What to do in Annecy

Discover the activities to do in Annecy ! Nicknamed the "Venice of the Alps", the city of Annecy is a little jewel of the Haute-Savoie region, full of things to see and activities to do, in summer and in winter!

Famous for its old town and its pleasant alpine setting, Annecy is a privileged destination for a stay in Haute-Savoie. Less than an hour by car from Geneva and two hours from Lyon, it is also easily accessible from other major cities by train thanks to its station. There is nothing better than to go to Annecy to enjoy a few days in the mountains, by a lake with many things to do!

The first thing to do in Annecy when you arrive is to walk around its old town with its colorful houses. There are many restaurants with Savoyard specialties (tartiflette, fondue savoyarde, etc.), as well as the Castle of Annecy in the heights, offering a panorama on the roofs of the city. It is also in the old town that the Thiou canal flows, inviting you to walk along it to the Jardins de l'Europe on the shores of Lake Annecy, facing the Ile des Cygnes. On the other side of the Jardins de l'Europe, there is the pretty little canal of Vassé, which can be crossed thanks to the well-known Pont des Amours, as well as a walkway along the lake allowing you to enjoy beautiful views as far as the beach of Albigny.

Annecy is easily visited on foot, but cycling is also a very good way to get around, especially if you plan to go all the way around the lake of Annecy or visit the surrounding Savoyard mountains. Many trails have been laid out to facilitate travel, whether for hikers or bikers, as many hikes are possible around Annecy: let's mention the hikes on the Veyrier and La Tournette mountains, as well as the downhill mountain bike routes on the Semnoz mountain. In summer as well as in winter, thanks to snowshoes, hiking in Annecy is a must!

The mountains around Lake Annecy are ideal for other sports activities such as via ferrata or canyoning (Angon canyon, Montmin canyon, etc.), and more particularly for aerial activities not to be missed in the region: microlight flying, hang gliding, and inevitably paragliding. The Lake Annecy region is indeed favorable to paragliding, even in winter, with generally a take-off at the Col de la Forclaz, not far from Doussard where the majority of paragliding schools are located. Hot air balloon flights are also available to enjoy the beautiful alpine landscapes around Annecy and its lake, with the possibility to admire from the sky the Dents de Lanfon, the Aravis mountain range, and even further the Mont Blanc.

Who says lake also says nautical activities! The lake of Annecy is a popular destination in summer to enjoy a swim in its pure waters from its beaches like the Marquisats, but not only. It is of course possible to go around by boat, but also by stand up paddle for those who prefer the calm. The thrill-seekers will find their happiness thanks to the wingfoil and wakeboard activities available in Veyrier-du-Lac.

Whether in summer or in winter, Annecy and its surroundings offer several types of activities accessible all year round. Water activities are of course more pleasant in summer, but air and land sports can be practiced in almost all seasons, such as skateboarding or mountain biking. So all you have to do is plan your next trip to Annecy whenever you want, as the Haute-Savoie is full of things to do to keep you entertained!