14 Incredible Things To Do in Annecy
Nestled in the Haute-Savoie region near the Swiss border, Annecy is an insanely picturesque town surrounded by the foothills of the Alps. The town also sits right on the shores of Lake Annecy—a stunning glacial lake framed by towering mountains.
Often called the “Venice of the Alps,” Annecy’s Old Town (Vieux Annecy) is crisscrossed by canals, with the Thiou Canal serving as the main waterway leading out to the lake.
The town is filled with colorful Medieval buildings and in summertime, flower baskets line the canal railings, accenting to the charming scene. Annecy is seriously the perfect marriage of beautiful village and scenic landscapes, and I LOVED it.
A Tiny Bit of History
Annecy’s history dates back to the 1100s, with the Counts of Geneva and later the House of Savoie controlling the region. Annecy was officially annexed by France in 1860.
Much of the town’s development and beautification came in the 19th and 20th centuries, giving Annecy the enchanting character we enjoy today.
14 Unforgettable Things to Do in Annecy
1. Admire the Palais de l’Ile
The Palais de l’Ile is Annecy’s most iconic landmark—a small, castle-like “island” in the middle of the Thiou Canal. The setting is unbelievably scenic, even more so in person than in photos.
The canal is lined with colorful buildings, cafes dot the area, and flowers spill from balconies and flower boxes. (In fact, Annecy is one of France’s most beautiful flower-filled towns!)
The first structure on the site dates back to the 1100s, when it was a fortified house and prison. Over the centuries, it’s served as a minting workshop, courthouse, prison (again), administrative offices, and even an old people’s home before being designated a historic monument in 1900.
Today, the Palais de l’Ile houses a museum, but I’d actually recommend skipping it, especially if you’re short on time. The exhibits are underwhelming, with a general history of the castle, a few displays on its restoration, and one historic room in the basement.
It pains me to say this because I usually love exploring historic castles, but this one didn’t feel worth the time or money. Instead, enjoy the stunning views of the Palais from the outside—it’s truly unforgettable.
(But if you decide to visit: It’s open Wednesday-Monday, and costs €5)
There are several spots around the Palais that are insanely picturesque. Pont Perrière is the most classic spot, and where you can get this great shot (above).
However, I also really loved the view from Passage de l’Ile Bridge (which intersects the island) looking back towards the Palais (above).
And this view from behind is also very nice! (Below).
2. Pont de la Halle
Pont de la Halle, the bridge between the Palais de l’Ile and Lake Annecy, frames the part of the Thiou Canal that served as a bustling port in the 1800s. Today, it’s the gateway to the Quai de la Tournette, where visitors can buy tickets and board cruise boats for a trip on the lake.
This spot is incredibly scenic, offering gorgeous views in both directions—towards the shimmering lake on one side and back towards the charming canal and old town on the other.
3. Quai Napoleon III + Jardins de l’Europe
The Quai Napoleon III and Jardins de l’Europe are two connected spots right along the lake.
The Jardins de l’Europe is a peaceful park with shady trees, winding paths, greenspace for picnics, a charming fountain, and plenty of benches to rest on. Right next to the gardens, the Quai Napoleon III steals the spotlight.
This lakeside promenade offers some of the most scenic views in Annecy, with flower-lined walkways and the shimmering lake framed by the majestic mountains in the background.
Both are lovely places to spend time, but the Quai is an absolute must for soaking in Annecy’s picturesque scenery.
4. Pont des Amours + Le Vassé Canal
The Pont des Amours is a picturesque metal bridge spanning the Le Vassé canal where it meets Lake Annecy. Built in 1858 and originally named the Jardin Public footbridge, it was quickly nicknamed the Lover’s Bridge—a title it officially holds today.
The Le Vassé canal is lined with colorful fishing boats and shaded by sprawling trees, and is one of the city’s most tranquil and scenic waterways. The canal runs between two of Annecy’s major lakeside greenspaces: the Jardins de l’Europe and Le Pâquier.
Walking across the Pont des Amours is both romantic and scenic, but don’t miss the chance to stroll along the canal with the bridge as a stunning backdrop—it’s just as magical!
5. Le Pâquier
Once a pasture outside the city limits (Le Paquier means “pasture” in Savoyard), this expansive greenspace is now a hub for festivals and events in Annecy and is just on the other side of the Pont des Amours.
While it’s a lively area, especially during festivals (indeed, there was some kind of event happening when I visited), I personally found the Jardins de l’Europe to be more peaceful and picturesque overall.
6. Eglise Notre Dame de Liesse
There are several churches in Annecy, but these next three are the ones I think are most worth visiting.
First off, the Notre Dame de Liesse church is a striking building inside and out! Its elegant columns, grand archways, and a beautifully frescoed dome make it an impressive architectural landmark for a small town.
Founded in the 1300s by the Counts of Geneva, the church served as the burial site for the nobility during Medieval times. Much of the church was destroyed during the Revolution in 1793, it was rebuilt in 1855 with a strong neoclassical design.
In front of the church, you’ll find the Fontaine des Lions, constructed in 1859. This fountain holds historical significance as the first to provide drinking water to Annecy. Behind the church, you can see the tiny but charming Notre Dame Canal, which flows into Le Vassé Canal.
7. Cathedral Saint Pierre
This Gothic and Renaissance-style cathedral is closely tied to Saint François de Sales, who spent 28 years preaching in Annecy and served as the Bishop of Geneva before being exiled to the city. He continued his work as bishop here for many years, leaving a lasting impact on the region.
Inside, the cathedral features stunning stained glass windows that honor Saint François and his legacy. Originally, the church served as a convent for various religious orders in the 1500s, including the Celestines, the Cordeliers, and the Visitation order.
The blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, along with its deep connection to one of Annecy’s most cherished figures, makes the Cathedral Saint Pierre an important and meaningful site to visit.
8. Eglise Saint Francois de Sales
Situated near Pont Perrière and just across from the Palais de l’Île, Eglise Saint François de Sales was initially built as the church for the first monastery of the Order of the Visitation.
This order was founded in Annecy by François de Sales and Jeanne de Chantal. In the mid-1600s, the church was rebuilt to house their tombs.
The church’s striking Baroque design, modeled after an Italian church in Rome, stands out amidst Annecy’s predominantly medieval and Renaissance architecture.
9. Castle of Annecy
This regal historic castle, flanked by multiple towers, sits prominently at the top of town, offering a commanding view of Annecy.
Designated a Historic Monument, the castle was home to the Counts of Geneva during the 1200-1300s. It served as both a residence and the primary military defense of Annecy, playing a crucial role in battles between warring European powers.
For 300 years, it functioned as a military barracks before being converted into a museum in the mid-1900s.
The Queen’s Tower, the oldest part of the château, dates back to the 1200s and greets visitors as they walk in.
Inside, the museum hosts art exhibits, including medieval paintings and sculptures, as well as a landscape gallery featuring nature scenes of Annecy and the Alps—this gallery was my personal favorite.
Don’t miss the panoramic terrace, which offers sweeping views of the town and Lake Annecy. This stunning viewpoint alone makes the castle worth a visit.
- Hours: 10:30am-6pm, closed Tuesdays
- Cost: €6.50
10. Explore the Rest of Annecy
While the most famous parts of the town center around the lakefront and the Thiou Canal, much of the town is a regular small village, away from the water.
As you explore this area, you’ll find winding, colorful Medieval streets (that are, to be honest, a little grungy in places, but I think it just adds to the ‘lived-in’ charm). Seriously, all of Annecy is very cute and it’s worth wandering around for a while.
If you look at a map, the tan section is the historic part of Annecy, but most of the attractions are by the Palais de l’Ile towards the bottom (see interactive map at end of this post for all the locationss of the Annecy attractions).
If you get away from the top attractions, there’s still a lot of village to wander and explore!
11. Get Out On the Water: Cruise, Paddleboats, Kayaks, SUPs, Boats, Beaches
Lake Annecy is is stunningly clear and clean, with a beautiful green-blue hue, making it perfect for a whole host of water activities. You can easily find all sorts of water sport options on the lake, including paddleboats, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), motorboats, or boat cruises.
There are quite a few rental services along the quay just on the far side of the Pont des Amours. This one is a good option for inexpensive motor boat and paddleboat rentals, for example. You can also often find rentals along the beaches.
Speaking of which, there are several really nice beaches close to Annecy as well. Despite being an alpine lake, the water does get a comfortable 70-75°F (22-25°C) temperature in August, and people love to swim in the crystal clear waters.
The closest beach to Old Town is Plage des Marquisats, which is about a 15-minute walk from the city center. Plage de l’Imperial is the next closest – about a 25 minute walk from city center.
Boat Cruise
Since I was traveling solo, I decided to do a boat cruise, which was the perfect activity for me. The Compagnie des Bateaux d’Annecy operates several cruises daily, and you can choose between a 1-hour tour that covers about two-thirds of the lake or a 1.5-hour tour that circles the entire lake.
I took the longer cruise and it really was so relaxing and delightful — the guided commentary (in French) points out mountains, villages, and notable homes along the shoreline. Even if you don’t catch the commentary, the views and breeze alone make it worthwhile.
You can book tickets online in advance or directly at the quai on the day of your visit.
Whether you’re paddling, cruising, or swimming, spending time on Lake Annecy is a must-do.
12. Parasailing
Lake Annecy is renowned as one of the best parasailing locations in Europe, offering the unforgettable experience of soaring high above the lake and surrounding mountains. This is a great company that offers safe, convenient, and thrilling flights over the lake.
The views from up in the air are absolutely breathtaking, with the turquoise waters of the lake below and the dramatic Alpine peaks in every direction.
Paragliding is a popular and unique way to take in the stunning scenery of Annecy.
>>Check prices and availability for this paragliding experience here
13. Biking Around Lake Annecy
Biking around Lake Annecy is one of the best ways to soak in its natural beauty. A scenic and mostly flat bike path encircles the lake, covering about 42 km (26 miles). While it is a long path, it’s mostly flat (just one steep section) and should take you about 2–3 hours without stops.
Renting an e-bike is a great option to make this ride more relaxed – I’m a HUGE e-bike fan. Regular and e-bike rentals are available in town from companies like Pédal’Douce and Yaka Pédal, with prices starting around €50 for a full day e-bike.
For the best experience, ride in a clockwise direction around the lake. Along the way, stop in picturesque towns like Talloires and Duingt, which offer some of the most scenic views and charming spots to explore.
14. Sample Savoie Cuisine
Haute Savoie cuisine is good, hearty mountain food, reminiscent of what you will often find in Switzerland. Specialties include:
- Raclette: Melted raclette cheese served over boiled potatoes and pickled onions
- Fondue Savoyarde: A mixture of melted cheeses served with bread to dip in
- Tartiflette: Similar to scalloped potatoes – thinly sliced potatoes cooked in creram and cheese sauce
- Farcon: A savory potato “cake”
Honestly, the traditional regional foods you’ll find in Annecy are a bit on the heavy side, but they are so incredibly delicious (my mouth is watering just typing up this section…)
A few good restaurants in town include:
- Restaurant Chez Monique: Great Haute Savoie cuisine at a reasonable price
- L’Estaminet: Another great regional foods restaurant
- Le Freti: Popular restaurant with Haute Savoie foods – need reservation
- Marmillon: A really fantastic bakery. I loved the croix a la creme – a flaky puff pastry dough topped with a custardy cream and sprinkled with coarse sugar.
- Glacier des Alpes: One of the many delicious ice cream shops in Old Town
- Fromagerie Pierre Gay: A cheese shop where you can pick up traditional French and local Savoie cheeses of the highest quality. Consider Beaufort (my favorite), Tomme de Savoie, Raclette, or Savoyarde.
Map of Annecy Attractions
The Wrap Up
Annecy was an absolute delight. The scenery was jaw-dropping, and I loved walking around the lake and among the colorful streets. Make sure you visit this flower-filled town on your next trip to France!
