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TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
Why travel to Annecy: Find out the top 10 reasons to visit
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01
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A Sneak Peek into Annecy
- With white swans swimming through calm streams and background of snowcapped mountains, Annecy has all the makings of a fairy-tale setting.
- The Old Town (Vieille Ville) is a twisting maze of primarily pedestrian, cobblestone lanes dotted with exquisite structures, adding to the charm.
- Colourful geraniums adorn the windowsills of pastel-painted residences with decorative wrought-iron balconies.
- The town's canal footbridges and the lovely lakeside promenade are adorned with potted flowers.
- The town's storybook beauty will entice visitors to stroll through it.
- After being the residence of the Dukes of Savoy in the 15th century, the palace was converted to the Palace of Justice in the 16th century (Law Courts).
- Awe-inspiring natural attractions and world-class ski resorts can be found nearby.
- Outdoor activities are sparked by the breathtaking environment, while comfortable chalets and old-fashioned restaurants greet visitors in a classic alpine manner.
- Capital- Annecy
- International Airport: Chambery (CMF) Airport
- Population- 50 943
- Currency- Euro (EUR)
- Time: UTC+1
- Driving side- left
- Main Electricity: 230 V
- Official Language- French
- Religion- Catholics
02
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
Top Tourist Attractions in Annecy
- The Palais de l'Île, built in the 12th century and situated on an island in the Canal du Thiou, is Annecy's most photographed monument.
- The Musée-Château d'Annecy, perched on a hill above the town, offers breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
- The Lac d'Annecy, with its untouched alpine splendour and plethora of leisure options, entices visitors.
- The Rue Sainte-Claire, located near the Palais de l'Île, is the location to go to Annecy for shopping and dining.
03
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
Best Months to Visit Annecy
- The best time to visit Annecy is between September and October, when the weather is pleasant all year, and it does not yet peak travel season, so it will be less crowded.
- Temperatures in Annecy can reach a high of 27°C (80°F) during the summer months. Temperatures typically drop to -4°C (25°F) in the colder months, such as January.
- In August, the sun stays up the longest in Annecy, so make the most of your daytime activities if you visit during this month.
- Do you want to spend your holiday getting wet? If you want to avoid the rain, stay away from Annecy in December.
- If you want to enhance your chances of not getting rained on, go in September instead.
04
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
The Best Places to Visit in Annecy
Palais de l'Île
- The Palais de l'Île, built in the 12th century and situated on an island in the Canal du Thiou, is Annecy's most photographed monument.
- The best views and photo opportunities of the Palais de l'Île may be found on the Pont sur le Thiou (bridge).
- The palace appears fortress-like from this vantage point, with its robust quadrangular architecture mimicking a ship's bow.
- The Palais de l'Ile was initially built as a jail, but by the mid-14th century, it had been converted into a coin-minting workshop.
- After being the residence of the Dukes of Savoy in the 15th century, the palace was converted to the Palace of Justice in the 16th century (Law Courts).
- The Palais de l'Ile presently houses a modest museum with exhibits about regional architecture open to the public every day of the year.
- Some of the former prison cells are also open to the public.
Musée-Château d'Annecy
- The Musée-Château d'Annecy, perched on a hill above the town, offers breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
- From the Middle Ages until the Renaissance, the stronghold was built in stages.
- The Counts of Geneva lived here in the 13th and 14th centuries.
- The château's museum now includes regional history, mediaeval sculpture, landscape painting, and modern art, among other subjects.
- Throughout the year, there are additional temporary displays.
- Except on holidays and Tuesdays, the Musée-Château d'Annecy is open every year.
Eglise Saint-Maurice
- The Eglise Saint-Maurice is Annecy's oldest church and is designated as a historical monument.
- The Dominican convent used to have a chapel in this 15th-century church.
- By the nineteenth century, the structure had become the parish church for the town.
- The outside of the church features typical Flamboyant Savoyard architectural elements, while the interior has a more solemn tone.
- The 18th-century finely carved pulpit and a painting of the Virgin in Glory are notable works of art.
- The church continues to provide religious services and is open to the public for free visits all year.
05
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
Annecy Off the Beaten Track
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre
- The Cathédrale Saint-Pierre is accessed by a narrow side street and is somewhat concealed from view, yet it is well worth exploring.
- The cathedral of the Bishops of Geneva, which found refuge in Annecy during the Protestant Reformation, was built between 1535 and 1538.
- The building's exterior is distinguished by the harmonious proportions of Italian Renaissance architecture, particularly the Tuscan pilasters.
- The inside of the cathedral is predominantly Gothic, except for the Neoclassical choir, which originates from the 18th century.
- The sanctuary is illuminated by a fantastic rose window and three additional stained-glass windows.
- The church has served as the cathedral of the Diocese of Annecy.
- The Cathédrale Saint-Pierre is free of charge and open to the public all year.
Pont des Amours
- The appropriately titled "Lovers' Bridge" spans the Canal du Vassé, which flows from the Lac d'Annecy, in an exquisite setting beneath a canopy of green trees.
- This arched ironwork bridge seems to inspire romance with its gorgeous lakeside landscape.
- The Pont des Amours is a popular location for picture shoots, particularly engagement and wedding portraits.
- The Jardins de l'Europe park is a short walk from the bridge.
06
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
Annecy Culture and Traditions
- The historic quarter of Annecy is a genuine gem for anyone who enjoys going on adventures.
- More than twenty unique historic landmarks are available for visitors to see.
- This part of Annecy, known as Old Town, is located beside a river. The city core is made even more lovely and appealing by the numerous historic waterways.
- The canals' charming pedestrian pathways invite you to take a stroll, and the numerous ancient buildings near the sea are picture-perfect. Many Annecy inhabitants regard Le Palais de I'lle to be the city's most important historic icon.
- This historic castle is situated on a tiny artificial island in the Thiou Canal.
- The palace was built towards the beginning of the 12th century.
07
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
Annecy: Food, Fun & Fashion Guide
Fondue
#Food
- It's worth noting that fondue comes in various flavours (with mushrooms, without mushrooms, three kinds of cheese, and meat), so the possibilities are unlimited.
- They went with the classic three-cheese fondue, plus an extra dish of charcuterie for extra protein.
- The fondue is produced with three local kinds of cheese and a dry white wine to help cut the fat.
- The result is a lovely cheese soup that demands dipping a French baguette into the heated mélange with metal prongs. It's a little sadistic, but it's incredible.
- They were surprised by the quality of the meal and the reasonable costs, and the excellent service.
Bacon and cheese baguettes
#Food
- You don't have time to sit down at a restaurant, and you shouldn't lose out on the award-winning combo of cheese and bread.
- This bread is designed for the harried wild foods.
- L'Estaminet: Any of the many bakeries in Annecy, but there is one charming bakery right across from L'Estaminet in the old town that serves the most fantastic walnut tarts with honey.
- Also, walnut bread is fresh in the morning and has a balanced walnut to bread ratio.
Tartiflette
#Food
- Since arriving in France last year, I've heard numerous people extol the benefits of the Tartiflette.
- This is essentially a baked dish made with sliced potatoes, cream, lardons, and onions, topped with obscene amounts of cheese, and then baked.
- You'll also get the opportunity to go shopping at Burberry and Hermès.
- Savoyard Ramoneur: This delicacy, like fondue and raclette, is practically everywhere in Annecy.
- On the other hand, My Tartiflette was served at Le Ramoneur Savoyard, a wonderfully lovely tiny restaurant a few streets away from the canals' noise and bustle.
- The service is warm and pleasant, and the food is even more.
The legendary Galeries Lafayette
#Fashion
- Annecy is home to a branch of the famed Galeries Lafayette department store company.
- This is a must-see for everyone who appreciates high-end designer clothing and branded goods.
- This department store houses the city's most expensive stores. Galeries Lafayette's stores cater to premium shoppers, as one might anticipate.
- There are stores for well-known brands like Ralph Lauren and Armani.
- You'll also get the opportunity to go shopping at Burberry and Hermès.
- This department store has everything, from trendy designer garments to jewellery and perfumes from the most well-known European brands.
Rue Sainte-Claire
#Fashion
- The Rue Sainte-Claire, located near the Palais de l'Île, is the location to go to Annecy for shopping and dining.
- The vibrant Rue Sainte-Claire, one of the town's main streets, is filled with old-world charm.
- The historic character of arcaded townhouses originating from the 16th to 18th centuries has been preserved.
- Some of the homes have flowerbedecked windowsills that have been painstakingly maintained.
- Upmarket retail businesses, stylish cafés, fancy ice cream shops, and gourmet eating places line the arcaded part of the street's townhouses.
- Tourists will love shopping in the stores, grabbing a gelato, pausing for a coffee break, or dining at one of the charming eateries.
Chapellerie Pochat
#Fashion
- Don't miss Chapellerie Pochat, a historic hat shop in Annecy that opened more than forty years ago.
- The shop has been family-owned and operated since its inception.
- The proprietors are also the ones that make all of the hats for sale.
- The atelier is right next door to the business. Chapellerie Pochat sells headgear for women and men of all tastes.
- Visitors can always request a personalised hat in the atelier if the desired design is unavailable.
Camping Annecy L’Idéal
#Fun
- It appears to be a magnificent 3D lagoon encircled by pools, nestled in the mountains not far from Lake Annecy when viewed from above.
- The 600-square-meter water complex is unquestionably the crown jewel of Camping L'Idéal.
- After your excursions to the Haute-Savoie or during your days of relaxation, it will quickly become your gathering point.
- Because it contains several places, the entire family can select a space that suits them best.
- You can switch it up for optimal pleasure between the covered, heated pool for swimmers, the slides for the daring, the paddling pools and water activities for young bathers, a jacuzzi for athletes recovering from physical exercise, and a solarium for sunbathers.
Raft building
#Fun
- Each team will have to acquire the most points possible through a series of small and enjoyable skill, logic, memory, and speed trials to generate a ranking that will decide how much material you'll need to construct your raft!
- Memory games, a blind route with obstacles, ring throwing, badaboom, and a quiz (optional). Then, you'll imagine and build your raft using the given supplies (planks, logs, floats, straps, and ropes).
- You'll have to be resourceful!
- Before going out on the water, a professional will supervise each raft.
- Finally, get your paddles ready! During an actual race on the lake, you'll compete against the other teams: line start and final ranking!
08
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
Annecy: Natural Beauty & Safari Adventures
- The Doussard or Bout du Lac reserve is Lake Annecy's sole remaining marsh.
- Several creatures, including beavers, seek refuge in this marsh, spanned by two rivers.
- This site, designated as Natura 2000 in 1974, protects various fragile ecosystems that visitors can learn about on a one-hour walk.
- He'll come across various sceneries along the trip, including marshes, undergrowth, moors, meadows, and a reed bed.
- Thanks to a well-kept manicured trail, the Bout du Lac reserve is accessible to all types of pedestrians, including families with pushchairs and disabled people in wheelchairs.
- The return trip should take 45 minutes and an hour (1.7 km trail, 3.4 km in total). The first thing you'll notice is a cross placed on the site of Doussard's original church.
- After that, you'll come to a vast field and then the marsh. After that, you'll walk along a stilted path that leads to Lake Annecy.
- Before making a U-turn, stop to see and climb to the top of the mediaeval Beauvivier Tower and the beavers that live beside the Eau Morte river.
09
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
Annecy Must-Attend Festivals and Events
- The lake is turned into Europe's largest pyrotechnic display beginning in August.
- You'll be treated to a fireworks extravaganza accentuated by music, lights, and special water effects for almost an hour and a half.
- The origins of this enormous display can be traced back to a Venetian celebration held in 1860 to commemorate Napoleon III's arrival.
- The festival is a forerunner in the field of animation, with a wide range of workshops and seminars on topics such as funding and marketing animated films.
- It is France's most prominent animation film festival and one of the most important of its kind in Europe.
- The festival, which used to take place every two years, became an annual event in 1998.
- It is one of the Association Internationale du Film d'Animation's four international animated film festivals (or ASIFA, the International Animated Film Association).
FAQs to Plan Your Best Annecy Holiday
Places similar to Annecy to visit
Places similar to Annecy to visit
Places similar to Annecy to visit