CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Looking for an ideal destination for a weekend in France, whether by the water, in the mountains or for sports activities 😁? Look no further and let yourself be won over by Annecy, in Haute-Savoie 😇! Whether in summer or winter, Annecy will delight you with a multitude of activities for 2 or 3 days of discovery. You’ll be able to visit the city’s main sights and enjoy its wonderful atmosphere, as well as the stunning Lake Annecy.
In this article, you’ll find all the information on the must-dos in Annecy and the surrounding area! Discover this exceptional city with us and enjoy every moment. Let’s go explore the wonders of Annecy 🥳!
STROLLING THROUGH ANNECY’S OLD TOWN 👣
It’s a must if you come to Annecy! Don’t miss the charming old town, also nicknamed the “Venice of the Alps” because of the Thiou canal running through it 😍. Annecy’s old town has undeniable charm for a weekend. With its cobbled lanes and arcades, it invites you to wander and make picturesque discoveries.
If you love taking those famous postcard shots of the flower-decked lock or the Palais de l’Isle, a former prison at the junction of two canals, this is the place 📸. Feel free to get lost in the little lanes and follow the canal along the Promenade Louis-Lachenal, with pleasant shady stretches.
There are also plenty of restaurants in Annecy’s old town (choose carefully, as some are very touristy…). You’ll also find small souvenir shops selling placemats featuring Lake Annecy, as well as grocery stores, delis and cheese shops offering quality regional products. The cheese is incredibly good in Haute-Savoie 😋! Annecy’s old town promises total immersion in the region’s picturesque atmosphere, between history, food and shopping.
GOOD TO KNOW: I recommend going to the market in Annecy’s old town, held every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday morning along the canal, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
LA TOURNETTE, A TOUGH AND INCREDIBLE HIKE 🥾
There are plenty of hikes around Annecy to do in summer with incredible views of the lake 😍! We did La Tournette, a fairly tough hike with nearly 1,200 meters of elevation gain 😱! It’s an unforgettable experience in the heart of the French Alps. At 2,351 meters, La Tournette is the highest point in the area and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and Lake Annecy. You need to be determined and understand that this hike is very physical! It isn’t for everyone (good physical fitness is important).
The hike takes you through lush forests, alpine meadows dotted with wildflowers and impressive rocky ridges. The summit of La Tournette rewards your efforts with a panoramic view and a breathtaking perspective over the lake and Mont Blanc 👀. It’s a hike not to be missed for nature lovers visiting the Annecy area. You can find this hike on Visorando (20% off the Visorando club with my code: WQ-NJM2Y), one of the sites I use most often to find hikes.
WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T FORGET : Take at least 3 liters of water per person so you don’t run out at the top of the hike 💧. If you’re like me and not too fussy, in some places you can fill your bottles with mountain water (I haven’t died from drinking it yet 😂). For food, there are plenty of bakeries on your way before reaching the Col de la Tournette.
THE BASTILLE DAY FIREWORKS ON JULY 14 🎆
The fireworks on July 14 in Annecy are a breathtaking show. Of course, we’d planned ahead to see these fireworks, which are well known in the region and visible for miles. Every year, thousands of people gather by the lake to admire this show of lights and colors lighting up the sky 😀. It can be quite hard to find a parking spot during events like this 😂, so it’s best to arrive a little early and plan for a few kilometers of walking 🚶. The Annecy fireworks can be seen from many places; we were at the Pâquier, which is usually the most crowded spot!
GOOD TO KNOW: If you’re visiting Annecy in early August, don’t miss one of the biggest events of the summer 🌞: the Fête du Lac d’Annecy. This grand pyrotechnic show is staged with music, light effects, drones, water features and various entertainment. It’s now known as the biggest fireworks display in Europe 🎆, set in a magical setting between lake and mountains.
PARAGLIDING IN ANNECY – FLYING OVER THE ALPS 🪂
If you love adventure and thrills, I highly recommend flying over beautiful Lake Annecy by paraglider or hang glider 🪂. The panoramic view is simply splendid, in an incredibly beautiful setting. Annecy is recognized as the busiest paragliding site in Europe and regularly hosts world-class competitions 👏. It’s the ideal place for your first flight in this mountain setting!
Many companies offer paragliding or hang gliding flights in Annecy, so you’ll be spoiled for choice 👍! Discovery flights usually start from €95 for 15 to 20 minutes (you can choose different flights, either calm or with acrobatics 😅). It’s up to you to see what tempts you most, but the experience will be exceptional 😉!
Flights usually take off from the Col de la Forclaz or Talloires, and it’s best to book your experience in advance, as spots are limited and times are fixed 📅. It’s the most popular activity in Annecy, so book as early as possible if you want a spot!
DISCOVERING LAKE ANNECY BY BIKE 🚴
For cycling lovers, an unforgettable experience awaits you in Annecy. You can ride all the way around Lake Annecy on the greenway, which offers about 33 kilometers of bike paths 🚴. Exploring Annecy and its surroundings by bike, you can enjoy many beautiful viewpoints over the lake, discover small secluded beaches and get away from the crowds, especially in summer.
There are many routes for discovering Annecy and the surrounding area. We decided to ride around the lake, which is very well set up for cyclists. We rented two e-bikes (so much better) to enjoy the scenery even more and suffer less from the effort 🥵(a big climb toward the end). Spotless e-bikes and an excellent afternoon in this mountain setting ⛰️.
If you want to enjoy this must-do experience in Annecy and get some exercise without too much effort, e-bikes will be your best travel companions 😂!
THE GORGES DU FIER, A MIXED FEELING 💔
Venture a few kilometers from Annecy and discover the Gorges du Fier. The Gorges du Fier offer a unique natural experience where you can walk along secure walkways with a view of the effects of erosion: a canyon more than 25 meters high 😱. If you’re not afraid of heights, get ready for a great activity 💪!
Personally, I don’t share the view that the Gorges du Fier are as magnificent as other sites claim… It’s nice, but there are much better places! Expect to pay €6 per person to discover this place 💸.
A full visit of the Gorges du Fier takes about 30 minutes.
ACTIVITIES TO DISCOVER ANNECY AND ITS SURROUNDINGS 
It will depend on you and what you feel like doing; there are lots of activities in Annecy for every budget 💰.
Depending on the activity, it’s always useful to plan ahead. If you’re someone who likes to plan ahead (like me), you can easily book in advance online; you’ll find lots of activities on GetYourGuide
WHERE TO EAT IN ANNECY? 🍽️
LE CHALET DE LA PRICAZ
The Chalet de la Pricaz restaurant sits high up on the Col de la Forclaz and is a must during your visit to Annecy 😉! Set in an idyllic location, it has a terrace overlooking beautiful Lake Annecy. The fresh produce served here is of exceptional quality and the value for money is excellent 👍. We spent one of our most memorable evenings there thanks to this spectacular view 😍!
INFO: Don’t forget to book ahead, because without a reservation it’s almost impossible to eat there, especially in summer.
CHEZ MAMIE LISE
We only tried one restaurant in Annecy, after reading many reviews and comments about “Chez Mamie Lise”. It serves tasty, generous traditional cuisine. Very nice decor, which is part of its charm too. The only downside is the price: for me, the dishes are too expensive… Most dishes are at least €25 or more, and depending on what you order, it adds up fast 😶.
WHERE TO STAY IN ANNECY & THE SURROUNDING AREA? 💤
ACCOMMODATION SUGGESTIONS
You’ll find plenty of accommodations in Annecy or nearby for all budgets 💶. Annecy and the surrounding villages are very touristy in summer ☀️, which means prices for guesthouses, Airbnbs and hotels are often excessively high in peak season 😶. The key to getting the best accommodations in Annecy is to book ahead and, if possible, outside the city to have as much choice as possible at reasonable prices 😏.
OUR ROOM IN THIS GREEN HAVEN
Our stay at the Domaine du Chainet guesthouse was simply incredible. Set in an enchanting location in the heart of nature, this property offers an authentic, peaceful experience 😊. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed, and our hosts made sure our stay was as pleasant as possible.
The guesthouse itself was magnificent, combining traditional charm and modern comfort. Our room was elegantly decorated and had a breathtaking view of nature 🌿. Breakfast was made with local and homemade products. The facilities at Domaine du Chainet, such as the pool and landscaped outdoor areas, let us relax and fully enjoy the surrounding nature 🤙.
MY ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES FOR WEEKEND TRIPS 🧳
Even on a short weekend, I like to bring certain accessories and items that help me feel at ease 😉. At the same time, it’s always cheaper to plan ahead than to buy at the last minute in very touristy places 👇.
OUR YOUTUBE VIDEO IN ANNECY 🎥
It’s always a pleasure to share our day in Annecy and the surrounding area with you. In this YouTube video, you’ll find our feedback on this day and the many activities we discovered. Enjoy watching 🥳!
COMING SOON / VIDEO
THANKS FOR YOUR FEEDBACK
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