Lake Annecy is one of the most beautiful areas of France and in the world for that matter. You can get there easily via Geneva airport or travelling by Eurostar and TGV trains. The easy access to lake Annecy provides the opportunity for a relaxing festive break together will a trip to savour the winter sights at this magical time of year. From Annecy to can easily get to Megeve, Albertville, Chamonix and Mont Blanc, Lake Geneva and the spectacular sights along the Route des Grandes Alps including the spa town of Evian and medieval Yvoire.

For the Christmas period, Annecy and all the towns and village nearby present themselves in all of their festive glory. You can enjoy a fusion of light, pine trees, snow, lake and mountains all certainly getting you into the Christmas mood. The lake and the lovely old town of Annecy offer a range of hotels and self-catering accommodation most close to the railway station and within a short walk of all the main sights.

Enjoy your Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners in a warm and cosy Savoiyard local restaurants, sample the local festive fare, as well as may be a Christmas Day lunch in the nearby ski resorts of La Clusaz, Megeve or Grand Bornard, combined with a afternoon on the ski slopes?

We do you want to celebrate your Christmas.

Abseiling

There are a number of activity companies on lake Annecy offering abseiling for beginners and more pros.

Adventure Park

A great day out for families and a group of friends. The park has got a range of activities on offer including and adventure course, Forest of Senses, Orienteering Course and Treehouse to rent.

Ballon Flights

Book a hot air balloon mountain flight and discover a breath taking view of Annecy Lake and the Aravis mountains in total tranquillity and security.

Boat Hire

Boats can be hired with and without driving licence, from paddle boats , small sailing boats to motorboats. Enjoy to discovering secret areas of the lake Annecy and the Roc de Chère.

Canyoning

Swimming, slide, jump, descent into basins of water. Good fun and no previous experience required.

Climbing

The mountains around lake Annecy offer endless climbing possibilities.

Cruises

There is a scheduled boat service from April 23rd to September 25th connecting the lake-side towns of Talloires, Menthon, Veyrier and Annecy. Charter cruises start from the old town and can include lunch or dinner.

Cycling

The cycle path is a real link between Annecy, and the other towns along the lake. You can cycle all the way from Annecy to Albertville. It offers beautiful landscapes, with views on the lake and mountains.

Fishing

Europe’s cleanest lake has plenty of fish stock. All you need is a local licence and fishing gear, off you go catching your own dinner.

Golf

There is a golf course in Talloires in a protected nature reserve, with great views over lake and mountains. Nearby in Giez is “Le Belvedere”, a 18 hole golf course offering a magnificent view on the lake of Annecy and the Mont-Blanc, while “Les Castors”, a 9 hole golf course has been designed especially for beginners.

Hiking

Enjoy easy and pleasant hikes and walks in the heart of the Alps and get rewarded with exceptional scenery of the Lake and the surrounding mountains. Discover wildlife, flora, fauna and the life of pasture.

Mobilboard

an unique way to discover Annecy, the lake and the old town.

Mountain Biking

the mountains nearby offer plenty of scope for short or extended mountain bike excursions. Bike rental available.

Paddleboarding

Discover Lake Annecy in an ecological and original way. Stand-up paddleboards require a little balance but you get rewarded with unique views on Duingt castle and the Roc de Chère. Board hire and organised tours available.

Paragliding

A tandem flight above lake Annecy is one of the most spectacular things you can do. There are many professional operators offering tandem and paragliding courses.

Quad Bikes

Go for a technical and playful Quad Bike excursions guided by experienced instructors.

Rafting

White water activities include rafting, kayaking, hydrospeed, canorafting and sea kayaking trip. A number of operators offer rafting along the lake.

Sailing

Sailing courses, Sailing boats, catamaran, windsurfing and boat hire.

Scuba Diving

Discover the clear waters of lake Annecy, and meet perches and pikes. Scuba diving at all levels: initiation dives, exploration dives, certification CMAS/PADI, particular lessons, youth and night dives.

Sight Seeing

See other posts. Plenty of sights along lake Annecy

Swimming

With water temperatures around 24C in the summer, swimming in lake Annecy is refreshing, healthy and fun.

Tennis

A number of clubs along the lake with well maintained clay courts.

Via Ferrata

Totally safe rock climbing experience with fixed ropes. Via Ferrata is a good entry to rock climbing.

Wakeboarding

Wakeboard schools, wakeboard hire, wakeboarding for beginners or experts.

Walking

Take a gentle stroll along the footpaths of lake Annecy. Many restaurants and cafes on the way

Water-skiing

Water-ski schools, water-ski hire, water-ski for beginners or experts.

Wintersport

Ski resorts are just 30 min drive from lake Annecy offering downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and all other winter sports available in world class ski resorts.

I know my way to lake Annecy but still had problems

I have been driving from Geneva to Annecy at least 100 times in my life. I always hire a car on the Swiss side, which gets me onto the motorway next to the airport and with the new motorway extension into Annecy within 30 – 40min drive.  Yesterday I did not.

I got ‘conned’  by one of the online car hire companies into hiring a car from the French side. The only provider (holidaycars) only gave me the choice of  ‘Geneva airport’ which by default should be the Swiss side of the airport, but when I booked and printed the rental voucher it told me that the car has to be picked up on the French site. I was a little puzzled, but can’t be too difficult.

From the French airport side to lake Annecy is more difficult

Here the difficult bit. I checked out via the Swiss side, than had to go through customs again to get to the French side. The car hire desk on the French side had a massif queue (because car rental tends to be a little cheaper on the French side) so I waited 40 min to get a car. The Swiss operation is much bigger and much slicker. Once I got the car, I had to drive through a ‘French’ corridor road to get me into France, heading away from Annecy into the wrong direction. Once in France nothing is signposted and you need a navigation system to find your way to Annecy.

Knowing the region, I turned around and headed back towards Geneva and aimed for the motorway. Here another annoying thing. In Swiss you pay motorway fees for the year so if you hire a car on the French side this is not included and using Swiss motorways for 7 miles or 5 min cost you 30 Euro. Hire on the Swiss side includes motorway fees!! After 30 min of navigation through the suburbs of Geneva I got back onto the motorway, nowhere to buy the vignette to display so I chanced it and got over the boarder to France without paying. Not a risk you want to take when on holiday.

Go Swiss when travelling from Geneva airport to Annecy

What should have been an hours drive from Geneva to my house in Doussard, became a two hours drive. Including the wait at the car rental desk almost a three hour journey. I have a good sense of direction and know the area well so I did not get lost. Imagine you do this the first time.

My advice for your travel from Geneva airport to lake Annecy. Don’t checkout on the French side, don’t hire a car on the French side. Pay a little extra and get a car on the Swiss side and go straight onto the motorway. Don’t take a change! You will be better of that way.

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Winter has long been one of my favourite time on lake Annecy. Crisp air, clear views and a deserted lake makes winter a special time of year. Ideal for long walks along the lake. An ideal time of the year to re-charge your batteries away from it all. The water in the lake, although very cold at this time of the year, looks very still and peaceful. Not the time to swim, but a good time to appreciate the lake as it should be seen: wild, beautiful, unspoiled and free of summer tourist crowds.

The downside to winter on the lake is that many lake-side bars and restaurants are closed. So you need to plan your lunch carefully. May be take a pick-nick or head to Annecy old town, which has always places open for a snack, drink, lunch or dinner.

If you ski, lake Annecy offers an stunning choice of ski resorts nearby. There are at least 5 resorts within 40 min drive from the lake. See my other posts on skiing near lake Annecy. Being a skier myself, I love the winters here on lake Annecy. It allows me to get away from it all, enjoy the peace of the lake and the nearby mountains …. and it allows me to dive in and out of ski resorts for a half day skiing here and there….  On that note, I am off to La Clusaz for a half day skiing. 23euro ski pass is a bargain too, compared to the 48euro a day in the bigger more famous ski resorts in the region.

Enjoy one of the many beaches and a cold drink in one of the many lakeside restaurants and bars. Get yourself a nice villa lakeside or up the hills with either lake or mountain views. You can enjoy outdoor dining well into the night.

The lake is open for business

During August, lake Annecy is truly open for business.  From early morning swimming, afternoon dip or late evening water skiing, the lake got it all. All water sport shops are open for business all day. You can hire all kind of boats (including speedboats if you got a license), water skis and any other water sport equipment you can imagine. Swimming, waterskiing, wake boarding, sailing, kayaking and diving are amongst the most popular water sports.

Even if water sport is not your thing you can enjoy one of the many trail around and nearby the lake, perfect for cycling, hiking or even just a gentle walk. Remember it can get very hot during the day. Keep your activities for the morning or late afternoon. If you cycle or hike during the day, make sure you pick a shady spot and take plenty of water.

Fête du Lac and other small fêtes

The many villages along the lake come to live with fetes, festivals and weekly farmers markets. For one day in August the sheer splendour of Annecy’s lake and its backdrop are celebrated at the Fête du Lac. On the first Saturday of August , the bay of Albigny welcomes the biggest pyrotechnic show of Europe, with 80 minutes of fireworks in rhythm with music, lights, special effects. It is the kind of show that you have to see at least once in your life! There will be many smaller fetes around the lake and you will find something in the calendar on most days. If you are willing to make the effort you will be able to experience the traditional nature of this unique French region.

Lac d'Annecy fete

View lake Annecy through the air

Lake Annecy also boasts on of the world’s most famous hang- and paragliding sites. Both Talloires and Doussard are used as a base for many paragliding schools and tandem flight operators. Just pass the landing site in Doussard, have a drink, watch the spectacle unfold and make some enquiries. Your family and in particular your kids will love it.  It is a truly spectacular sight, watching all the colourful gliders in the sky. If you dare you can even enjoy a tandem flight for as little as 80 Euros.

My recommendations

Here my suggestions for lake Annecy activities during August:

• Relax lakeside in one of the many bars / restaurants – my favourites Chez Ma Cousin for evening dring or Chez Gerald (Bout du lake) for fish dinner.
• Visit the legendary Fête du Lac in Talloires
• Book an even cruse with one of the operators in Annecy (based next to the main canal just in front of the Old Town) and enjoy lake and mountains whilst having a meal on board.
• Visit the castle in Menthon St. Bernard and enjoy the stunning views over the lake
• Sunbath on one of the many beaches around the lake.
• Shop the many boutiques lining the narrow stone-paved streets alongside the canals in Annecy’s Old Town
• Visit one of the many weekly local farmers markets.
• Book a tandem paragliding flight from the top of Col De la Forclaz down to the landing site in Doussard.
• Book a late afternoon wakeboard  session with on of the local operators.
• Enjoy an early morning swim in one of the cleanest lakes in Europe.

hiking around lake Annecy

August is the time to sunbath, relax and enjoy all what the lake has to offer.  August is all the time for fetes around the lake. Enjoy the local hospitality. However all the activities on offer, combined with school holiday period makes lake Annecy rather busy during August.

For once you can easily drive to lake Annecy.  Journey times from the French ports are less than 10 hours and if you keep the stops to a minimum you can do it in less than eight hours. There are also many great stop-overs on the way such as the Champagne (I always stop to stock up on Champagne), Dijon and Lyon. You can even drive via Paris and take in the French capital on the way.

Annecy is also connected to the TGV rail network. The journey time is less than four hours to Paris. Including a change of train you could be in Annecy from London Kings Cross in less than seven hours.

Driving is probably the most productive and most cost effective option as you will need a car to enjoy the sights around lake Annecy. There is so much to do and see that even if you travel by air or rail you need to hire a car to get to see the region.

When I bought my house here, I bought because lake Annecy is one of the most stunning regions in the world. I also bought here because I can get here by car or by train not only by air. It seemed to me less of a risk that way. I guess many British  holidaymakers will make similar considerations, next time they plan their holiday getaways … may be drawing the same conclusion and making this another reason to visit lake Annecy.

As I am writing  this blog post (sitting in my garden overlooking lake Annecy and the nearby mountains) the first British Airways flight landed in Heathrow airport. It looks like the air traffic ban has been lifted  in London after a 5 days shutdown and it seems a large part of the British air traffic is expected to resume its works.

I for once had made my contingency plans and checked out train time-tables and got permission to drive my hired car back to Calais if needed. Having said so I  don’t have to go back to the UK before the end of the week and I could think of worse places to be stranded than lake Annecy.

My husband is a keen skier and for him the choice of where to go is vast, as there are ski resorts all around Annecy itself.  These are a little smaller than your average Val d’Isere hotspots (although we have been known to travel to Tignes and Val a few times!), but still well equipped and offering good restaurants and facilities, ideal for both our palates! My husband’s favourites are La Clusaz and Megeve, but there are many other ski resorts nearby. If you browse this blog you will find all the nearby ski resorts. I am sure my husband has been going on about them in his own blog posts.

Of course, after sunning yourself for a while watching all the snow sports around you, it’s time to do some exercise of your own!  There are some lovely walks around the Lake itself with plenty of stops along the way to have a coffee.  For those who enjoy cycling, there are cycle paths to make the whole experience not only safer but much more enjoyable.  Simply cycle around and feel the fresh air and take in the breathtaking landscape, mountains all around, and of course the lake itself standing still and majestic at this time of year.

One of my favourite spots that I particularly like to go to each time I am in Annecy, is Col de la Forclaz or , a sight high up with 2 restaurants.  In the summer, it’s a great place to see the paragliders taking off while sampling some local aperitifs, but in the winter, the surroundings take on an enchanting presence.  The road to Col de Forcaz is a winding one to say the least, but it is well worth it, especially when you see the lake in its full glory.

So, after all the shopping, (Annecy Old Town is only a stone’s throw away wherever you stay in Annecy), walking, cycling or simply sightseeing is done- it’s back to the relaxation with that book, under the blanket with that sun on your face, BLISS!

Well, as I said, that was my first trip, now I am more confident with my choices as it’s just a matter of learning. Sans lardons, sans poisson and sans carne, things without meat etc work very well as the chefs really don’t like to alter their menu!!

My favourites are tartiflette, which is a creamy potato baked dish, scrummy, but again beware as it is mostly with lardons and pre-made, so best ask the waiter/ess. The only thing is you can’t get away from cheese in most meals when dining out, even pizzerias obviously, so one thing I try to do before my stay in Annecy,  keep off the stuff! Even vegetables rarely make an appearance on the menu, because they live on green salad – strange because at all the supermarches, the shoppers have leeks in their baskets, yet to appear on any menu? They have lentils and green beans occasionally, but sadly the lentils contain ham and the beans are cooked in goose fat. So annoying!

The best thing that has happened is that we now own a house, where I can delight in France’s amazing vegetables of all shapes and colours from the bustling markets or the supermarches. It’s hard to decide when my favourite season would be as in Spring the vegetables are all earthy and vibrant but in the Summer you have fruits that taste so different to those in England, it’s hard to imagine being the same fruit!

Well, lastly I would hope that I have not put you off visiting lake Annecy or France because it truly is worthwhile, even being a vegetarian! Just be well equipped with the knowledge that it may be difficult, but sticking to what they do have on the menu and adapting it would be the best advice. There will be an abundance of fresh salads that you can have, goats cheese being one that they often serve, in any season. If all else fails and you crave some variety as you may be staying like me, for 3 weeks or longer, you may want to rent somewhere, and you can be your own chef and shopper, great fun.

If fresh water sports are your passion, you will be in for a real treat. From early morning swimming, afternoon sailing or late evening water skiing, the lake got it all. The entire region comes to live and there is an abundance of outlets providing you with whatever water sport equipment your might require. Waterskiing, wake boarding, sailing, kayaking and diving are amongst the most popular water sports. You can also hire all kind of boats including speedboats.

Even if water sport is not your thing you can enjoy one of the many trail around and nearby the lake, perfect for cycling, hiking or even just a gentle walk.

The many villages along the lake come to live with fetes, festivals and weekly farmers markets. You will find something in the calendar on most days and if you are willing to make the effort you will be able to experience the traditional nature of this unique French region.

Talloires lake front lake Annecy

Lake Annecy also boasts on of the world’s most famous hang- and paragliding sites. It is a truly spectacular sight, watching all the colourful gliders in the sky. If you dare you can even enjoy a tandem flight for as little as 80 Euros. Both Talloires and Doussard are used as a base for many paragliding schools and tandem flight operators. Just pass the landing site in Doussard, have a drink, watch the spectacle unfold and make some enquiries. Your family and in particular your kids will love it.

Here my suggestions for lake Annecy activities during July:

• Book an even cruse with one of the operators in Annecy (based next to the main canal just in front of the Old Town) and enjoy lake and mountains whilst having a meal on board.
• Shop the many boutiques lining the narrow stone-paved streets alongside the canals in Annecy’s Old Town
• Relax lakeside in one of the many bars / restaurants – my favourites Chez Ma Cousin for evening dring or Chez Gerald (Bout du lake) for fish dinner.
• Visit the four day long Noctibules festival in Annecy
• Visit one of the many weekly local farmers markets.
• Visit the castle in Menthon St. Bernard and enjoy the stunning views over the lake
• Book a tandem paragliding flight from the top of Col De la Forclaz down to the landing site in Doussard.
• Sunbath on one of the many beaches around the lake.
• Enjoy an early morning swim in one of the cleanest lakes in Europe.
• Book a late afternoon waterski session with on of the local operators.

walking near lake Annecy

July is the time to sunbath, relax and enjoy all what the lake has to offer. Use the first day of your holiday to drive around the lake and find out just how much there is to be done. July is all about enjoying summer lake activities without limits.