Annecy
Discover Annecy
Annecy, in the north of the French Alps, is called "the Venice of Savoie" — a well-deserved title. The medieval town centre built around a 14th-century chateau is dissected by small canals and streams running out of Lac Annecy, which is clean, fresh and a wonderful azure colour. Annecy is the prefecture of the département of Haute-Savoie. Geneva is the nearest major international airport and is well served from across Europe and beyond. On the motorway, it is just over 35 min away. A little further away is Lyon, a full international airport, and Grenoble, which is focused on low-cost and winter flights. Both are about a one-hour drive by car or bus. Annecy's own airport has no commercial flights.
Taste of Annecy...
For between meals try the ice cream shops, favored by the locals, located on the numerous pedestrian-only by-ways that weave the city and river together. Another suggestion is the brioche (sweet roll) and other goodies to be found at the boulangeries (bakeries) in town. And of course, Haute-Savoie is famous for its cheese recipes: There are Bed & breakfasts, and a youth hostel. Surrounding mountains and lake activities are draining a large number of tourist during the summer and more and more during the winter season. Several winter sport resorts are within a 30-minute drive. The town gets ridiculously busy in July but September brings fewer people - visit then when the air is clearer and the views to the mountains are better. If you want to get away from the crowds, try the far side of the lake. The best way to get around is by bike.
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Annecy.
Annecy has a number of local artisan shops as well as many European chain boutiques. There is a market (marché) each Sunday morning in the pedestrian streets of the medieval city. Le marché is an open-air market with the freshest fruits and vegetables. For between meals try the ice cream shops, favored by the locals, located on the numerous pedestrian-only by-ways that weave the city and river together. Another suggestion is the brioche (sweet roll) and other goodies to be found at the boulangeries (bakeries) in town. And of course, Haute-Savoie is famous for its cheese recipes: There are Bed & breakfasts, and a youth hostel. Surrounding mountains and lake activities are draining a large number of tourist during the summer and more and more during the winter season. Several winter sport resorts are within a 30-minute drive. The town gets ridiculously busy in July but September brings fewer people - visit then when the air is clearer and the views to the mountains are better.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsGeneva is the nearest major international airport and is well served from across Europe and beyond. On the motorway, it is just over 35 min away. A little further away is Lyon, a full international airport, and Grenoble, which is focused on low-cost and winter flights. Both are about a one-hour drive by car or bus. Annecy's own airport has no commercial flights. Ten TER Rhône-Alpes trains operated by SNCF leave daily for Annecy from the Gare de Part-Dieu in Lyon, leaving around every two hours from 07:00 to 21:00. The trip is €32.90 and around two hours each way; some discounts may be available on SNCF online. There are also trains leaving for Annecy from Chambéry, which run more frequently. Eighteen TER trains, a few TGV trains, one Intercités de Nuit train, and one SNCF bus service run between the two towns, taking around an hour each way. A round-trip ticket is €21.20 (€10.60 one-way)....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Annecy has a number of local artisan shops as well as many European chain boutiques. There is a market (marché) each Sunday morning in the pedestrian streets of the medieval city. Le marché is an open-air market with the freshest fruits and vegetables. For between meals try the ice cream shops, favored by the locals, located on the numerous pedestrian-only by-ways that weave the city and river together. Another suggestion is the brioche (sweet roll) and other goodies to be found at the boulangeries (bakeries) in town. And of course, Haute-Savoie is famous for its cheese recipes: There are Bed & breakfasts, and a youth hostel. Surrounding mountains and lake activities are draining a large number of tourist during the summer and more and more during the winter season. Several winter sport resorts are within a 30-minute drive. The town gets ridiculously busy in July but September brings fewer people - visit then when the air is clearer and the views to the mountains are better.
Where to Stay
There are Bed & breakfasts, and a youth hostel. Surrounding mountains and lake activities are draining a large number of tourist during the summer and more and more during the winter season. Several winter sport resorts are within a 30-minute drive. The town gets ridiculously busy in July but September brings fewer people - visit then when the air is clearer and the views to the mountains are better. If you want to get away from the crowds, try the far side of the lake. The best way to get around is by bike.
Money & Budget
Annecy has a number of local artisan shops as well as many European chain boutiques. There is a market (marché) each Sunday morning in the pedestrian streets of the medieval city. Le marché is an open-air market with the freshest fruits and vegetables. For between meals try the ice cream shops, favored by the locals, located on the numerous pedestrian-only by-ways that weave the city and river together. Another suggestion is the brioche (sweet roll) and other goodies to be found at the boulangeries (bakeries) in town. And of course, Haute-Savoie is famous for its cheese recipes: There are Bed & breakfasts, and a youth hostel. Surrounding mountains and lake activities are draining a large number of tourist during the summer and more and more during the winter season.