FR · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · 45.92°N 6.13°E

annecy

Canals through an old town, a clear lake and mountain views from the waterfront.

Best time
May, June and September are good for walking and cycling without the peak crowds. July and August are the time to swim, but the waterfront is packed; November to February is cold, with fewer boats on the lake.
How long
2–3 days
Getting there
Fly to Geneva with one stop, usually via Dubai, Doha or Istanbul, about 16–18 hours all in; Annecy is about an hour by bus or road from the airport. Or fly direct to Paris and take the TGV from Gare de Lyon (about 4 hours). France is 6 hours behind KL in summer and 7 in winter.
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FR · Auvergne-Rhône-Alpesannecy45.92°N 6.13°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Canals through an old town, a clear lake and mountain views from the waterfront.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingAnnecyFR, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
KLannecy
≈ 10,186 km from KL, as the crow flies
Annecy, France

Photo: Roman Boed from The Netherlands · CC BY 2.0

1 / 5

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Annecy is an old canal town on the edge of a clear Alpine lake, with mountains on every side. Spend the morning in the lanes, then swap café tables for a lakeside path, a swim or a boat.

Makan

  1. TartiflettePotatoes baked with Reblochon cheese and onions; the classic has pork lardons.Map ↗
  2. Filets de percheSmall lake perch fillets, pan-fried in butter.Map ↗
  3. Gâteau de SavoieA tall, light sponge cake from the region.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Vieille VilleArcaded lanes and canals around the Palais de l'Isle, an old prison on a little island in the canal.Map ↗
  2. Jardins de l'EuropeLakeside gardens and the Pont des Amours, with the classic view down the lake to the mountains.Map ↗
  3. A lake boat tripCruises loop the lake past villages and steep wooded slopes; some boats let you hop off at Talloires or Menthon.Map ↗
  4. The lakeside cycle pathAn old railway line along the west shore, flat and easy, through Sévrier and Duingt. Bikes are easy to hire in town.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The lake is clean and cold, with swimming beaches right in town.
  • Cheese dishes are the vegetarian standby, but fondue is made with white wine. For halal meat, Turkish and kebab places are the easy option.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.