My Lake Annecy

August is where lake Annecy is at its warmest and general air temperatures at its hottest. Average temperatures are normally well above 30C and you need to find a shady place to avoid the hot afternoon sun.  A dip in the lake will offer welcome relieve any time during the day.  A vacancy in August offers everything you would expect from a true hot summer holiday.

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.