Found in France's Haute-Savoie region bordering Italy and Switzerland, Annecy is a Disney town come to life. The famous crystal clear Lake Annecy flanked by Mont Blanc draws the summer crowds who swim, paddle-board and cycle around Europe's cleanest lake while the flower-lined canals, cobbled back streets and medieval châteaus come alive uniquely in each season. Winters here mean glittering canal-side Christmas markets touting vin chaud and creamy tartiflette made with local Reblochon cheese with the snowy Alps as your backdrop.
Is Annecy a walkable city?
Annecy is extremely walkable and navigating the town by foot is a great way to explore Old Town and the lake in particular. You may want to hire a car or a cab to go outside of the city and visit lakeside villages nearby, like the lovely Veyrier-du-Lac loved by painters and poets, or Menthon-Saint-Bernard where you'll find the famous château said to have inspired Walt Disney's version of Sleeping Beauty's castle. But you can easily do without a car as the train station is very well connected. Those coming from the UK can get a Eurostar to Lyon and then a train to Annecy. Those wanting to make the most of the Alpine location can get a direct train from Annecy to ski resorts like Meribel, Chamonix and Les Gets in around two hours. However, a car may be the most convenient and quickest option. Other French cities are also well connected; Paris is a direct 3hr 40m train ride away while Avignon in Provence is about four hours. Those flying in can go via Geneva Airport and get here by train within the hour.
Lake Annecy: walk, cycle, paraglide or paddle board on one of Europe's cleanest lakes
The turquoise waters of Lake Annecy are crystal clear and are most definitely the biggest draw for tourists visiting the town. Thanks to strict laws, the lake is reputed to be the cleanest in Europe, which means swimming is very popular here come spring and summer. It's a hub for all types of lake activities though, from paddle boarding and kayaking to cycling routes along the border and it's also one of the most famous paragliding destinations in Europe. In winter, ski paragliding is an option too. For those wanting to keep their heart rates on the slower side, there are also beautiful viewpoints along the lakes that make for great photo ops, like Pont des Amours (Lovers Bridge).
Stroll around Annecy's cobbled Old Town
My favourite thing to do was to walk along the narrow streets in the maze that is Old Town, centred around the network of canals. Here you'll find everything from farmer's markets to canal-side cafes and restaurants, boutique delis, concept stores like Les Palettes and medieval castles.
Palais de l’Ile
Sitting on a triangular islet surrounded by the Canal du Thiou in Annecy Old Town, the Palais de l'Isle is a fortified palace in the shape of a ship and it's one of the most iconic buildings in town. The building dates back to the 1100s and for hundreds of years it was a residence handed down by the noble families of the County of Geneva. Today it contains exhibitions about Annecy’s architecture and is open daily except Tuesdays for tours around the old courtroom, dungeon, cells, and chapel.
Christmas markets
Annecy's medieval Old Town feels particularly magical at Christmas when festive markets take over. The ‘Marché de Noël du Vieil Annecy‘ (Old Annecy Christmas Market) is the biggest of the three markets, with 80 chalets located around the St. François-de-Sales church selling handmade Savoie crafts, vin chaud from large copper pots and comforting Alpine and French produce like tartiflette, cheese, gingerbread and nougat.
Dine at Annecy's best restaurants
When it comes to Michelin-star restaurants, Annecy delivers two-fold. There's two-starred La Maison Bleue by Yoann Conte which serves tasting menus featuring ingredients grown in Chef Yoann's lakeside garden and fellow two-star restaurant Le Pere Bise from chef Jean Suplice, the first hotel in France to be awarded a Michelin star. Beyond that, Annecy locals are spoilt for choice. There's modern creative Alpine dining at places L'Esquisse, and Racines (the chef was the second in command at L'Esquisse) that put the area's produce at the forefront, as well as ‘neo-bistro’ Bloomer in the Old Town which is so worth a visit (the butternut ravioli with mushrooms and chestnuts with a very hearty sprinkle of parmesan is a must order). There are also plenty of cheap and cheerful canal-side creperies and cafes that serve local classics, like Quai n°10. For drinks, make your way to Society Bar.
Beaches
There are 13 beaches around Lake Annecy which come alive in the summer, with Albigny Beach the biggest and most popular. Go further afield for something a little quieter like Plage de La Brune which is a fifteen-minute drive from the centre of town.
