Annecy Daytrips & Stopovers
If you’re on holiday in the French Alps, Annecy (and its magnificent lake) is a gem of a town that is great for a day trip, or a stopover on your way from, or to the airport at Geneva.
The combination of spending time in your favourite mountain resort like Chamonix, with the crystal clear waters and charming old town of Annecy is the perfect partnership.
Annecy – a great place to visit all year round
Visiting Annecy in Winter
Just imagine skiing one day and then enjoying the lakeside tranquillity the next! Annecy keeps its wonderful charm in the winter season, with cosy cafes, bustling brasseries and the year round market.
It’s a great time to visit the town’s landmark buildings and museums such as the Basilique de la Visitation on the hill (great panoramic views), the Saint Pierre Cathedral and the Annecy Chateau Museum.
You’ll love the shopping too, be it the market and boutique shops in and around the arcades of the Old Town, or the High Street shops of the Courier Centre. And why not round off all that with a lovely lakeside stroll?
Our top tip: Visit Annecy in December and you’ll be there for the huge Christmas market that takes place every year.
Visiting Annecy in Summer
Annecy certainly comes into its own in the summer season. The weather is glorious, the lake is glistening and you’re feeling relaxed, yet ready to explore.
Here’s our suggested itinerary for visiting Annecy on a day trip in summer:
– Start your day with a coffee and croissant in a local cafe bar, then head to the lakeside where you can:
- Enjoy the beach and swim in the lake at the Imperial Palace
- Go swimming in the Marquisats open-air pool
- Hire a pedalo (ones with the toboggan are most fun!)
- Sit and relax on the lawns of the Paquier
- Go wakeboarding or water skiing (early morning and late evening for calmer waters)/li>
- Hire a bike (if you’re super keen, ride the 42km route around the whole lake – clockwise is best!)
– For lunch – head into the Old Town, where you’ll find everything from classic brasserie’s serving the dish of the day, to sushi and pizza restaurants.
– After lunch, a sightseeing trip on one of the Compagnie des Bateaux d’Annecy’s boats is a great, relaxing way to see the fascinating shoreline from the water.
– In the evening, go into the Old Town for a wander and an aperitif, before picking your restaurant for your evening meal. And nothing beats a post-meal stroll around the Quai Napoleon III to round off your evening!
Getting to Annecy
Annecy is well placed and easy to get to from Geneva, Chambery and Grenoble Airports, as well as the various ski resorts around the Alps.
If you’re heading to Annecy directly from Geneva Airport it’s just a 30-minute journey on the motorway. You can reach the centre of Annecy in less than an hour from Chambery Airport and around 1.5 hours from Grenoble Airport.
Coming from resorts in the Grand Massif or Chamonix Valley areas, you will arrive at the Annecy end of the lake. From the Tarentaise resorts (Espace Killy, Three Valleys and Paradiski) your first glimpse of Lake Annecy will be at Doussard, the opposite end to Annecy town.
Let Mountain Drop offs take you to wonderful Annecy!
Contact us at Mountain Drop-offs to include a mountain stop off at Annecy the next time you are holidaying in the Alps, or to book a day trip to Annecy.
Photo credits: MartinaGrua@UnSplash / LacAnnecy TO FB / RaissaLara@UnSplash
