Annecy
The 'Venice of the Alps' tag undersells it: Annecy pairs a canal-threaded medieval old town with a lake so clean it's routinely called Europe's purest.
- Best forCouples · Walkers & hikers · Photographers
- In November11°C · 13 rainy days
- Ideal stay2-3 nights
- Approx. flying time~11h 55m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyEUREuro
- LanguageFrench
- Local time13:131h ahead of the UK
- PlugsType C / EBring an adapter
- Drive on theRightOpposite to the UK
- Dialling code+33
Why go
A medieval town of canals and painted houses sits at the top of a lake routinely described as the cleanest in Europe, with the Bauges and Aravis ranges rising on either side. The water is cold, clear and swimmable from May onwards, and a flat cycle path runs the length of the western shore. In town, arcaded streets and a castle on the hill handle the rest of the day.
Two or three nights covers the town and the lake, more if you want to walk or fly. Summer is warm and crowded, autumn quiet and clear, and winter puts the ski areas of La Clusaz and Le Grand-Bornand within forty minutes. Geneva is an hour away, which explains the weekend traffic. Anyone hoping for a quiet Alpine backwater in August will be disappointed.
- Ideal stay
- 2-3 nights
- The vibe
- Turquoise water, arcades, mountain air
From our guides
Hire a bike and ride the flat lakeside voie verte to Talloires for lunch, swimming wherever the water looks irresistible — which is everywhere. Stay midweek if you can; Saturdays bring half of Geneva. The Tuesday and Friday old-town markets are worth planning around.
Featured in Ten lake-and-mountain towns for a perfect summer week
Things to do
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The old town canals
The Thiou runs through arcaded streets past a twelfth century island prison, now a small museum, and it is at its best early in the morning.
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The cycle path to Talloires
A flat, traffic free route follows the old railway down the western shore, with swimming spots along the way and a lakeside village at the end.
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Plage d'Albigny and the Pâquier
A large lawn and public beach at the edge of town give free access to the water and a view straight down the lake to the mountains.
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Paragliding at Col de la Forclaz
Tandem flights launch from the pass above the eastern shore and land by the water, and the road up is a viewpoint in its own right.
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Market days
Old town stalls sell Savoyard cheese, charcuterie and produce on Tuesdays and Fridays, with a bigger, more local market on Sunday mornings.
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Semnoz
The forested ridge above town is a short drive up, with meadows, marked walks and a view across to Mont Blanc on a clear day.
Getting there
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Fly to
Geneva (GVA)
Nearest airport to Annecy, about 38km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Annecy
Annecy's own airport (NCY) is ten minutes from town but takes few flights; most visitors fly to Geneva and take the direct coach or train, around an hour and a quarter.
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On the ground
Getting around
The old town and lakefront are entirely walkable, and the flat lakeside cycle path to Talloires is the best way to see the water.
Public transport: Trains link Annecy with Lyon, Geneva and Paris, and lake boats and buses serve the villages around the shore.
Flights
Los Angeles Annecy, France
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Roughly 11h 55m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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When to go
Daytime highs run from about 6°C in January to 25°C in July. Driest January to March and August; wettest in June, with rain on about 19 days.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
November11° · rain 13 daysCold and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Small old-town hotels, lakeside three and four-stars, holiday apartments and a big campsite market on the western shore. Chains sit out by the ring road.
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Best base overall
Annecy old town
Canals, arcaded streets and the markets on your doorstep, with the lake a two-minute walk. Rooms are small, and Friday and Saturday nights are noisy in the centre.
Find stays in Annecy old town -
Best with children
Annecy-le-Vieux
East along the lake, residential and calm, with grassy beaches and the cycle path into town. Quiet at night, and you walk or ride fifteen minutes for restaurants.
Find stays in Annecy-le-Vieux -
Best for couples
Talloires and Menthon
The pretty eastern shore, with lake-front terraces and swimming from the hotel gardens. Expensive, and the lake road jams solid on summer weekends.
Find stays in Talloires and Menthon -
Best value
Sévrier and Saint-Jorioz
The western shore, with campsites, apartments and family hotels at markedly lower rates and a bus into town. Less charming, and the road runs between you and the water.
Find stays in Sévrier and Saint-Jorioz
Worth knowing before you book: Weekends fill with visitors from Geneva and Lyon, so stay midweek if you can. July and August book by spring, and lakeside parking is charged and scarce.
Search everything else in Annecy by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Timing
- Weekends bring day trippers from Geneva and Lyon. Midweek is calmer, and the lake is warm enough to swim from late June to September.
- Getting there
- Geneva airport is about an hour by road or coach, and direct trains run from Paris in under four hours.
- Pack this
- Swimming things from May onwards, plus water shoes, since several of the best lake entries are shingle.
- Cash or card
- Cards are accepted almost everywhere, though small market stalls still prefer cash.
- Driving
- Old town parking is limited and mostly underground. Leave the car once you have arrived and walk or cycle instead.
Similar places
Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden
GermanyAlso for couples and walkers & hikers · 9°C in November (11°C here)
Lake Bled
SloveniaAlso for couples and walkers & hikers · 10°C in November, as here · cheaper to stay
Snowdon Mountain Railway
WalesAlso for walkers & hikers and photographers · 11°C in November, as here
Nearby destinations
Montreux Jazz
Switzerland · 37km away →
Megève
France · 38km away →
Les Gets
France · 50km away →
Morzine
France · 55km away →
Chamonix
France · 57km away →
Aiguille du Midi
Chamonix, France · 59km away →Elsewhere in France
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Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Annecy?
Daytime highs run from about 6°C in January to 25°C in July. Driest January to March and August; wettest in June, with rain on about 19 days.
How long should I spend in Annecy?
Our suggestion: 2-3 nights.
How do I get to Annecy?
Annecy's own airport (NCY) is ten minutes from town but takes few flights; most visitors fly to Geneva and take the direct coach or train, around an hour and a quarter.
Do I need a car in Annecy?
No. Trains link Annecy with Lyon, Geneva and Paris, and lake boats and buses serve the villages around the shore.
What currency and language are used in Annecy?
Currency: Euro (EUR). Language: French. Plugs: type C and E.
Who is Annecy best for?
Best for couples, walkers & hikers and photographers. In a phrase: turquoise water, arcades, mountain air.