Cidade Turismo
France

Before you go

Your trip to Annecy.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Annecy – Auvérnia-Ródano-Alpes Destination French Alps about 140 km from Lyon

How to get there

  • Aéroport international de Genève (GVA) Genebra (Suíça) · 45 km
  • Aéroport de Lyon-Saint-Exupéry (LYS) Colombier-Saugnieu · 125 km
  • Gare d'Annecy 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

The most used airport is Genebra (GVA), in Switzerland, about 45 km away, connected by buses and transfers. Lyon-Saint-Exupéry (LYS) is about 125 km away. Check before booking. From Paris-Gare de Lyon the TGV reaches Gare d'Annecy in about 4 hours.

How many days

One day is enough for the old town, the castle and a boat trip. With 2 days you can include the Gorges du Fier (March to October), Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard and Talloires. Annecy also serves as a base to visit Chamonix, about 1h30 by car.

When to go

From May to September, with boats on the lake, long days and tours running. July and August are the busiest months. In winter, from December to February, it's cold but the town operates; the ski resorts are nearby. Gorges du Fier and the Château de Menthon are open only part of the year.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Not needed for the town, which is explored on foot. To the lake there are boats, buses and a bike path. A car is useful for the Gorges du Fier, the Semnoz and villages around the lake. Parking in the centre is paid and limited.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Annecy
  1. Morning
    Old town and Palais de l'Isle

    Start early in the vieille ville, before the tour groups. Walk along the Thiou's canals, down Rue Sainte-Claire and Rue Perrière, and see the Palais de l'Isle from the outside and inside.

  2. Afternoon
    Château d'Annecy and lunch

    Have lunch in the old town, around 12:00–14:00, then walk up the ramp to the Château d'Annecy for the museum and the view over the rooftops and the lake.

  3. Late afternoon
    Boat on the lake and Pont des Amours

    Take a one-hour boat trip from the quay near the Pâquier, if it's the season. Then walk through the Jardins de l'Europe and cross the Pont des Amours.

  4. Evening
    Dinner by the Thiou

    Dine at a restaurant by the canals; dinner service usually starts from 19:30. Try a tartiflette or a fondue with Savoy cheeses.

2 days in Annecy

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Old town and Palais de l'Isle

    Explore the vieille ville on foot, with its canals, churches and the Palais de l'Isle, which can be visited inside.

  2. Afternoon
    Château d'Annecy

    After lunch, go up to the Château d'Annecy and allow 1 to 2 hours for the museum.

  3. Late afternoon
    Lake and Jardins de l'Europe

    Boat trip on the lake in season and a walk through the Jardins de l'Europe and the Pâquier.

  4. Evening
    Dinner in the Old Town

    Dinner in the streets around the Thiou, with Savoyard cuisine.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    Gorges du Fier

    Go early to the Gorges du Fier, in Lovagny, by car or taxi, and walk the footbridge over the canyon in about 1 hour. It is open from mid-March to mid-October.

  2. Afternoon
    Talloires and Menthon

    Follow the east shore of the lake to Talloires for lunch and visit the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard if it's open.

  3. Late afternoon
    Basilique de la Visitation

    On the way back, go up to the Basilique de la Visitation to see Annecy and the lake from above.

  4. Evening
    Lakeside

    Walk along the lakeside and have dinner near the centre.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How long is the train from Paris to Annecy?

About 4 hours by TGV from Paris-Gare de Lyon. Gare d'Annecy is a 10-minute walk from the old town.

How many days to stay in Annecy?

One day for the town and the lake; two days to include the Gorges du Fier, Talloires and the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard.

Can you go from Annecy to Chamonix?

Yes. It's about 100 km, roughly 1h30 by car. By public transport there are buses and trains with connections. Check timetables in advance.

What is the best time to visit?

From May to September, with boats running and long days. July and August are the busiest months.

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