Yvoire Most beautiful village at 27 km

See also Lake Annecy (version Francais)

Airports near Lake Annecy

Chambery airport at 67 km