TravelTips24 : Europe : France : Southeastern France : Rhône-Alpes : Annecy

Annecy

Annecy [1] in the North of the French Alps, is the Venice of Savoie -- a well deserved title. The medieval town centre built around a 14th Century Chateau is dissected by small canals and streams running out of Lac Annecy, which is clean, fresh and a wonderful azure colour. Annecy is also the prefecture of the département of Haute-Savoie.

Travel to Annecy & Visa Requirements

Annecy is a popular day trip from nearby Geneva, Switzerland (bring your passport for the border crossing).

Geneva is the nearest major international airport and is well served from across Europe and beyond. A little further away is Lyon, a full international airport, and Grenoble, which is focussed on low cost and winter flights [2]. Both are about a one-hour drive by car or bus. The airport at Annecy only has flights to Paris.

Annecy attractions and sightseeing

Events

  • April: A cozy village festival is held, a great place to bring the family. Rides and vendors are abundent, along with the great french cuisine. The festival lines Lac Annecy and is very peaceful and beautiful.
  • June : One of the biggest animation festivals is held in Annecy (6 days)
  • July : Noctibules festival during the nights (4 days)
  • The first week-end of August is the Lake Festival (Fête du Lac) with attractions around the lake and a great fireworks. This event brings more than 100'000 spectators.
  • October : "Descente des Alpages" or "Return from Alpine Pastures". Occurs once a year on the second Saturday of October. This is a traditional farmers' festival with local music, food and entertainment. See pictures from this festival

Annecy city tours

  • Swim, row or sail on the lake
  • Hike on the mountains around the city
  • Bike around the lake, or up in the mountains if you are in good shape.
  • Hangliding above the lake from the Col de la Forclaz (~20km)
  • Shop the many boutiques lining the narrow stone-paved streets. A large, modern mall can also be found in the newer part of the city.
  • Films a theatre near the large mall showing multiple films for your enjoyment.

Annecy Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

For between meals try the Italian ice cream shops, favored by the locals, located on the numerous pedestrian-only by-ways that weave the city and river together.

Another suggestion is the brioche (sweet roll) and other goodies to be found at the boulangeries (bakeries) in town.

Annecy cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

Bed & Breakfast, youth hostel exist. Surrounding mountains and lake activities are draining a large number of tourist during the summer and more and more during the winter season. Several winter sport resorts being in 30' drive.

Annecy souvenirs & shopping

Annecy has a number of local artisan shops as well as many European chain boutiques.

There is a market (marché) each Sunday morning in the pedestrian streets of the medieval city. Le marché is an open air market with the freshest fruits and vegetables.

Cope

The town itself gets ridiculously busy in July but September brings less folk- visit then when the air is clearer and the views to the mountains are better.

Get out

This page was last edited at 19:11, on 7 October 2008 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Jesse Miers, Denis Martin, Nick Roux, Jani Patokallio, Stephen Colebourne, Michele Ann Jenkins and Jean-Claude MORAND, Wikitravel user(s) AnnJacks and Episteme, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.

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